    [Senate Hearing 119-14]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                             S. Hrg. 119-14

                          LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF
                     DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AND MULTI VSOs:
                          AMVETS, VIETNAM VETERANS OF
                        AMERICA, MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE
                        HEART, BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION,
                       VETERANS EDUCATION SUCCESS, GOLD STAR
                          WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., AND
                        RESERVE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

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

                                 JOINT HEARING

                                   BEFORE THE

                         COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

                                     OF THE

                                 UNITED STATES
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                    AND THE

                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                               FEBRUARY 25, 2025

                                   __________

           Printed 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
    59-384 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 2025

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

                     SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

                         Jerry Moran, Kansas, Chairman
    John Boozman, Arkansas               Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut,
    Bill Cassidy, Louisiana                  Ranking Member
    Thom Tillis, North Carolina          Patty Murray, Washington
    Dan Sullivan, Alaska                 Bernard Sanders, Vermont
    Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee          Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii
    Kevin Cramer, North Dakota           Margaret Wood Hassan, New
    Tommy Tuberville, Alabama                Hampshire
    Jim Banks, Indiana                   Angus S. King, Jr., Maine
    Tim Sheehy, Montana                  Tammy Duckworth, Illinois
                                         Ruben Gallego, Arizona
                                         Elissa Slotkin, Michigan

                         David Shearman, Staff Director
                    Tony McClain, Democratic 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           Chris Pappas, New Hampshire
    Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa       Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick,
    Gregory F. Murphy, North Carolina        Florida
    Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin         Morgan McGarvey, Kentucky
    Morgan Luttrell, Texas               Delia C. Ramirez, Illinois
    Juan Ciscomani, Arizona              Nikki Budzinski, Illinois
    Keith Self, Texas                    Timothy M. Kennedy, New York
    Jennifer A. Kiggans, Virginia        Maxine Dexter, Oregon
    Abe Hamadeh, Arizona                 Herb Conaway, New Jersey
    Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Northern       Kelly Morrison, Minnesota
        Mariana Islands
    Tom Barrett, Michigan

                           Jon Clark, Staff Director
                      Matt Reel, Democratic Staff Director

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------

                               February 25, 2025

                                                                       Page

                                REPRESENTATIVES

    Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman, U.S. Representative from Illinois......     1
    Hon. Mark Takano, Ranking Member, U.S. Representative from
      California.....................................................     4
    Hon. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, U.S. Representative from
      American Samoa.................................................    16
    Hon. Chris Pappas, U.S. Representative from New Hampshire........    18
    Hon. Jack Bergman, U.S. Representative from Michigan.............    19
    Hon. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, U.S. Representative from Florida    21
    Hon. Morgan Luttrell, U.S. Representative from Texas.............    22
    Hon. Morgan McGarvey, U.S. Representative from Kentucky..........    23
    Hon. Abe Hamadeh, U.S. Representative from Arizona...............    24
    Hon. Nikki Budzinski, U.S. Representative from Illinois..........    25
    Hon. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, U.S. Representative from Northern
      Mariana Islands................................................    26
    Hon. Kelly Morrison, U.S. Representative from Minnesota..........    27
    Hon. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. Representative from Iowa.....    28
    Hon. Delia Ramirez, U.S. Representative from Illinois............    45
    Hon. Maxine Dexter, U.S. Representative from Oregon..............    47
    Hon. Herb Conaway, U.S. Representative from New Jersey...........    48

                                    SENATORS

    Hon. Jerry Moran, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Kansas.............     3
    Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from
      Connecticut....................................................     5
    Hon. Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator from Maine.................    16
    Hon. Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator from North Carolina...............    17
    Hon. Margaret Wood Hassan, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire.......    30

                                   INTRODUCER

    Hon. Pete Aguilar, U.S. Representative from California...........     8

                                   WITNESSES
                                    Panel I

    Daniel Contreras, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans.     9

      accompanied by

      Jim Marszalek, National Service Director

      Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director

       Edward R. Reese, Jr., Executive Director, Washington
        Headquarters

      Barry Jesinoski, National Adjutant

      John Kleindienst, National Director of Voluntary Service

      Lamarr Couser, National Employment Director

      Christopher Easley, Auxiliary National Commander

                                    Panel II

    Horace Johnson, National Commander, AMVETS.......................    32

    Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America....    33

    Robert Olivarez Jr., National Commander, Military Order of the
      Purple Heart...................................................    35

    Paul L. Mimms, National President, Blinded Veterans Association..    36

    William Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans and Military Policy,
      Veterans Education Success.....................................    38

    Nancy Menagh, Past National President, Gold Star Wives of
      America, Inc...................................................    40

    Matthew L. Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military
      Policy, Reserve Organization of America........................    41

                                    APPENDIX
                              Prepared Statements

    Daniel Contreras, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans.    55

    Horace Johnson, National Commander, AMVETS.......................    89

    Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America....   100

    Robert Olivarez Jr., National Commander, Military Order of the
      Purple Heart...................................................   115

    Paul L. Mimms, National President, Blinded Veterans Association..   120

    William Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans and Military Policy,
      Veterans Education Success.....................................   137

    Nancy Menagh, Past National President, Gold Star Wives of
      America, Inc...................................................   167

    Matthew L. Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military
      Policy, Reserve Organization of America........................   176

                           Submissions for the Record

    Statement of Alfred J. ``Al'' Lipphardt, National Commander,
      Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).................................   213

    Reports submitted by Disabled American Veterans (DAV):

       G``Ending the Wait for Toxic-Exposed Veterans: A Post-
        PACT Act
        Blueprint for Reforming the VA Presumptive Process''

        (available online: www.dav.org/ending-the-wait/)

       G``The Independent Budget: Fiscal Years 2026 and
        2027''

        (available online: www.independentbudget.org)

       G``Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness''

        (available online: www.dav.org/women-veterans-study/)

    LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AND MULTI VSOs:
       AMVETS, VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE
     HEART, BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION, VETERANS EDUCATION SUCCESS, GOLD
        STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., AND RESERVE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

                                  ----------

                           TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025

                 U.S. House of Representatives,
                                       and U.S. Senate,
                                Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The Committees met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in Room
    390, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman of
    the Veterans' Affairs Committee, presiding.

        Present:

        Representatives Bost, Radewagen, Bergman, Miller-Meeks,
    Luttrell, Hamadeh, King-Hinds, Barrett, Takano, Brownley,
    Pappas, Cherfilus-McCormick, McGarvey, Ramirez, Budzinski,
    Kennedy, Dexter, Conaway, and Morrison.

        Senators Moran, Tillis, Banks, Sheehy, Blumenthal, Hassan,
    and King.

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

        Chairman Bost. Good morning. I want to thank you all for
    being here. Welcome to my Senate colleagues, Chairman Moran,
    Ranking Member Blumenthal, and I would also like to thank DAV's
    National Commander, Daniel Contreras and his wife Teresa for
    being here today. Thank you.
        I would also like to give a welcome to DAV Auxiliary
    National Commander Christopher Easley. Thank you for being
    here. And I'm pleased that there are folks here from the great
    State of Illinois.
        Voices. Hooah.
        If you would stand, I would just love to see you. Good to
    see you. Thank you for being here.
        [Applause.]
        I have to be real careful because we want to include all of
    Illinois, but being from Southern Illinois, we capitalize the
    ``S'' there, so people don't realize how far out of Chicago I
    live. But thank you for traveling here from our home state. I
    want to say a special thank you for that.
        So, we want to give a warm welcome to everybody. But before
    we get started, I would like to acknowledge a couple of people
    that--if you are around here, you are around. These two are
    very very close to this Committee and DAV should be proud of
    who they are and the job that they do, and that's Peter
    Dickinson and Shane Liermann.
        [Applause.]
        And for all of their national staff. But let me tell you,
    they work hard on your behalf--veterans--they make a real
    difference for you. And I want to tell you that we are
    continuing to keep them in our prayers as they are trying to
    heal up. Both of them have had a health issue and we are hoping
    for their speedy recovery.
        Well, this Congress marks a decade on this sacred
    Committee. And this is my second term as Chairman, and it is an
    honor to serve you. The mission of the VA Committee has always
    been personal to me. Many of you have heard my story of how I
    grew up around veterans, how my father, Army veteran and his
    brothers; my grandfather, one Navy, one Marine.
        Voices. Hooah.
        Chairman Bost. Hooah, yes. An uncle, a Marine in Vietnam
    that was victim of the ultimate oxymoron, friendly fire, but
    was very successful in life and still alive and doing well, and
    that has a whole lot to do to the VA and his services he
    received there. Myself, as a Marine, my son as a Marine, my
    grandson is a Marine.
        Voices. Hooah.
        Chairman Bost. Hooah. So you know how personal this is to
    me. And every time I sit at this dais, I am reminded of how
    important this is and the debating, whether it is debating with
    the Agency or the other side of the aisle, it is always my
    focus is on the veteran.
        Many of you have watched me and known me around here, and
    you see this dirty bracelet cord right here? I have worn that
    ever since coming to Congress. And then I am going to tell you
    the story on that, because about a year and a half ago, the guy
    who gave me that, we lost him. We just knew him as Lieutenant
    Dan, and he is a Vietnam veteran. And he made these cords, and
    he came to me just after I was elected to Congress, and he
    said, I am going to give you a couple of these, and I want you
    to wear them on a regular basis, he says, because every time
    you look down, I want you to remember who you serve, and that
    helps tremendously.
        Now, for me, it has always been about the veterans. It is
    not about protecting government bureaucracy. I know the
    sacrifices each of you have made, especially our disabled
    veterans community. Each of you has fought to protect our
    Constitutional rights. I am particularly proud of the work DAV
    has done to help disabled veterans and their spouses find
    meaningful employment. You know, in the testimony that is given
    by you today, that recovery from an injury is not complete
    until the veterans are able to find meaning and purpose. I look
    forward to hearing more about what the DAV is doing to help
    disabled veterans and spouses reach their professional goals
    and how Congress can help.
        DAV plays a vitally important role in making sure we
    advance common sense proposals and conduct oversight to meet
    the needs of the entire veteran community, no matter where they
    live or where they want to work. Veterans should have the
    freedom to use the benefits of VA that VA offers in exchange
    for their service to meet their individual needs. And they
    shouldn't spend hours driving in a car to get them, or combing
    through wonky paperwork for months on end, or needless waiting
    for a phone call to get a simple answer. You know where VA is
    falling short, and you know where we need to push the Agency to
    bring it out of the Stone Age and into the New Age.
        You have my commitment that as long as I am in charge, we
    will continue to fight for you. The hundreds and thousands of
    veterans outside the DCA Beltway who just want their health
    care on time and their benefits when they need them. You know
    this old corporal takes this mission seriously and I know our
    new VA Secretary and my friend Doug Collins does too.
        Under President Trump's leadership, I know we are going to
    put you, the veteran, and the VA service back at the center of
    VA mission. And when the bureaucracy tries to get in the way, I
    will continue to be the first to hold them accountable and get
    the answers for you.
        We made great progress through the Dole Act last Congress
    and I appreciate DAV's support for this legislation. By working
    together, we can accomplish some tremendous wins. Because of
    the Dole Act, we have a law that will help streamline the
    disability claims process, reduce veterans homelessness,
    strengthen mental health care and improve access to at-home
    care and much more.
        The Dole Act was a great victory for our veterans, but
    there is much more that we can do and will do with your help.
    Now, my door has always been and will continue to be open to
    you. We must deliver for our veterans to protect their health
    care choice, expand economic and educational opportunities,
    streamline benefits, and get it done. I promise to keep up the
    fight we all are in together. Now is not the time to take our
    foot off the gas. I look forward to completing our mission
    alongside of you. Thank you again for being here today and with
    that I now recognize Chairman Moran for his opening comments.

                 OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,
                   CHAIRMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS

        Chairman Moran. Chairman Bost, thank you. Thank you for
    hosting this joint hearing and we look forward to this
    continuing. The Senate will host in a few weeks, and we will
    see you on our side of the building. But it is good to be here
    with you. It is good to be here with your Members. Good to be
    here with my Ranking Member, Senator Blumenthal, and the
    Ranking Member of the House, Senator--Congressman Takano, and I
    welcome our VSOs, our witnesses, and those here present and
    those at home watching. I too say a special hello to all VSO
    members that are here or tuning in today from Kansas. I am
    grateful to the VSO leadership testifying today. I have met, we
    have discussed, and being here in person now to share their
    great passion and expertise for supporting veterans, their
    families and their survivors.
        Policies and programs that we will discuss today depend
    upon a strong and effective workforce at the VA to deliver the
    care and benefits veterans deserve. I am committed to working
    with VSOs and my colleagues to make certain that the necessary
    VA workforce is preserved as VA implements new federal
    workforce guidance. This Committee has asked, the Senate
    committee has asked for lists of those who are impacted by
    actions, broken down by location and occupation. The VA has
    said none of these employees were in mission-critical
    positions, including no VCL responders. The VA has said there
    is a process in place that allows for the first senior
    executive in an impacted employee's chain of command to request
    an exemption. I have asked for and expect to receive, but I am
    continuing to wait for further details about this process.
        The VA must be forthcoming and transparent to Congress, to
    VSOs, to the public, to its workforce regarding workforce
    strategy. We are all engaged in attempts to root out any waste,
    fraud, or abuse that is prevalent or is present. And we are all
    interested in putting the veteran first. We await additional
    answers to our questions.
        I thank you and I look forward to today's hearing.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Chairman Moran. I now recognize
    Ranking Member Takano for his opening comment.

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

        Mr. Takano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today we continue our
    annual tradition of jointly welcoming veterans service
    organizations to testify before Congress about their
    legislative priorities. And I am pleased to welcome our first
    panel of the National Commander and representatives of the
    Disabled American Veterans, and our second panel
    representatives from AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, the
    Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Blinded Veterans
    Association, Veterans Education Success, the Gold Star Wives of
    America, and the Reserve Organization of America. And I would
    like to extend a special welcome to DAV's National Commander,
    Dan Contreras, who hails from Sherman Oaks, California. We are
    practically neighbors and it is great to see you again, sir.
        And speaking of Californians, are there any Californians in
    the room this morning? [Applause.] I see one very special one
    at the very center of the table. I know he is there to
    introduce you, Mr. Contreras. He is my neighbor.
        These hearings are important because they are a great
    opportunity for us to hear from the VSOs about issues impacting
    veterans in their daily lives. And it was at these hearings in
    2022, when the VSOs stood in solidarity calling on Congress to
    pass the Honoring our PACT Act that finally convinced the
    holdouts to get on board. Without you, we would have never
    passed the largest expansion of veterans health care and
    benefits since the Vietnam War. Without you, millions of
    veterans would still be struggling to access health care for
    the toxic exposure they experienced in their service to our
    country. I will always be grateful to the VSOs for helping us
    get it done.
        As I have said since it passed, the PACT Act was never
    meant to be a one and done. There is still so much more work to
    be done because the PACT was not only about toxic exposure, it
    is also about our promise to ensure that veterans have access
    to their care and benefits and that we do everything we can to
    end veteran homelessness and veteran suicide. Address the new
    categories of illness and injury associated with military
    service, for example blast injury and military traumatic brain
    injury. Finally, achieve Guard and Reserve parity. Ensure that
    VA is welcoming to all veterans who have earned the right to be
    there. Ensure that VA's infrastructure can support its mission
    and so much more.
        But unfortunately, given today's political climate, I am
    not optimistic about our chances. I am afraid these hearings
    are occurring in a very different atmosphere this year. Now, I
    have grave concerns about how President Trump's Executive
    orders are being carried out across the Federal Government,
    most especially at the Department of Veterans Affairs. And yes,
    Chairman Moran, I too, have questions, and I too think that
    veterans deserve those answers to the questions we have.
        I question how purging the workforce, firing the watchdogs,
    and making VA hostile to certain veterans is helping VA serve
    veterans better. I think serving veterans is why we are all
    here. It is certainly why I am here and why I serve on this
    Committee, because I think there is no higher calling or honor
    than to serve those who have served.
        Since he was sworn in, I have requested information from
    Secretary Collins about his implementation of the Executive
    orders and his employment actions against VA employees, none of
    which he has responded to. This is very troubling. We deserve
    answers.
        It is my hope that I can count on the VSO community to help
    us hold VA accountable to all veterans and that you will also
    hold Congress accountable by making sure action is behind our
    words. That we are being held accountable for carrying out our
    Constitutional oversight responsibilities by asking tough
    questions, demanding answers, and taking legislative action
    when it is needed. We cannot waver on this because we know that
    veterans are depending on us. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield
    back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Takano. I now recognize
    Ranking Member Blumenthal for his opening comment.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
             RANKING MEMBER, U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT

        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to
    thank you and the Ranking Member on the House side and my
    Chairman on the Senate side for your leadership. These issues
    have been bipartisan, and I think the record ought to reflect,
    Mr. Chairman, that we have a full room, standing room only.
    Thank you all for being here today and showing your solidarity
    with the veterans of America. [Applause.] And we may have a
    couple of people from Connecticut, I am not sure, but welcome
    to all of you. A few.
        As the Chairman indicated, we are here today in support of
    veterans, and it is very much a family affair. Less than 1
    percent of all Americans these days have anything to do with
    service in our military, but they are among the most deserving,
    the most patriotic, the most dedicated among us. Two of my sons
    have served, one as a combat infantry officer in Afghanistan in
    the Marine Corps [Cheering], and the other as a Navy SEAL
    [Cheering]. And they are both proud veterans, and they keep me
    on the straight and narrow.
        We are here today at a pretty momentous and important time,
    and I am just going to be very blunt. Our VA is under assault.
    The veterans of America are under assault. Just last night,
    another 1400 members of the veterans family were fired from
    their VA jobs. Many of those who were fired are themselves
    veterans who have dedicated their life to serving veterans.
    That brings the number to, now, 2400 who have been fired with
    no credible explanation. And I recommend to you the statement
    that was issued by the Veterans of Foreign Wars National
    Commander Al Lipphardt just last night. I am not going to read
    it all, but I ask Mr. Chairman that it be entered into the
    record if there is no objection. It says, and I am quoting,
    ``we are losing people who are genuinely committed to the
    mission and find a continued sense of purpose in what they
    do.'' That describes just about all of our VA employees who
    have dedicated their lives, many of them, to serving our
    veterans.
        This past month's assault, in my view, on the VA workforce
    and on the federal workforce generally, will do significant and
    irreparable harm to the delivery of your care and benefits. As
    I mentioned, just last night, Secretary Collins fired another
    1400 more employees without notice and without cause, and all
    in the name of cost savings, even though we all know that the
    costs will be higher in the long run. If you don't care for a
    veteran when he or she needs it now, it will only be more
    expensive later.
        As veterans, you deserve a VA comprised of the very best
    medical providers, claims processors, cemetery directors, and
    other critical staff, regardless of cost. But in this instance,
    the cost will be higher from these supposed savings. In the
    name of eliminating waste, Elon Musk and DOGE are laying waste
    to the VA. And the VA National Commander put it well, when he
    said that Elon Musk is bull-``DOGE''-ing the VA and other
    agencies.
        The attacks on the VA staff since January 20th are already
    having real-life impacts in the field. And all of you are
    hearing from our fellow veterans. All of you are hearing their
    stories, their individual life impacts. My office spoke to one
    employee last night moments after she found out that she had
    been terminated from her job with the Veterans Crisis Line,
    which of course saves people when they are thinking about
    taking their own lives. She is a 100 percent service-connected
    disabled veterans and an active-duty military spouse with
    outstanding performance reviews. Her job is to ensure training
    is provided to other Veterans Crisis Line responders,
    empowering them to do their jobs better.
        Another 100 percent disabled veteran who served his country
    for 14 years, did four combat tours and has 10 years of
    service. Fired. A veteran who was the lead coordinator on
    dozens of contracts for VA and had a 5 out of 5 performance
    rating on her last review. Fired. A disabled Army veteran who
    successfully transitioned out of homelessness and now has a
    bachelor's and two master's degrees and who chose to serve his
    fellow veterans on the Veterans Health Administration. Fired. I
    could spend the rest of the morning with the list. Real-life
    impacts.
        These men and women weren't fired because of poor
    performance. They were arbitrarily fired because someone looked
    at an algorithm or at a status and saw probationary. Even
    though they might have been promoted and are in a probationary
    status in that new job, and decided, fired.
        If you believe that the VA is a system worth saving, and I
    think everybody in this room does, we are going to need your
    help. We are going to need you to be the voice and face of
    millions, and I mean millions of veterans across the country
    whose care and benefits is at stake. As we begin the first of
    six panels over the next two weeks, my fellow lawmakers in both
    the House and the Senate need you to be bold, candid, and
    strong.
        The VFW National Commander noted that next week on March
    4th, he is going to be here before this Committee and he said,
    ``I want to see hats in the hallways of our Capitol as our
    legislative committee members engage with lawmakers in
    demanding that they, `Honor the Contract,' the government has
    made with those who have already served and sacrificed so much
    for America. It is time to apply pressure and stop the
    bleeding.''
        I hope we see hats in the hallways. I hope we see heads in
    the hallways from all of you and others. And I really want to
    thank you for being here today. This picture is worth a
    thousand words. Let us keep fighting. Thank you. I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. I have said this once, I
    will say it again. I trust Secretary Collins in doing the right
    thing for veterans, taxpayers, to effectively right size and
    reorganize VA to work better for men and women it serves. One,
    because he is himself a veteran, and two, because he knows the
    mission in serving veterans. As Chairman and as a veteran
    myself, my mission is the same. Veterans, the people sitting in
    front of us right now, are my number one priority, not
    protecting bureaucracy. Let me say that again. Veterans who are
    sitting in front of me right now are who I am fighting for, not
    bureaucracy. That should be and will continue to be the
    priority of Republicans on this Committee. We would be lying to
    each other and all of you if we said that everything at the VA
    is perfect and there aren't any improvements that need to be
    made to make the Agency work better. Now, that includes the
    workforce. I take Secretary Collins at his word when he says
    there will be no impact to the delivery of care, benefits,
    services for our veterans in this plan. My colleagues on the
    other side of the aisle continue to spread false information
    about what has happened and to scare and use veterans as pawns.
        VA has reduced its workforce by less than 1 percent. Let me
    say that again--by less than 1 percent. You do understand that
    there is over 400,000 employees in the VA. I also want to say
    the VA had a record of hiring and a surge over this last year.
    The last administration acknowledged many times that they were
    over-hiring and were hoping to manage this problem through
    employment employee turnover. We have heard this song before,
    and I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will
    stop using veterans and their families as political posturing.
        I trust that Secretary Collins and President Trump, are
    doing the right thing for the millions of veterans VA serves.
    As long as I am Chairman, I will continue to focus on the
    results for those men and women who have served and our
    veterans who we are serving, not the bureaucracies. And let me
    also say this. Not only are veterans veterans, they are also
    taxpayers. They are also concerned that they want to make sure
    that when they go to the VA, they receive the services that
    they need to and that the bureaucracy hasn't grown so big that
    they are focusing on other areas than the physical treatments
    that they need to receive at the VA or the mental health they
    need to receive at the VA.
        There is nothing wrong with making sure that our VA is
    operating best for you, and understand that is where we are at.
    And I look forward to making sure we move forward in a way that
    the services are provided at the rate and the place and the
    time that the veteran needs them, not having to jump through
    the hoops that I talked about earlier in my opening statement.
        But with that, let us get back to the business at hand.
    Improving the delivery, care, and services, and benefits. VA
    for you. With that, I will now want to yield to Representative
    Aguilar to introduce the Disabled American Veterans Commander.
    Representative Aguilar, you are now recognized.

                   INTRODUCTION BY HON. PETE AGUILAR,
                  U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA

        Mr. Aguilar. Thank you, Chairman Bost, Chairman Moran,
    Ranking Members Takano and Blumenthal, our colleagues in the
    Senate and in the House. I am privileged to address your
    Committee today to introduce Commander Daniel Contreras. As you
    know, the Disabled American Veterans organization was
    established after World War I and has played a vital role after
    every military conflict in promoting the welfare of our
    Nation's veterans as they return home to reintegrate into
    civilian life. Combat medic and nurse from 1980 to 1996,
    Commander Contreras rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class.
    He spent his entire civilian life working to help other
    veterans injured during their service. He is a role model and a
    pillar of our community back home in Southern California. He is
    a fixture in San Bernardino or in Riverside and throughout
    California, up and down the state, and now across this Nation.
    It is an incredible honor for our community to watch someone
    who has given so much be recognized as a champion for veterans.
    As your Committee looks to the role of the VSOs, I know that
    Commander Contreras will be an invaluable resource for your
    Committee and a fierce advocate for the veterans that he
    represents.
        This is a difficult time for our Nation's veterans. As you
    have all mentioned in your opening statements, disabled
    veterans already face significant hardship in employment,
    housing, and accessing health care. We should not be taking
    steps to add to this burden. I trust that the voices of
    America's disabled veterans will continue to inform the work
    that you undertake to uphold our Nation's sacred obligation to
    those who have worn the uniform.
        Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. And I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Thank you for being here as well.
    And, Commander, you are now recognized for 10 minutes to
    deliver your opening statement. And thank you again for being
    here.

                                PANEL I

                                  ----------

      STATEMENT OF DANIEL CONTRERAS, NATIONAL COMMANDER, DISABLED
       AMERICAN VETERANS ACCOMPANIED BY JIM MARSZALEK, NATIONAL
      SERVICE DIRECTOR; JOY ILEM, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR;
         EDWARD R. REESE, JR., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON
        HEADQUARTERS; BARRY JESINOSKI, NATIONAL ADJUTANT; JOHN
      KLEINDIENST, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE; LAMARR
     COUSER, NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT DIRECTOR; AND CHRISTOPHER EASLEY,
                      AUXILIARY NATIONAL COMMANDER

        Mr. Contreras. Thank you for that. Thank you for that kind
    introduction Representative Aguilar. I very much appreciate the
    work we were able to accomplish together in providing our
    veterans access to their records through the Wounded Warrior
    Access Act.
        Chairman Moran and Bost, Ranking Members Blumenthal and
    Takano and Members of the Committees on Veterans Affairs, thank
    you for the opportunity to present the 2025 legislative
    priorities of DAV, Disabled American Veterans, an organization
    representing nearly 1 million members, all of whom returned
    from wartime service forever changed.
        My written testimony details DAV's key legislative goals
    for the 119th Congress and summarizes our many programs and
    accomplishments throughout the last year. So I will use my
    limited time today to highlight some of our most pressing,
    critical policy goals. But first, let me introduce my DAV
    colleagues joining me today, National Adjutant Barry Jesinoski,
    Washington Headquarters Executive Director Randy Reese,
    National Service Director Jim Marszalek, National Legislative
    Director Joy Ilem, National Voluntary Service Director John
    Kleindienst, National Caregiver Support Program Director Ron
    Minter, National Employment Director Lamarr Couser, and
    Auxiliary National Commander Christopher Easley.
        I would also like to recognize the many DAV members and
    leaders sitting behind me today. Not every member could make
    the trip to Washington, but their contributions have been
    critical to DAV's success as the Nation's premier veterans
    service organization. Others have supported DAV's vital mission
    over the past year. They include our senior and junior Vice
    Commanders who step up to serve once again, and leaders of the
    DAV Auxiliary.
        I wish to express my gratitude to our National Executive
    Committee and members of the National Legislative Interim
    Committee, the Department of California, as well as my Chief of
    Staff Enrique Ramos for all of their support. And finally, I
    want to thank my beautiful wife Teresa, who has remained a
    steadfast partner and supporter of myself and veterans
    everywhere.
        Mr. Chairman, I sit before you as a service-disabled
    veteran who served as a combat medic and nurse for 16 years. My
    path to joining the military was laid well before me. As I saw
    my brothers and sisters raise their hands swearing to defend
    our Nation and the Constitution, I decided it was my turn. I
    intended to enlist as a Navy corpsman, but I found the Army to
    be the best bet for me.
        Voices. Hooah.
        The Army offered me an immense opportunity that continues
    to pay dividends today. As a medic, it opened up the world of
    caring. Once I saw the healing side of service, I knew I was
    hooked. When my time in uniform ended, my career helping
    veterans was taking flight. Early in my civilian transition, I
    reconnected with an Army buddy who introduced me to DAV and the
    services we provide. What drew me to this organization more
    than anything was a chance to secure justice for my fellow
    veterans and make sure that a sacred promise was kept. It was a
    new kind of caring, one that doesn't go away as we get older.
        Mr. Chairman, veterans need access to a full continuum of
    long-term care and caregiver support. That necessity has grown
    substantially and will continue to do so as veterans who served
    in America's longest war continue to age. The Department of
    Veterans Affairs projects that in 10 years the number of
    veterans aged 85 and older will increase by a third and women
    veterans in this age group could more than double. To meet
    aging veteran needs, the VA offers several caregiver support
    programs. However, gaps still exist.
        Veteran caregivers have proved to be life-saving. They
    provide some of the most essential support to veterans, putting
    in countless hours, often sacrificing their own well-being to
    care for another. Many do so by foregoing a traditional career
    and at a great cost to their personal health.
        But caregiving isn't without its own costs. Taxpayers
    benefit because of the services caregivers provide, which keep
    veterans from requiring government-funded assistance. But
    studies have shown that over 60 percent of caregivers
    experience burnout. We see that in the community we serve and
    sadly, most don't know where to turn for help.
        When it comes to caregiving, for me, it is personal. I know
    it is an area that needs more focus because I live it as a
    veteran and a caregiver to my wife who is battling stage four
    cancer. Having this experience that no one asked for provides
    insight. I have stood by her side through multiple surgeries,
    during chemotherapy, radiation, infusion, and a medical trial.
    Like every caregiver I know, I do it all in a heartbeat. And I
    know with every fiber of my being that if the shoe were on the
    other foot, she would be there for me.
        This is such a crucial area and we need to help veteran
    caregivers by providing comprehensive resources, including
    training and financial assistance and requiring the VA to offer
    more assisted living care options. At DAV, we operate our own
    Caregiver Support initiative to help these unsung heroes. Since
    its inception in October 2023, DAV Caregiver Support has
    connected over 1400 caregivers to a host of public and private
    resources.
        While we are exceptionally proud of the success of our
    program, the responsibility to provide such support ultimately
    rests with the VA. We urge Congress to increase resources for
    expanding home-based services and create assisted living
    options for service-disabled veterans. This will help us ensure
    that veterans can live in their own homes with respect and
    dignity.
        Mr. Chairman, another crucial and critical issue for DAV is
    ensuring that no toxic-exposed veteran is left behind. American
    service members have been harmed by toxic exposures since DAV's
    founders returned from the trenches of World War I. With the
    help and leadership of these Committees, the PACT Act created
    more than 20 presumptive conditions for burn pits and other
    toxic exposures. And we thank you for that recognition.
        [Applause.]
        In addition to expanding health care access and benefits to
    millions of veterans, they are no longer burdened to prove
    their exposures cause these cancers and illnesses. And while
    the PACT Act has been transformational, the law does not cover
    every toxic-exposed veteran. Those who served at Fort McClellan
    and other areas still face an uphill battle to prove their
    illnesses is a result of exposure. But doing so can be
    impossible, especially years or decades later. And it also did
    not include adequate accountability and transparency. That is
    why DAV and the Military Officers Association of America
    researched the history of presumptive conditions for toxic
    exposures and produced a groundbreaking report. And we found
    that veterans have been forced to wait, on average, more than
    34 years after exposure before VA established presumptives for
    benefits and health care. Saying that that is too long is an
    understatement of massive proportions. Veterans have died
    waiting for justice that eludes their survivors. But if we
    continue teaming up, as we did to get the PACT Act to the
    President's desk, we can make such injustices a thing of the
    past.
        [Applause.]
        We shared our findings and recommendations last September
    in our report, ``Ending the Wait for Toxic-Exposed Veterans.''
    And based on our findings, we call on Congress to pass
    legislation that would expand research on toxic exposures,
    launch an independent scientific review process, and establish
    a Veterans Advisory Commission. Together, we can help end the
    wait for toxic-exposed veterans.
        [Applause.]
        Mr. Chairman, a fully funded VA is absolutely vital to
    ensuring ill and injured veterans receive the care and benefits
    they have earned. Underfunding or delayed funding can have dire
    consequences for veterans who rely on VA disability
    compensation or health care. It is not an exaggeration to say
    in many cases this is life or death. But efforts have been
    hampered from a law Congress passed in 2010 limiting its
    ability to increase federal spending. The underlying
    principle--that is any new laws must not increase any deficits.
    In practice, Congress must now offset new benefits by cutting
    existing ones. This arbitrary and black and white rule, known
    as pay as you go or PAYGO is dangerous, and it doesn't consider
    the needs of veterans when determining where and how tax
    dollars are spent. But unlike every other government program,
    veterans' benefits and health care have already been paid for
    through the sacrifices of those who served, period.
        [Applause.]
        And there are other drastic proposals that seek to balance
    the federal budget on the backs of those who guaranteed a free
    and prosperous Nation. This is wrong, even under the pretext of
    fiscal responsibility. Proposals include taxing VA disability
    compensations or phasing out certain unemployability benefits
    when veterans reach a retirement age. There is also suggestions
    to reduce VA disability compensation levels across the board
    for future and current veterans. There is even talk of ending
    lower disability payments altogether. As if to say your service
    and sacrifice doesn't matter if it doesn't rise to more serious
    levels. This idea is perilous, cruel, and deeply flawed. We
    hope that you will summarily dismiss this. We appreciate that.
        [Applause.]
        Mr. Chairman, we must ensure that the new administration's
    promise of a Golden Age for America strengthens how we care for
    our veterans. But we are seeing organized efforts to curtail
    what veterans have earned and deserve, a VA that is laser
    focused on providing the best possible care and timely benefits
    to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. To
    follow through on this promise, veterans need Congress in their
    corners as they have been in ours. In this gilded era, we must
    ensure that veterans benefits are reinforced, not clawed back.
    The Department of Veterans Affairs needs to be fully funded and
    have predictable budgets. Veterans' health care should be
    enhanced and streamlined, all while ensuring VA provides the
    right options to meet their evolving needs.
        Together, we have the chance to follow through on the
    social contract disabled veterans have earned. And we hope you
    will join us in this fight. America is counting on it. May God
    continue to bless DAV, the men and women who serve our great
    Nation, and the United States of America. Thank you.
        [Standing ovation.]

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Contreras appears on page 55
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Commander Contreras, for your
    testimony. And Members, be advised that we, rather than our
    normal 5 minutes, we will have 3 minutes for the sheer number
    and we have a second panel to get to. But we do want to get to
    the questions. And I will recognize myself for 3 minutes with
    that.
        Commander, DAV supports my bill, H.R. 740, that is the
    Veterans ACCESS Act of 2025, which expands community care
    options. Can you explain what this bill would do in support of
    our veterans?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Chairman Bost, that is a very
    important question and I would like to ask our Legislative
    Director, Joy Ilem, to answer that question.
        Ms. Ilem. Thank you, Commander. We appreciate the ACCESS
    Act, and I know that for a long time with community care, there
    have been a number of issues that have been, needed fixing and
    we appreciate the timeliness of that bill that has been
    introduced. We appreciate working with your staff on that.
    While we have a few provisions that we would like to see
    changed, we think overall it is a good bill. We appreciate it.
    We want to make sure that veterans, when they have to use
    community care, they have timely access to that care and
    services and especially specialized services like residential
    rehab treatment programs. Thank you.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you for that answer. Commander, next
    question is, you know I am grateful first off for the DAV. It's
    past support of my legislation that the Veterans Second
    Amendment Protection Act, which would ensure that the veterans
    with fiduciary--that need fiduciary receive the same due
    process rights as every other American before their
    Constitutional rights are taken away. Is this legislation
    something the DAV will continue to support?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you once again, Chairman Bost. That is
    a very important question. I think you will find that DAV's
    position is we are not going to take or support any--anything
    that takes away Constitutional rights from our veteran. I think
    our National Executive Director, Randy Reese, could even go
    further into DAV's position.
        Chairman Bost. Reese.
        Mr. Reese. Thank you, Chairman Bost. Last year we
    definitely supported legislation to make sure that veterans'
    rights are not abridged and that their Constitution due process
    is also protected. We appreciate your legislation. You have us
    on board.
        Chairman Bost. I appreciate that very much. With that, I
    will now yield to Senator Moran, Chairman Moran, for his
    questions.
        Chairman Moran. Chairman Bost, thank you very much.
    Commander, great to see you in this setting and thank you for
    the conversations that we have had. The PACT Act has been a
    topic of conversation in your testimony. The PACT Act, part of
    the PACT Act, the Secretary is required to hold quarterly
    engagements with VSOs to collaborate with, partner with, and
    give weight to the advice of veterans service organizations and
    other such stakeholders. What has been the experience, your
    experience thus far with the provisions, this provision of the
    PACT Act? Could you describe whether these engagements are
    taking place and what value they provide to veterans? What type
    of insight and feedback are you able to provide the Secretary
    on behalf of your members during these engagements?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Ranking Member Moran. That is a
    very insightful question and I know that our National Service
    Director, Jim Marszalek could provide great insight into that.
        Chairman Bost. Marszalek.
        Mr. Marszalek. Thank you, Commander. Yes. So, the quarterly
    updates aren't occurring, right. We do provide--the VA does
    meet with us frequently. So we are collaborating a lot, but we
    are not getting information we really need. And as you know,
    our ending the weight report that we published 34.1 years on
    average from the time a veteran is exposed to a time of
    presumption is actually established. It is very concerning. It
    is way too long. So, we got to do better. And part of the PACT
    Act required to study to begin on Fort McClellan and those
    exposures and what residual disabilities can be attributed to
    those exposures. That study started 30 months ago, and we still
    don't have any updates to what is occurring. So, VA does got to
    provide more regular updates with more information and be more
    inclusive in these studies when we are talking about
    establishing----
        Chairman Moran. In addition to providing information, the
    goal of that provision is for you to provide information to
    them as to how they can better implement the act and care for
    more veterans. True?
        Mr. Marszalek. Absolutely, sir.
        Chairman Moran. I appreciate it. Although I am disappointed
    by your answer, I appreciate your frankness. And we will work
    to see that the VA is doing what the law requires. This thing
    of passing legislation is hugely important, but if it is not
    implemented to its fullest extent, we are really missing out on
    the benefits that we provide. Commander Contreras, what
    specific strategies can be implemented to close the gaps in
    mental health care for veterans?
        Mr. Contreras. Well, I thank you, again, for your question,
    Ranking Member Moran. I believe DAV's position is that there
    should be a comprehensive review on how we can do things, not
    just one way. And I would say that our Legislative Director,
    Joy Ilem, could definitely give you some insight.
        Chairman Moran. Ms. Ilem.
        Ms. Ilem. Thank you, Chairman Moran. VA does a great job on
    mental health services, providing mental health services to
    veterans, but there is always room for improvement. One program
    that we think is an excellent program and initiative is their
    firearm safety counseling. We know that so many veterans who do
    take their lives unfortunately do so using a firearm. It is
    like 72, 73 percent. We have to make sure that those veterans
    feel comfortable being able to talk to their provider and get
    the access to the counseling that they need to put that time
    and distance between them and that firearm during a period of
    crisis. And I think that is one initiative that we can really,
    VA, can continue to build on.
        Chairman Moran. Thank you for highlighting that program.
    Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Ranking Member Takano,
    you are now recognized.
        Mr. Takano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You were a bit
    distracted when Senator Blumenthal asked for the VFW calls on
    administration Congress to stop indiscriminate firing of
    veterans' statement. Can we have unanimous consent to have it
    entered?
        Chairman Bost. Without objection, so approved.

        [The statement referred to appears on page 213 of the
    Appendix.]

        Mr. Takano. Thank you. Commander Contreras, did you see the
    VFW statement last night related to the Trump administration's
    indiscriminate firing of veterans? Have you seen this
    statement? Are you aware of it?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Ranking Member Takano. We have
    seen that.
        Mr. Takano. Thank you. Do you agree that the indiscriminate
    firing of thousands of veterans from the federal workforce is
    troubling?
        Mr. Contreras. DAV is highly concerned with what is going
    on with VA, because we know that that is going to take away the
    expedition of being able to accomplish so many things, not only
    in health care, but on claims processing. I would like to ask
    our Executive Director, Randy Reese, to respond further.
        Mr. Takano. Well, if you mind, I just want to get through
    some of these questions.
        Mr. Contreras. Okay. Absolutely.
        Mr. Takano. Do you agree that the termination of thousands
    of federal employees, including thousands of veterans who are
    continuing to serve our great Nation after taking off the
    uniform, means that American taxpayers are losing technical
    expertise, training, and security clearances that we already
    bought and paid for? That, maybe Mr. Reese can elaborate.
        Mr. Contreras. Most definitely.
        Mr. Reese. Thank you, Ranking Member Takano. We view the
    series of actions from return to work, hiring freeze, delayed
    resignation, probationary employee terminations, all is just
    unprofessional acts. That is not how you treat people. You
    don't treat your own staff that way. These are not widgets.
    These are human beings. That has got to end--that has got to
    end.
        Mr. Takano. Well, thank you. Mr. Contreras, do you--does
    DAV intend to issue its own statement related to this
    destruction of the federal workforce?
        Mr. Contreras. Can you repeat that question?
        Mr. Takano. Do you all intend to issue your own statement
    regarding the destruction of the federal workforce through
    these firings?
        Mr. Contreras. We are actively working on our own
    statement.
        Mr. Takano. Thank you. This, you know, to my knowledge,
    over 2 million claims under the PACT Act alone, not including
    regular claims, have been processed. And that is because there
    was a surge in hiring at the VBA made possible by the PACT Act.
    I can't name the thousands of claims process that were hired.
    But you are aware that VA told Congress that at the VHA that we
    are short on understaffed by 40,000 employees. Does that seem
    right to you, that number? Joy?
        Ms. Ilem. Yes, that is what we hear. And you know, just in
    terms of providing, the demand is higher for services. We have
    had the expansion with the PACT Act of veterans coming in. So
    absolutely there is still, we have staffing shortages that have
    been noted by the Inspector General.
        Mr. Takano. So, the PACT Act made 3.5 million veterans,
    theoretically, eligible for benefits. In just two years, two
    million claims have been processed, made possible by the surge
    in hiring at VA. Now, that they are cutting, VA still tells us
    that more veterans have been made eligible, but that we are
    still short 40,000 hiring, 40,000 employees at the VHA to serve
    those veterans' health care. I fail to see any rhyme or reason
    to these firings. And I want to work with the VA to make sure
    that we hold--well, want to work with the DAV to make sure that
    we hold VA accountable and Congress accountable to make sure
    veterans are served. I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Ranking Member. Senator King, you
    are recognized. 3 minutes.

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

        Senator King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would call to the
    attention of the DAV a very troubling paragraph in something
    called Project 2025, which I suspect you have heard of, which
    seems to be the template for this administration's approach.
    Here is the sentence that I hope you will attend to. ``The next
    administration should explore how veterans' reviews should be
    accelerated with clearance from OMB to target significant,
    significant cost savings from revising disability rating awards
    for future claimants.'' And listen to this. ``While preserving
    them fully or partially for existing claimants.'' Mr. Leader,
    how do you feel about that idea?
        Mr. Contreras. Well, anything that is going to take--
    Senator King, apologize. Anything that is going to take away
    from veterans' benefits, we do not support that. We are aware
    of Project 2025's initiatives, not only to reduce category 7
    and 8, also to tax veterans' benefits, or to look at
    unemployment benefits as far as at Social Security age. So, I
    would say that we would not be in, in favor of that. And there
    is one of our critical policy goals and it outlines that we
    need to protect those benefits. And there is, there will be
    great opposition to that. And we had the Secretary visit our
    mid-year conference recently and he stated, and we are going to
    hold him to it, that he is putting veterans first. That would
    not be putting veterans first.
        Senator King. I appreciate that. We have been talking a lot
    about the layoffs. In fact, combining the hiring freeze and
    normal attrition with the recent layoffs, we are really down
    about 5,000 people at the VA in the last month. Now, the
    Secretary, when he released his statement last night said, in
    fact, veterans are going to notice a change for the better. My
    question to you and to the veterans is tell us if that is what
    you notice? The power is with the veterans, and you need to use
    your voice. It is hard for me to believe that these cuts which
    have been made in the last 20 days, as near as I can tell,
    pretty indiscriminately, are going to change things for the
    better for the veterans. And by the way, talking about
    bureaucracy, in my view, the person that answers the phone can
    be as important as the person that delivers the care.
        [Applause.]
        If a veteran calls for a health care appointment and there
    is no one there to answer the phone, that is a denial of
    benefits, just as sure as if they can't see the doctor. So, I
    hope that the people in this room will hold us accountable and
    thereby the Agency, the Department, the new Secretary to truly
    putting veterans first. That is an easy phrase to say, but I
    look at what is actually being done. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
    for the work you have done.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Representative
    Radewagen, you are recognized for 3 minutes.

                  HON. AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
                U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM AMERICAN SAMOA

        Ms. Radewagen. Thank you. I want to thank the panel for
    appearing today. Thank the Chairman and Ranking Members. And
    thank you for your sacrifice and service to our Nation.
    Commander Contreras, what are some of the challenges veterans
    face when accessing mental health care at VA? And what role do
    VSOs play in connecting veterans with mental health resources?
        Mr. Contreras. Representative, thank you very much for that
    question. It is something that, of course, mental health is a
    critical issue, not only from suicide prevention and other
    aspects and alternatives, but I would like to ask our
    Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, to elaborate further.
        Ms. Ilem. I would just add to that the timeliness is of
    this is essential in terms of mental health services. VA
    provides great services, wraparound, all types of options of
    mental health services, from the crisis line to the vet centers
    to inpatient care. But those specialized services are really
    critical to those who are struggling with PTSD and chronic
    conditions like substance use disorder. And veterans are
    telling us they want to get those services. The demand for them
    is increasing and we need to make sure that we break away those
    barriers to accessing those services.
        Ms. Radewagen. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield
    back the balance of my time.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Representative. Senator Tillis,
    you are now recognized for 3 minutes.

                           HON. THOM TILLIS,
                    U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA

        Senator Tillis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you all for
    being here. I have to ask the obligatory question. How many
    people are either from North Carolina or spent some time at one
    of our bases? [Applause.] Well, thank you all. Come back and
    visit.
        I have a quick question. I know, I think it is on page,
    begins on page 17. Some of the things that you all would like
    to consider as enhancements to the PACT Act to make it work. I
    think many of you probably know I voted against the PACT Act,
    but it wasn't for a lack of being a material contributor to it,
    the TEAM Act and the Camp Lejeune toxins language alone. But I
    was worried about the implementation. Now, so, when you answer,
    if you can answer and use the balance of my time, one, I still
    see headwinds on funding. We saw the $3 billion shortfall
    before, and I see more. I see also headwinds on wait times.
    These are all things that I anticipated that hopefully we were
    going to fix before we got passed; didn't happen. So, if you
    could answer that, and I would also like to know, I get the
    narrative about the job elimination. So, I particularly have a
    problem with somebody who is not in the VA suggesting job cuts.
    But now we have Secretary Collins there and I have a lot of
    respect for him. He is an even keel person. He got bipartisan
    support. I think he is going to be a good leader. But if y'all
    can speak, people are talking about gross numbers in an
    organization that has tens of thousands of employees. So if you
    can point to any eliminations that you are aware of today that
    you think are mission-critical to veterans, I would like to
    know that. I don't have that information. I don't know if you
    do yet, but I have requested that. So, tell me a little bit
    about the eliminations. Whether or not you believe they are in
    mission, you have evidence that they are in mission-critical
    operations. And give me some suggestions on homework for how we
    get the PACT Act to where I hoped it was when we passed it--
    when we should have passed it, I should say. And I assume that
    is Mr. Reese.
        Mr. Reese. Thank you, Senator.
        Senator Tillis.That was a long-winded question [Laughter].
        Mr. Reese. Well, in the big picture there are lots of our
    members bringing to our attention that they are leaving the
    workforce from all the different methodologies that have been
    put out there, from return to work, they leave, hiring freeze,
    they leave, delayed, they leave. And now, with this
    probationary period, probably the most concerning to us is we
    would rather have disabled veterans and their spouses
    unemployed than working at the U.S. Department of Veterans
    Affairs. I mean, that is a sad thing to say.
        Senator Tillis. I agree.
        Mr. Reese. That is happening.
        Senator Tillis. I agree with that. But I want to, I am a
    very boring management consultant, fact-based sort of guy. So,
    if you all could provide me with specific instances of mission-
    critical jobs or that situation that you gave me, clearly,
    there is no Republican that is going to be any more comfortable
    with that than a Democrat. But if we can get that information
    on exactly how some of these terminations have affected service
    levels or a threat to wait times, that is very important
    information for the Secretary to have, because I will guarantee
    you, he wants those service levels to be the best they ever
    were. Thank you all for your service. God bless you. Come back
    to North Carolina soon.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Congressman Pappas, you
    are recognized for 3 minutes.

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

        Mr. Pappas. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I want to
    welcome all the veterans here today. I thank you, Commander,
    for your testimony. I had a great meeting with New Hampshire
    DAV folks last night in my office. So, I want to thank all the
    veterans from the ``Live Free or Die'' State who are joining us
    here today. Those conversations are so important because we
    can't just simply count on VA or Congress to get it right. We
    need the veteran input and feedback along the way. So we look
    forward to future conversations and continuing to shape an
    agenda that is going to make things better for America's
    veterans.
        I wanted to bring up a piece of legislation that I think is
    critically important. It is a bill that I am going to
    reintroduce this Congress called the GUARD VA Benefits Act,
    which would reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited
    claims representatives or claim sharks who charge unauthorized
    fees for assisting [Cheering]. So you have heard of these guys?
    [Laughter.] They charge unauthorized fees for assisting
    veterans with VA claims. So, I want to applaud DAV's VA
    accredited representatives, the only individuals who are
    authorized to prepare, present, or prosecute VA claims under
    strict regulatory and ethical standards. In contrast, these
    unaccredited representatives operate without such oversight,
    often engaging in predatory practices and prey on veterans. It
    is disgraceful.
        So VA, in its limited ability, can't enforce the law
    because of the explicit criminal penalties were stripped from
    the law decades ago. We have come across a lot of dubious
    arguments about my legislation, but I would love to hear from
    the veteran perspective about the GUARD VA Benefits Act and the
    need to take on these claim sharks. Commander.
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative. That is certainly
    a critical issue with us, especially when not only DAV
    provides, at a national level, free services. We have our
    department service officers, our chapter service officers. I
    came from the world of being a service officer and I know DAV
    is prepared to help in that claims process in any way possible.
    So, we are looking at these predatory actors as really, one,
    not being competent. But also, you are hearing where for a 10
    percent claim, veterans are paying $30,000. That is ridiculous.
    So we are asking that there becomes more of a process of being
    able to be accredited with VA and not being able to have access
    to our veterans, their claims or information, and also list who
    is available. We are available and we can handle it. I know
    there has been talk that there are so many claims that are
    going on, but we don't rest on our laurels. We help that one
    veteran and move on to the next one. And that is what we
    believe we can do and get rid of these predatory actors.
        Mr. Pappas. Well, thank you, Commander, for that
    commitment, for the work that DAV does each and every day. It
    makes a difference. We want to continue to hear from you as we
    do our work here in Congress. I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. General Bergman, you are
    recognized for 3 minutes.

                           HON. JACK BERGMAN,
                   U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MICHIGAN

        Mr. Bergman. Thank you. Thanks for all of our witnesses for
    being here. Any Michiganders in the crowd? [Hand claps.] All
    right. Any Yoopers?
        Voices. Yes.
        Mr. Bergman. Oh, there has got to be one everywhere. We are
    required to have one. All right, well, very good. You know, I
    am looking forward to working with all of you, continuing. As a
    fellow veteran and served all over the world, I have seen the
    good, the bad, and the ugly of human behavior. But we are a
    free country because our veterans step up and do what we need
    to do to guarantee that we have freedom. So, let us get to the
    business here.
        Commander Contreras, last Congress DAV endorsed legislation
    that I introduced along with Congresswoman Brownley, the
    Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices or Veterans STAND
    Act. As you might remember, the bill would codify the VA's
    obligation to offer annual examinations for spinal cord injured
    and disabled or SCI/D veterans. Take steps to improve the
    outreach for those who are eligible. Ensure paralyzed veterans
    are able to be assessed and provided with these assistive
    devices. Could you please describe the benefits, if you will,
    of preventative health screenings, so preventative health
    screenings like those provided by the SCI for the SCI/D
    veterans.
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, General. We appreciate that
    important question. To fully address the specifics, I am going
    to ask our Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, to respond.
        Ms. Ilem. Great bill. And we appreciate that. And we
    support making sure that veterans, especially those who have
    catastrophic injuries, spinal cord injuries--have the access to
    all of the services that they need, and new and innovative
    technologies that are coming forward, and those preventative,
    you know, appointments to make sure that they have access to
    know what might be an option best for them, are critical. And
    so we are--we appreciate those provisions being included in the
    bill.
        Mr. Bergman. Thank you. And you know, we all know that
    there are challenges for the disabled veterans to, when they
    are seeking the--to get, if you will, qualified for and
    assessed for. So, we have to really understand that new
    technology appears every day and we have to be realistic about
    how we advance new technologies to better provide those, you
    know, assisted services for the veterans.
        Another quick--I see we got about a half a minute left. But
    Commander Contreras, I see that DAV supports legislation
    directing the VA to research and make available effective
    psychedelic compounds for treating mental health conditions and
    traumatic brain injury. For those of you who may not be aware,
    I am the co-chair of the PATH Caucus, Psychedelics Advancing
    Therapies, along with my dear friend and colleague Lou Correa
    from California. Any thoughts or comments on what do you think
    the VA role should play in advancing the promising field in
    that area of medicine through research or whatever?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you once again, General, for that
    question. I can say that DAV's position is certainly that we
    should look at alternatives. As I addressed earlier that my
    wife Teresa is going through her challenges and so obviously
    there needs to be some alternative choices. So, psilocybin is
    one of them that that is being introduced with her. But I will
    let our Legislative Director----
        Mr. Bergman. I see I am over my time, so.
        Mr. Contreras. Oh, I am sorry.
        Mr. Bergman. Make it quick.
        Mr. Contreras. I appreciate it.
        Mr. Bergman. No, that is okay. Whoever you are going to
    just, but the answer----
        Ms. Ilem. We----
        Mr. Bergman. Let us do more research at the VA?
        Ms. Ilem. Yes. We want to make sure the research is
    available and that VA can expedite that to the field as soon
    as, you know, as long as it is efficacious and it can benefit
    veterans.
        Mr. Bergman. Yes. We should not discount anything just
    because we don't understand it. That is how we get better. Seek
    to understand before trying to be understood, I think, as
    Stephen Covey said. With that I yield back.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, General. Representative
    Cherfilus-McCormick, you are now recognized for 3 minutes.

                    HON. SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK,
                    U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM FLORIDA

        Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And
    thank you also to all our witnesses and DAV. And thank you to
    all of our Florida veterans who are here. I see you in the
    crowd, yes.
        I have real concerns. I feel like we keep focusing on some
    of the cuts that are being made in the firing, but we have to
    look at the cumulative effect. And I proffer that any of the
    cuts that are being suggested that can actually harm our
    veterans should be completely off the table right now. We have
    a contract to our veterans, and we cannot compromise them by
    one of our veterans being hurt.
        One of the areas that I also want to look at, as I have a
    short amount of time, is focusing on our veterans access to
    long-term care. Long-term care has allowed our veterans to stay
    in their homes and in their communities with respect and
    dignity and with their families. We have a real responsibility
    to protect our veterans. And so, I wanted to talk about the
    Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care program administered by the
    VA and, and how it helps our veterans sustain themselves and
    their families. However, the program is limited to the number
    of veterans who have the service, which doesn't allow all of
    our veterans to live with dignity in their homes when they get
    sick.
        Ms. Ilem, how have your members benefited from the
    Homemakers and Health Care--Home Health Care Act Program?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative. That is a
    question that touches on one of our critical policy goals. I am
    going to ask our Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, to address
    that.
        Ms. Ilem. Long-term care options for veterans, a wide
    variety are absolutely essential from that Home Health Aide and
    Homemaker services all the way through community living
    centers. But we have also, in our critical policy goal, asked
    for more assisted living options to again, that might, you
    know, benefit younger veterans who want to be able to live
    independently but still need some help. So, those home health
    services are absolutely essential all the way through, you
    know, to meet the unique needs of each veteran.
        Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick. One of the largest payers for
    long-term care services is actually Medicaid. In fact, 9.4
    veterans rely on Medicaid and there is a proposed budget to
    actually start cutting Medicaid. These are the compounded event
    effects that we are talking about. And so, I also wanted to
    know how could cuts to Medicaid affect DAV members?
        Ms. Ilem. Certainly, services that are outside that, where,
    you know, a program goes away, can certainly put more stress on
    the VA veterans. More veterans may need to utilize their VA
    services. So, we are always looking at, you know, the impact
    of, I know there is some talk again about Medicare suspension,
    issues--veterans that are Medicare age, and also those that
    perhaps are on Medicaid. So, all of those, if a program goes
    away, veterans still need care. So, they are going to probably
    turn to VA in many cases for that care.
        Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick. Thank you so much. I just wanted
    to stress before my time is over that any cuts that will affect
    one of our veterans should be off of the table. We have a
    project, a promise to each and every one of our veterans and we
    must stand by that, and we must look at the cumulative effect.
    When we look at the cumulative effect, right now, we are
    looking at tens and thousands of people who have been fired,
    who are being denied of Medicaid, who will now be sitting there
    by themselves trying to provide for themselves. And that is not
    what our country is made for. Thank you. I yield back.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Congressman Luttrell.

                         HON. MORGAN LUTTRELL,
                     U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM TEXAS

        Mr. Luttrell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And since everybody
    else is throwing a shout-out to their state, where are my
    Texans at in the room?
        Voices. Woo.
        Mr. Luttrell. All right. There you go. You know, luckily
    for you guys, there is not that many of us, because we have a
    tendency to tear things up. So, if you guys go out drinking
    tonight and get in trouble, call me. [Laughter.] I won't join
    you, but maybe I can call somebody. [Laughter.] And do I have
    any Army Rangers? Are there any Army Rangers in, in the
    audience?
        Voices. Woo.
        Mr. Luttrell. That is tragic. I mean, I, it is just in my
    bones and I just cannot. I mean, me and Army Rangers just
    don't--do not get along at all. I mean, y'all's existence
    bothers me. I say that. And the reason I do say that is because
    I have an identical twin brother who was rescued by Army
    Rangers. So, I am indebted to you guys for the rest of my life.
    But, so this is me saying thank you. Just don't repeat this on
    social media. And I am sure nobody in here is paying attention
    to what I am saying anyway.
        [Laughter.]
        Mr. Contreras, I don't have anything for you, sir. So you
    are not going to be able to pass the football on me. I am going
    to go straight to Mr. Marszalek, here. Your statements earlier
    today, and you are engaging with the VA and it seems to be as
    if you are kind of hitting a brick wall, and there is no
    responsiveness from the VA. This is the tricky part. So, the VA
    is this big machine. It is this big, glorious machine that we
    lean on as veterans quite a bit. And it is kind of, I love to
    wire brush the VA more than anybody. I do. It is like, I hate
    doing it, but it is absolutely necessary. And I am going to
    provide you some guidance to help out the Members of Congress
    and the Senate. So, when you come to us with this problem set,
    the first thing that when you walk into my office is I am going
    to say, who are you talking to? Like, I need a name. I need a
    timeframe and a window that you are engaging with the VA so I
    can personally, or we can personally with the Chairman and the
    Committee, staff, subcommittee can engage with that particular
    individual directly so it didn't get tossed into the abyss and
    nobody is responsive. Because right now, you are just, you are
    fighting. You are pushing a wet noodle up a hill. I mean, I
    hate to say it, but it is just the absolute truth. So when the
    organization is engaging with, do that for us so we can stand
    alongside you shoulder to shoulder, you know, one team, one
    dream. Right? That kind of thing. All that kind of stuff. And I
    just wanted you to hear me say that to you.
        So moving forward, as we come out of this, we are moving
    into the next phase of VA leadership with Mr. Collins in the
    direction that he is going to take VA. We can provide guidance
    to him at our level. And then you come up, up and into the
    organization, and we are sitting on this up top and coming
    down, and we meet in the middle, and the veterans are the ones
    that, you know, glory be to God, we increase our quality of
    life. Yep. Is that a good enough deal for you?
        Mr. Marszalek. Absolutely.
        Mr. Luttrell. Okay. Don't take that personal, Mr.
    Contreras, I just, that is who I wanted to go to. Mr. Easley,
    do you have anything you want to add? You are not going to come
    all the way up to Washington, DC, sit in front of a couple
    hundred people and not say anything. So, I am going to throw
    you something.
        [Laughter.]
        [Applause.]
        Mr. Easley. Thank you, Congressman.
        Mr. Luttrell. Yes. You are welcome, buddy. You look lonely
    down--look, I am down here on the end, too. They can't see us.
    I am just saying.
        Mr. Easley. No, I just want to say, as the National
    Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, the
    family side of the organization, we support our veterans. I
    support my best friend here, Dan Contreras. And, you know, I
    just, I hold my auxiliary members accountable to educate
    members like yourself at their state level and at the local
    level, and the needs of our injured, ill, disabled veterans and
    their families.
        Mr. Luttrell. Sure. We need that, too. Make no mistake
    about it. Catch us on the road, catch us on the street, in a
    restaurant, at a red light. You are the knowledge base that
    provides information that gives Congress the ability to do our
    job, and that is legislate. Okay? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I
    yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Representative McGarvey.

                         HON. MORGAN MCGARVEY,
                   U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM KENTUCKY

        Mr. McGarvey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a tough act
    to follow. [Laughter.] Appreciate that, Morgan. I am the other
    Morgan on the Committee, so. But I guess if you guys do go out
    tonight, Morgan and Morgan will come get you. [Laughter.] I am
    from Kentucky, though, so I just recommend bourbon be your
    beverage of choice.
        [Laughter.]
        Appreciate everybody being here today. Thank you. Thank
    each and every one of you for your service. Each and every one
    of you put on a uniform. Were willing to sacrifice everything
    to serve us. That is a debt for which we can never adequately
    repay you. What we certainly can't do is take away the services
    you have earned that we are already not doing a good enough job
    providing. And last night, when the administration announces
    the indiscriminate firing of 1400 workers at the VA, I was glad
    to see that the VFW stood up and spoke against it. You all have
    always answered the call for service, and so I hate to ask you
    to stand up again, but we must do everything we can to protect
    our veterans. That includes making sure that the people are in
    place so that you get, again, not the services we are giving
    you, the services you have earned, and that we are doing that
    in the right manner.
        I do want to talk briefly about, Mr. Contreras, a bill I
    put forward called the INNOVATE Act. I think that one thing the
    VA can do is do a better job of incentivizing innovation. We
    have so many great people come through the VA, but we don't
    have that right incentive to innovate. When they do innovate,
    they can do cool things. There was a pilot last year, the
    technology enabled respite home care model pilot. It allowed to
    have a find a home caregiver temporarily and the caregiver to
    pay a substitute at a higher wage than the average home care
    provider's 96 percent veteran satisfaction score and a lower
    cost to the VA.
        Mr. Contreras, just briefly in the time we have left, would
    you talk about the areas of healthcare your members are most
    concerned about, where they have expressed needs that they have
    and where innovation could require an interesting approach?
        Mr. Contreras. Well, since you have limited time,
    Representative, I will go ahead and pass that on to Joy.
        Ms. Ilem. Innovation is key. One of the things VA does very
    well is in best practices and looking at how the delivery of
    care and benefits can be improved to veterans, and that is
    essential to keep looking at that. Mental health is one of the
    key areas. Suicide prevention is on everyone's mind in the
    veteran community, and I know Congress. So there are
    opportunities, again, to look at that through that innovative
    office, Office of Innovation, to make sure that they can
    utilize all of the resources they have and the best minds that
    are out there with new ideas to prevent suicide.
        Mr. McGarvey. Thank you so much. Know we have got your
    back. We will stand up for you, too. And I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Hamadeh.

                           HON. ABE HAMADEH,
                    U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ARIZONA

        Mr. Hamadeh. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for
    focusing this Committee on putting the veterans first and not
    protecting the bureaucracy. And I want to thank every single
    one of you. As a veteran myself, I am so proud to see so many
    veterans supporting each other. It is a really good sense of
    community. We all put that uniform on with the American flag on
    our shoulder sleeve. Didn't matter what race, religion, or what
    your social status in life was, we all put on that uniform. And
    for that, I thank you and our entire country owes a debt to all
    of you.
        [Applause.]
        Now, Commander, President Trump's MISSION Act was, you
    know, really put the veterans in charge of their own healthcare
    decisions. Yet today we are still seeing bureaucratic
    roadblocks that are getting in the way to prevent timely access
    to mental health services. What specific changes would ensure
    veterans can immediately access mental health care in their
    communities without the VA's red tape?
        Mr. Contreras. Representative, certainly DAV is focused on
    making sure every part of the MISSION Act is implemented. Our
    Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, will give you greater insight
    to DAV's position.
        Ms. Ilem. I think there are a number of provisions that are
    in the ACCESS Act that are positive and can try to overcome
    bureaucratic delays. And definitely within the community care
    program, we have heard from members, our members. You know,
    when you do have to access care in the community, one of the
    biggest delays is trying to get first connected with the Office
    of Community Care. And so, you know, that will be essential to
    try to do that and to have the providers available that can
    help forward these referrals, make sure that veterans get the
    care when and where they need it.
        Mr. Hamadeh. Yes, we heard tragically in some other
    committee hearings about loss of life. And we need to get
    better at this because it doesn't matter where you are getting
    help at the VA or a community care, it is all about putting the
    veterans first and ensuring their needs are being met. But
    would permanently codifying access standards help prevent the
    VA administrators from making arbitrary denials that put
    veterans' health at risk?
        Ms. Ilem. I would just note the access standards are
    reasonable. However, they can always be better. You know, we
    want VA to improve access to services. And I think those, some
    of those details and trying to look at where the holdup is, is
    really where we need to target targeted solutions to, you know,
    overcome those issues.
        Mr. Hamadeh. Thank you. Chairman, I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Budzinski, you are
    recognized for 3 minutes.

                         HON. NIKKI BUDZINSKI,
                   U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS

        Ms. Budzinski. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you to the
    Ranking Member, Ranking Member Takano. It is also great to be
    with Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal for hosting
    this hearing today. It is wonderful to be in a room with so
    many veterans and I too want to extend my deepest gratitude for
    your service to our country. Thank you very much.
        It is crucial that we always listen to what our VSOs have
    to say. And I think that is especially important today in light
    of the extreme uncertainty and actions we have with witnessed
    in these last two months.
        There is a lot to touch on, but I only have a few minutes
    and would like to focus specifically on our women veterans.
    [Applause.] Thank you. The VA, as you know, is a national
    leader in academic research, health research--providing
    groundbreaking work on advancements in medical treatments,
    technology and training our health workforce. And just as
    important, have been the breakthroughs in the unique care
    required for our women veterans. One of the actions that we
    have seen taken by the Trump administration, including within
    NIH and the VA, is the targeting of research grants that
    includes certain so-called ``trigger words.'' One of these
    words is the word ``women.'' As DAV and many of us here know,
    research on women is already considered underfunded. And now,
    this administration is taking actions to curtail the little yet
    incredibly important research being conducted specifically for
    women's health care.
        I am very concerned about how these sweeping attacks on
    this research will impact women veterans. I recently spoke with
    members of my own Women Veterans Council at home, including a
    council member working at the St. Louis VA who expressed
    serious concerns that women veterans might lose access to
    essential gender-specific care. One of the things we can all
    agree on is that women veterans face distinct challenges both
    during their military service and afterwards.
        If you don't mind, it is wonderful to have you here,
    National Commander Contreras. If you don't mind, I will go to
    Ms. Ilem. It is great to see you again. I know the DAV has a
    focus on women veterans and has been a leader in advancing the
    work being done to improve care for them. I have enjoyed
    partnering with the DAV on these issues and am looking forward
    to continuing that fight. But Ms. Ilem, how could banning or
    restricting the use of certain terminology such as the word
    women in VA-sponsored research affect our understanding of
    health impacts and conditions unique to our women veterans?
        Ms. Ilem. Thank you for that great question and certainly
    that would be extremely disappointing because VA really has
    been a leader in women's health research. No one else in the
    world is doing the research that VA has done over the last, you
    know, especially the last 10 years, looking at wartime related
    service and all of the impact of military service on our women
    veterans.
        Our reports, our three reports that we have done, the
    latest one, Our ``Journey to Mental Wellness,'' was all focused
    on VA research efforts. And we hope that there will be
    reasonableness and meaning, you know, mindfulness when looking
    at that, because that would be a real detriment to our women
    veterans and the step forward and the progress that has been
    made in providing VA services which every veteran should have
    access to, including our women veterans. But they do remain a
    minority, a statistical minority within the VA. We can't let
    that slip. So thank you for your attention to that and we stand
    ready to work with you.
        Ms. Budzinski. Thank you. I look forward to working with
    the DAV on this and encourage, again, all of our veterans to
    speak out on these very important issues. So, thank you very
    much. I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Representative King-Hinds, you are
    recognized for 3 minutes.

                       HON. KIMBERLYN KING-HINDS,
           U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

        Ms. King-Hinds. Half a day. Good morning. I am from the
    Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 8,000 miles away
    from here. I want to first of all start by saying thank you
    very much for your service. And to the VSO, thank you for your
    fierce advocacy for our veterans. Si Yu'us Ma'ase.
        I wanted to go back to the previous conversation with
    regards to long-care support for our veterans. Right. So, what
    I am seeing in my district is that families are basically
    having to choose between taking care of their veterans or
    having a job. So folks are literally quitting their jobs to be
    able to provide that long-term care. And I know that this is a
    challenge that is very different in rural communities, in
    comparison to, you know, more urban centers. And so, I wanted
    to kind of hear what your thoughts were with regards to policy
    specific to remote rural communities.
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative, for that
    question. Looking at telemedicine as certainly an option, but
    as far as community care, as long as it provides the same
    quality care that it would in an in-house facility. I am going
    to have Joy, our Legislative Director, further elaborate on
    that.
        Ms. Ilem. Thank you. Great question. I think long-term care
    is on all of our minds. We have a really significantly aging
    veteran population of 65, 75, and 85 years and older. All of us
    will need long-term care, especially service disabled veterans,
    earlier than, usual, the general population. Those veterans
    living in rural and remote areas such as yourself really
    struggle with that access to care. And we are really asking the
    Committee to work on long-term care services and options for
    veterans, to start now to really make this a focus, as well as
    the VA for the near future because it is right around the
    corner where everybody is going to be, you know, really, really
    needing these services to a greater extent.
        Ms. King-Hinds. Thank you. Looking forward to having this
    continued conversation. I yield back my time.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Morrison, you are
    recognized for 3 minutes.

                          HON. KELLY MORRISON,
                   U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MINNESOTA

        Dr. Morrison. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have to begin by
    echoing my colleagues grave concerns with the recent mass
    firing of VA employees. After laying off a thousand employees
    two weeks ago, we found out last night that another 1400 more
    public service were--servants were inexplicably let go. I am
    very fearful that these actions threaten the well-being of our
    veterans in Minnesota. And I would urge Secretary Collins and
    the Trump administration to reconsider and to carefully
    consider the impact these decisions will have on veterans'
    access to care and benefits.
        Mr. Contreras, I want to thank you and your colleagues for
    your service and for being here today to testify. I had the
    pleasure of meeting with a group of women veterans from DAV of
    Minnesota yesterday, many if not all of whom are here today. I
    want to thank them, again, for traveling here to Washington and
    for taking the time to share their stories with me. According
    to the VA, women are the fastest growing group in the veteran
    population. And as an OB-GYN, a women's health provider myself,
    it is a top priority of mine to make sure the VA is equipped to
    care for women after their service to our country.
        So, Mr. Contreras or Ms. Ilem, I would like to begin by
    asking you to expand a little bit on your testimony. How do you
    think VA can rethink its suicide risk model and mental health
    care services to account for risk factors that
    disproportionately affect women, like intimate partner violence
    and military sexual trauma?
        Ms. Ilem. Thank you. Obviously, you have been reading our
    report, and we really appreciate that. That was one of the
    things that we identified early on, and we really wanted to
    highlight. We know that 1-in-3 women experienced military
    sexual trauma. Not that it is just, it also affects our male
    veterans, but we know for a higher percentage within our women
    veteran population. Women veterans deserve to be able to get
    the care, the specialized services and care that they need in
    VA. And VA has worked hard to really increase the providers
    that serve our women veterans to make sure specialists like
    yourself, they have access to them. Because much of the care
    for, you know, women, especially maternity care, is all
    throughout in the community, and so their care can easily be
    fragmented. So, we want to make sure that we are really paying
    attention to those issues and really work on them. And we look
    forward, our staff does, to working with you in the future.
        Dr. Morrison. Thank you. If I may just briefly follow up.
    You know, as the population of women veterans continues to
    grow, I think we need to be thinking about how we can expand VA
    provider workforce for women's health care so we can cut down
    on wait times for necessary procedures like mammograms and
    hysterectomies. How would you assess VA's current capability to
    provide these types of procedures and what should VA be doing
    to improve in this area?
        Ms. Ilem. VA has really tried to increase their workforce,
    but we always need Congress to provide oversight and attention
    on that issue. Especially women living in rural communities, VA
    is doing some very specific programming to bring women
    provider, you know, training providers in those rural areas.
    But we know we don't have enough providers for women throughout
    the country and at all locations that are needed. And that
    population is really growing. The last I heard was about
    900,000 enrolled, which is another big leap. So, more and more
    women are getting the word that VA is the place to come for
    care. You are going to get the specialized services that you
    need. Now, we need to make sure those providers are there and
    they can get timely, quality care wherever they live, in the
    community, wherever they live.
        Dr. Morrison. Thank you, so much. My time has expired. But
    before I yield my time, I just, as the wife of an Army combat
    veteran and a proud American, I want to thank every single
    veteran in this room for your service to our country.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Dr. Miller-Meeks, you are
    recognized for 3 minutes.

                     HON. MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS,
                     U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM IOWA

        Dr. Miller-Meeks. Thank you very much, Chair Bost. And I
    don't think Brad Whitmore from Iowa is in the audience today,
    but I do want to shout-out to the over 41,000 veterans we have
    in my congressional district. And I say that having a maternal
    grandfather who was in the Army, my maternal uncle was in the
    Navy, my father was Air Force. Six of the eight kids in our
    family served in the military, one in the Marine, one in the
    Air Force, the rest in the Army. The only branches of service
    my family has not served in is the Coast Guard and the Space
    Force. But I will sign up for the Space Force as well as the
    Army.
        I think the challenges that you all have presented to us as
    a Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the
    past four years that I have been a member, in regards to
    telehealth, in regards to modernization, getting our EHRs, I
    mean active duty military has a functioning EHR system. That is
    still driving cost in our VA system and it is making it
    difficult for you all to engage in care, engage in care in
    difficult facilities and engaging care in the community.
        What we have done and promoted in community care is
    especially important. I live in a rural area of Iowa. I have
    lived in, you know, very big areas such as San Antonio, Texas,
    which has a lot of military bases and VA facilities. Worked at
    the VA facility adjacent to Bexar County.
        But what we have done in community care to provide access
    to veterans who either cannot get into the VA in a timely
    manner or the distance where they live is too cumbersome. We
    have done good work on PTSD and suicide prevention, but we know
    we need to do more. And then let me also say that what we have
    done in trying to get employment opportunities, and this is
    both on the active-duty side as you transition out and for
    veterans who have already transitioned out of the military and
    their spouses, I think it is extremely important work that we
    do. That may be non-traditional VA work, but it is extremely
    important for us in making our veterans whole.
        Taxes and GI Bill. Need I mention those? But then I am
    going to just ask a question so we can get that done since my
    time is limited.
        Commander Contreras, the work your organization does in the
    adaptive sports program has done wonders for veterans over the
    years and we are glad to see participating, you know, increase
    over post-COVID. What changes do you think Congress could make
    to make the program to ensure that the benefit could be
    utilized by more veterans?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative, for that
    question. DAV's programs with our Winter Sports Clinic as well
    as our Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic. It is an amazing event
    and I would like to ask our Voluntary Service Director John
    Kleindienst to address your question.
        Mr. Kleindienst. Thank you, Commander. Adaptive sports is
    absolutely a life-changing event. There are many in this room,
    many watching today whose lives have changed for the better as
    a result of DAV and VA's involvement with adaptive sports, more
    specifically the Winter Sports Clinic and the Golf Clinic. I
    think awareness for the types of programs and activities in the
    adaptive sports arena could be highlighted and leaders like
    yourselves, executive leaders at VA, and their attendance and
    awareness and education about what we are doing at that event
    are truly rehabilitative. They are not athletes. They are
    coming to a rehabilitative event to get reintroduced into an
    activity they did pre-injury. So, I just think awareness and
    education and allowing the funding for these types of events to
    take place is of the utmost importance.
        Dr. Miller-Meeks. I thank you for that. We have a Quad
    Cities Veterans Outreach Program in Scott County which is all
    voluntary, which recently public--purchased a school system
    from the city which now has a program for adaptive sports. And
    I think it is going to, it has done worlds of benefit for our
    veterans. I could not be a Member of Congress if it were not
    for you all. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for all
    you do in defending our freedoms, our liberties, and our
    Constitution. I yield back.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Dr. Miller-Meeks. Senator Hassan,
    you are recognized for 3 minutes.

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

        Senator Hassan. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and Ranking
    Member. I want to start by just acknowledging all the veterans
    who made the trip here today and especially give a shout-out to
    the Granite State veterans who are in the room. I am also here
    as the proud daughter of an infantry sergeant from World War II
    and am particularly grateful to all of the Army veterans here
    in the room.
        Voices. Woo.
        Senator Hassan. I would also like to join others who have
    expressed concern about the recent firings at the VA. One
    thousand a couple of weeks ago, 1400 just last night. And I
    think what I would like to say to Mr. Musk is this isn't
    Twitter, it is the VA.
        [Applause.]
        To Commander Contreras, I want to see if we can get through
    two questions here. I want to start off by thanking DAV for its
    advocacy on behalf of veterans and especially toxic-exposed
    veterans. I was happy to work with my colleagues to develop and
    pass the PACT Act, but I know, just as the DAV does as well,
    that more needs to be done to help toxic-exposed veterans get
    the benefits that they have earned and deserve. Unfortunately,
    as DAV has noted, it takes the VA too long to formally
    acknowledge toxic exposures. Commander, can you please discuss
    the importance of ensuring that processes are in place to
    quickly and fairly process veterans' claims for toxic
    exposures?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative. That is a very
    important issue, and it is one of our critical policy goals.
    And you can see that we worked with MOAA to establish the
    Ending the Wait report, which indicates that there is a lot
    that Congress can do in order to avoid this long delay. It
    takes too long to establish presumptives. And if you can see in
    our critical policy goals, that is a key issue that we believe
    by preempting and studying these things in advance, we could
    provide our veterans, in presumptive conditions, more expedient
    services.
        Senator Hassan. Thank you very much for that. And I now
    want to follow up on one of the areas that Representative
    Morrison was talking about. And it may be to you, Commander
    Contreras, or maybe Ms. Ilem. In your written testimony, you
    discussed the fact that suicide rates among women veterans have
    been steadily rising. And in DAV's report on women's veterans'
    mental health, DAV identified that women veterans have several
    unique risk factors for suicide. Commander, can you describe
    the importance of tailoring outreach and services to women's
    veterans and how that can help address the mental health needs
    that these veterans may have?
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, again, for that question. As you
    alluded to, this is our third report, this one being the
    ``Journey to Mental Wellness.'' Let us definitely have our
    Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, address that.
        Senator Hassan. Great, thank you.
        Ms. Ilem. Just very quickly, we appreciate your attention
    to that report and our real concern over women veterans and
    mental health and some unique risk factors, especially military
    sexual trauma--making sure that that is in VA's protection
    predictive model. We know that veterans are at higher risk who
    have experienced MST.
        Senator Hassan. Right.
        Ms. Ilem. And so, therefore, we want to make sure that is
    part of that predictive model so there can be outreach to them
    with a focus on prevention.
        Senator Hassan. Thank you very much. And Mr. Chair, with
    just a moment of privilege, I will follow up on what my
    colleague on the other side of the aisle said. My dad, the
    World War II veteran, used to ask us at the breakfast table,
    what are you doing for freedom today? Which when you are in
    fourth grade, is kind of a hard question to answer [Laughter].
    But it just always reminds me he had the right to ask it. Thank
    you for everything you have all done for our freedom. Thank
    you.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Commander, thank you for
    being here. I want to express this to you, but I am also going
    to express it to Mr. Reese and Ms. Ilem. As we see these
    changes and the conversation as they go on, if you see a
    reduction in any service that is due to the change into this
    administration's made, or if you see or hear of someone
    specifically that has been relieved and or let go of their
    duties that you think is something that we should hear, my
    office, you know, is always open. The job of this Committee is
    to make sure that the veterans are provided for, as I said
    before, not that the bureaucrats are protected, but making sure
    that the services that is provided through the VA are for our
    veterans to make sure that they are taken care of. And I want
    to thank all of you, the Disabled American Veterans, for being
    here today, for what you have done, and what you continue to
    do. And I want to thank the audience members for coming in from
    every corner of this United States. And with that, we are going
    to move to the second panel. But here are some instructions
    that I need to give to you, please, because after 11 years of
    being around here, I understand how this room works. If you
    would, your exit, please, this way, so that the next panel can
    come in this way for the flow of traffic. Thank you again for
    being here. God bless you all.
        [Applause.]
        Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking
    Member Takano.

                                  ----------

        Chairman Bost. The Committee will come back to order. We
    would like now to welcome our second panel. I want to thank you
    all for being here. Now, we have a lot of important
    organizations to hear from on this panel, so let's get right to
    it.
        Today we are joined by the National Commander Horace
    Johnson of AMVETS. We are also joined with Mr.--by Mr. Jack
    McManus of the Veterans--Vietnam Veterans of America.
        Mr. Robert Olivarez. Do I say right? Well, no, with--with
    boast. You know that it is not boast, it is Bost. So I want
    yours to be right. How is--it is not close enough, but get it
    right.
        Mr. Olivarez. It is Olivarez.
        Chairman Bost. And now I am still going to say it wrong,
    but that is all right. That way you put it down. He is of our
    Military Order of the Purple Heart.
        Mr. Paul Mimms of the Blind Veterans Association. Thank you
    for being here with us.
        Mr. William Hubbard of the Veterans Education Success.
        Ms. Nancy Menagh of the Gold Star Wives of America.
        Mr. Matthew Schwartzman of Reserve Organization of America.
    Again, welcome to all of you and to all of your members in the
    audience.
        Mr. Johnson, you are now recognized for 5 minutes for your
    opening statement.

                                PANEL II

                                  ----------

                      STATEMENT OF HORACE JOHNSON,
                       NATIONAL COMMANDER, AMVETS

        Mr. Johnson. Well, thank you, sir. Chairman, Ranking
    Members and Members of the Committee, the challenges facing
    veterans aren't new, but recent actions making them worse.
    Right now, veterans working at the VA are losing their jobs.
    Veterans owned small businesses are losing contracts and
    critical services are being cut without a clear plan and
    without accountability.
        The Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, is making
    sweeping changes in the name of reform, but real reform means
    fixing what is broken, not breaking what works. The VA needs
    improvement, but not reckless cuts are not--but reckless cuts
    are not the answer. Veterans should not bear the brunt of
    mismanagement. Congress must step in before these changes do
    lasting damages.
        At the same time, while resources disappear in the name of
    efficiency, the VA mental health budget has grown from $600
    million at the start of our Iraqi and Afghanistan wars to over
    $17 billion in 2025. Yet veteran suicide rates remain
    heartbreakingly high. This crisis isn't about a lack of
    funding; it is about misplaced priorities. Billions are wasted
    on ineffective programs, bureaucracies and contracts that
    overpromise and underdeliver. And while that money disappears,
    veterans are left without the care they need. This has to
    change.
        Veterans is calling for a real solution. We propose the
    Veterans Continuum of Wellness, a framework designed to tackle
    the root causes of mental health struggles. It focuses on early
    intervention, self-sufficiency and long-term wellness. It
    explains access to alternate therapies, including peer-led
    counseling and community-based support, giving veterans more
    options beyond traditional VA care and pharmaceuticals. Because
    when a veteran is struggling, they don't need to be put on a
    waiting list, another waiting list, they need help when they
    ask for it.
        Another issue that has been overlooked for far too long is
    traumatic brain injury, TBI. Since 2000, nearly a half a
    million service members have suffered at least one TBI each
    year. Over a hundred thousand veterans seek VA care for TBI,
    yet too many are given medical issues instead of--medications--
    instead of real treatment. Businesses, excuse me, businesses
    are shut out. Congress must increase competition, remove
    barriers for veteran-owned businesses and hold contractors
    accountable.
        There are other urgent issues. Surviving spouses and
    children of service members receive far less DIC payments than
    other civilian counterparts. This must change. The Richard Star
    Act must pass so that medically retired combat veterans can
    receive both their full retirement pay and disability benefits
    without penalty. Far too long, veterans and their families have
    been told to wait while billions are wasted. Veterans are still
    dying by suicide. Veterans with TBI are still searching for
    solutions. Veteran-owned small businesses are still being shut
    out while corporate profits from failed projects. We cannot
    keep on doing the same thing. Congress must act now. Our
    legislative priorities will ensure every veteran has the
    opportunity to thrive.
        At the same time, Congress must hold underperforming
    contractors accountable, support veteran owned businesses and
    prioritize competition and innovation. AMVETS stands ready to
    help with Congress, the administration and the VA to make real
    reform happen. Veterans need more--don't need more bureaucracy.
    They don't need more failed programs. They need leadership.
    They need vision. They need real results. The time is now.
    Thank you.

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Johnson appears on page 89
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Mr. McManus, you are
    recognized for 5 minutes for your opening statement.

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

        Mr. McManus. Morning, Chairperson, esteemed Members of the
    joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs and
    fellow veterans in the room. VVA remains steadfast in our
    mission to advocate for the rights, health and well-being of
    all veterans who have served. We are driven by the commitment
    that has guided our organization since its founding.
        Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon
    another. To divide one's veteran service based upon the
    distinction in time and location at the expense of another
    veteran's equally honorable service is an injustice to both
    veterans. Could we really believe that the sacrifices of the
    veterans lost in the Beirut barracks at the embassy in Benghazi
    were any less a sacrifice than those lost in Al-Fallujah in
    Iraq or Khe Sanh in Vietnam? We are American veterans first,
    last and always.
        Foremost, I must address an urgent matter. That is the need
    for a full accounting of U.S. personnel categorized as
    prisoners of war or missing in action from the War in Vietnam.
    The families of those service members deserve the answers. And
    you, the Members of this Committee, multiple committees,
    representing the American people, owe it to our former fallen
    comrades to ensure every effort is made to bring them home. We
    call on Congress to fully fund and prioritize efforts to
    recover and account for our missing service members in all
    Vietnam War combat areas. Diligent recovery efforts are
    imperative and must continue at a fast pace at potential sites
    which have been altered by construction and by land
    reclamation.
        America has made an oath to never abandon our fellow
    veterans. In keeping this promise, do not allow this time and
    opportunity to slip away.
        The health and safety of our veterans and their descendants
    should be a paramount concern for all veterans--all Americans,
    excuse me. Therefore, we ask for comprehensive studies to
    identify and potentially resolve the negative effects of toxic
    exposures on veterans and their descendants. In this, we hope
    to identify best practices that will mitigate or eliminate
    future toxic exposures.
        Thousands of Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange
    in the water and on the ships outside the current 12-mile
    nautical limitation. We call for amendment of the Blue Water
    Navy Act of 2019 to extend this arbitrary man-made limit. If
    you served in the Vietnam theater of combat operations and are
    entitled to receive the Vietnam Service Medal, you should be
    presumed exposed.
        1,120 women volunteered to serve with the Red Cross during
    the Vietnam War. 627 of those women worked as Donut Dollies and
    three of them never made it home from Vietnam. Providing
    critical morale boosts to our soldiers, these Donut Dollies
    traveled by helicopter to forward operating positions as well
    as in the rear.
        We call for recognition of their perilous volunteer service
    by awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Donut Dollies.
    I implore this Committee to introduce this long overdue
    legislation. As a personal aside, it would be very important
    and very critical if we could get the Members of this Committee
    to sponsor and introduce the legislation for the Congressional
    Gold Medal for the Donut Dollies.
        Finally, we adamantly oppose any proposed dilution or
    expansion of the criteria for which the DoD Gold Star
    designation lapel button is awarded. It should always be for
    our Nation's aspiration to have fewer Gold Star families, not
    more. We are opposed to any efforts to diminish the noble and
    selfless sacrifice of those lives ended in military conflict.
        Thank you for the opportunity to testify. VVA is keen to
    work with Congress on behalf of our veterans. More of our
    priorities can be found in our written testimony.

        [The prepared statement of Mr. McManus appears on page 100
    of the Appendix.]

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

    STATEMENT OF ROBERT OLIVAREZ JR., NATIONAL COMMANDER, MILITARY
                       ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART

        Mr. Olivarez. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman Bost, and
    Ranking Member Blumenthal, and distinguished Members of the
    Veterans' Affairs Committee. I am honored and humbled to
    represent America's Purple Heart veterans in addressing you
    today.
        I would like to begin by congratulating the new Members of
    Congress and expressing my gratitude to those who have returned
    to serve and enhance the quality of life for our Nation's
    veterans. With the collective efforts, I am confident that the
    119th Congress will make significant stride in supporting our
    Nation's heroes. The 118th Congress passed pivotal legislation
    such as the VA Accountability Act, PACT Act, and the Compact
    Act, which have made substantial improvements in various
    aspects of the American veterans life. This foundation will
    undoubtedly guide our progress during the 119th Congress.
        Our Nation's veterans answered a call to protect us from
    the darkest threats the world has to offer. We implore you,
    this Committee, and the rest of Congress to consider passing
    further legislation that addresses and presents needs of our
    veterans.
        We, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, ask for your
    support in the following. First, the Military Medals Protection
    Act, which George Washington established as the Badge of Merit,
    which is the precursor to today's Purple Heart. Recognizing the
    profound significance of military honors. This act grants the
    Department of Defense exclusive trademark authority over all
    military medals, safeguarding them from exploitation and
    preserving their symbolic value. Commercializing or misusing
    these symbols diminishes their essence. The 113th Congress
    recognized this sacredness when they passed the Stolen Valor
    Act. Let's collaborate and expand their protection and restore
    the trade word marks to DoD, ensuring their unimpaired
    safeguard.
        Second, the National Green Alert Act. H.R. 175-2017 aims to
    create a specialized alert system for missing veterans. The
    purpose of the system is to leverage a successful existing
    alert system like the Amber Alert and Silver Alert, which have
    demonstrated high recovery rates. The Green Alert system would
    provide critical response tools to enable specialized response
    to include public education components to address the unique
    challenges faced by veterans in crisis.
        Third, the Healthy Heroes Act. This act addresses veterans
    healthcare crisis including mental health, substance abuse and
    homelessness. This act would introduce changes to health--the
    VA health care by embracing alternative treatments such as
    holistic approaches and comprehensive mental health services.
    The Military Order of the Purple Heart also requests Congress
    to expand on the VA dental health care qualifications for all
    veterans.
        Finally, the Fulfilling the Legacy Act seeks to rectify a
    systematic failure that has been affecting all veterans
    financial security. Consider the story of a 92-year-old Purple
    Heart recipient who diligently paid survivor's benefit premiums
    for decades only to lose $50,000 in premiums when his wife
    passed away. This is not an isolated incident but a clear
    indication and a need for action. This act modernizes the
    survivor's benefit plan, ensuring that veterans investments in
    their families futures are protected. The military retirees
    have already met all requirements and have earned health care
    benefits. So the Military Order of the Purple Heart opposes any
    changes to TRICARE for Life or VA disability benefits that
    would increase the fees and shift costs from the Department of
    Defense to retirees over 65 years of age who rely on TRICARE
    for Life and those who rely on their VA disability
    compensation.
        The cost of inaction extends beyond monetary losses. It
    involves the loss of life, shattered families and broken
    promises. Each day, 44,000 families, or 44 families, tragically
    lose a veteran to suicide for our delays. Every night, 33,000
    veterans who valiantly defended our Nation find themselves
    sleeping on our streets. On top of that, countless military
    families face financial insecurities due to outdated benefit
    systems. Continuing to allow companies to profit while
    penalizing a Nation's heroes who earned these benefits
    diminishes the sacrifices made by America's warriors.
        These four acts the Military Order of the Purple Heart
    presents are more than mere policy changes, but they embody our
    sacred moral obligation to those who have served. The Military
    Order of the Purple Heart proposes these acts for American
    veterans to secure their health care for their families'
    futures. Each piece of legislation addresses critical gaps in
    support for veterans. George Washington recognized the
    importance of honoring those veterans who served under him. We
    must too recognize our duty to today's veterans. The 119th
    Congress holds the opportunity to transform how America cares
    for its heroes. Let us set aside partisan politics and focus on
    the issue at hand. The Military Order of the Purple Heart is
    seeking your support and collaboration on these presented acts,
    and also remember to ``Honor the Contract.''

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Olivarez appears on page 115
    of the Appendix.]

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

        STATEMENT OF PAUL L. MIMMS, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, BLINDED
                          VETERANS ASSOCIATION

        Mr. Mimms. Good morning, Chairman Bost, and Chairman Moran,
    and Ranking Members Blumenthal and Takano, and the other
    esteemed Members of the congressional Veterans' Affairs
    Committee. The Blinded Veterans Association is honored to
    present our legislative priorities for the coming year as we
    approach, on March 28th, the anniversary of our 80th year of
    existence.
        What I want to talk to you about today is the ways in which
    America's blinded veterans are continuing to be underserved and
    disenfranchised. And I present that to you by describing myself
    to you, presenting myself to you as a blinded veteran who
    served in Vietnam and was injured there, a former employee of
    the Department of Veterans Affairs as a vet center counselor
    and later computer skills instructor, and eventually a visual
    impairment services team coordinator. And now I am a consumer
    of medical care from my local VA medical center.
        A day in the life of just trying to get a primary care
    appointment, I will present to you, and the first barrier we
    encounter is transportation. The VA has inadequate
    transportation resources available to blind veterans. What we
    do have provided by the VTS service is that we may actually
    have our appointment canceled the night before, if not the day
    of the appointment. We now have to scramble to try to figure
    out how to get there. Once we get there, we get to the waiting
    room and very often somebody is going to walk out, call my name
    and then walk up to me and say, here, fill this out and hand me
    a clipboard, which of course I can't see. Then when I finally
    get in at my appointment, they are going to give me yet another
    sheaf of papers and say, here is your treatment plan and your
    follow up plan. And so go over that and you know, I will see
    you in six months.
        Okay. Then I leave there, I go to labs, or I go to
    pharmacy, both are going to be the same thing. I am required to
    take a number from where? And so it is not obvious and if there
    is nobody there to help, there is, now I got to find somebody
    else that is sitting there and hopefully there is somebody so I
    can ask them where do I get my number? Okay, now wait, tell
    me--can you tell me what it is? So that system is not for us,
    but yet we get through that. And when we go to pharmacy after
    we put in our prescriptions, we are sitting in the lobby with
    everybody else, and what we are tasked with doing is waiting to
    see our name on the screen, although we can't, so we got to ask
    somebody else, you know, to find my name if the pharmacy
    doesn't come up with a way in order to inform us that we will
    notify you when your name comes out so you can come up and pick
    up your meds.
        After we leave to go to the window in order to apply for
    transportation reimbursement because we had to pay our own way
    to get there, then they say, well you are going to have to use
    the website. So I tell them the website is not accessible.
    Well, I am sorry, we can't help you. Yet another barrier.
        And so that, that is just a day in the life of what we go
    through and as blinded veterans, and I am not unique in that.
    And so as I want to say one more thing about me and that is
    that I am a guide dog handler. And as such, for the last three
    administrations, we have been waiting for the VA to implement
    their own mandated program that would have established a person
    called Service Dog Champion at every VA facility. And they have
    yet to do that. And for the few that are on duty, there is no
    such thing as the training program for them. There is no such
    thing as the guidance for them. So our very--our expectations
    have to be very low in terms of them delivering the service
    that is supposed to come from that program. Another barrier.
        So we--I don't want you to think that I am a blinded
    veteran and therefore I have a disability and so I want
    everything my way. It is far from that. We served like
    everybody else served, and we served you. In front of me and
    every other veteran in this room, we served alongside them and
    the country. We served on behalf of them. And so we deserve, as
    blind veterans, the same level of dignity, respect,
    sensitivity, and we need to be treated as much of a human being
    as everybody else who doesn't have an obvious different
    abilities.
        My abilities are different now than they were when I was
    inducted, as I have been discharged. And those different
    abilities don't mean that therefore I have a different level of
    respect and service that I should be able to expect as I try to
    access VA's programs.
        So I am advocating right now for you to continue the
    funding for blind rehabilitation service. I can tell you there
    is nothing in the general community that will come anywhere
    near the level of service that we get from that program, and we
    desperately need that in order to be able to take our place in
    society alongside our sighted peers and our family members and
    our fellow veterans--being able to serve in the community as
    husbands, fathers, brothers, and taxpayers. And I want to make
    sure that we have continued funding for vision research through
    Senate appropriations. I want the VA to engage on a program
    that would just come up with training for the ways that they
    need it.
        Once I mentioned that VA employees don't know how to guide
    us. So when we go to a clinic appointment, they are going to
    grab our thumb, wrist, my clothes, my dog's leash, the cane,
    and whatever they can think of that they are supposed to grab
    so they can lead us, when in reality they just need to offer us
    an elbow and we can take that and it is all done. But the VA
    doesn't see it makes sense to teach them that. And so I ask for
    that education. Education for the service dog champions.
        And last, but not least, we advocate vigorously for the
    establishment of the Federal Committee--Federal Advisory
    Committee on Access. And more so, we advocate for having a seat
    at that table because we finally need now the opportunity to
    speak up for ourselves instead of having people decide, oh,
    this is what they need, so just give them this so they will be
    quiet.
        So I thank you for this opportunity to present to you, and
    I offer the opportunity to answer any of your questions.

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Mimms appears on page 120 of
    the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you Mr. Mimms. Mr. Hubbard.
        Mr. Mimms. Thank you.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Mr. Hubbard, you are recognized for 5
    minutes.

     STATEMENT OF WILLIAM HUBBARD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR VETERANS AND
              MILITARY POLICY, VETERANS EDUCATION SUCCESS

        Mr. Hubbard. Thank you. Chairman Moran and Bost, Ranking
    Members Blumenthal and Takano, and esteemed Members of the
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs, thank you for the opportunity
    to testify today on behalf of Veterans Education Success. We
    thank you for your long-standing leadership, especially
    Chairman Moran, Senator Cassidy, and Ranking Member Takano, for
    closing the 90/10 loophole.
        Our organization works on a bipartisan basis to advance
    higher education success for veterans, service members, and
    military families and to protect the integrity and promise of
    the GI Bill and other federal post-secondary education
    programs. The stakes are high. Veterans and taxpayers alike
    deserve a return on their investment in higher education.
        While most U.S. colleges are honorable and good, some are
    not, but VA continues to approve them anyway. For example,
    there is roughly 100 colleges that spent less than 20 percent
    of the tuition they charged VA on actually educating veterans.
    And predictably, these schools have abysmal outcomes. One
    veteran told us, ``There are issues such as schools replaying
    free web seminars as their own training and using unqualified
    people to lead the classes. They literally go to YouTube, find
    the free course by someone, then they play that during the Zoom
    meeting and call it training. Everything they are doing could
    have been done by me for free. They also attempted on two
    occasions to place me in classes that are not part of the
    program and do not serve a purpose except to show me in
    class.''
        A couple of years ago, student veterans and whistleblowers
    reported a different school to us, a school pretending to be a
    legitimate Bible college, which, as the students described, was
    actually a cult. We interviewed the students and teachers and
    provided a comprehensive memo to VA, and yet the school
    continued to receive GI Bill funding for another two years. The
    school even continued to receive GI Bill funding a full three
    months after the FBI raided the school's locations across the
    country.
        Transitions between military service and civilian life are
    challenging enough as it is, even in the best of times. I have
    personally made this transition multiple times between active-
    duty service and the civilian world after several overseas
    deployments, including my last tour in Afghanistan in 2018 and
    2019. When veterans apply to use their GI Bill at a training
    program or college, they don't think, gosh, this is going to be
    such a scam. No, of course they think they are investing their
    time, energy, and valuable GI Bill benefits in something
    worthwhile. Yet we hear from veterans and their families time
    and time again, why would VA approve this program in the first
    place? And that really is a question for Congress to ponder.
        Our written testimony suggests some common sense standards
    to prevent this kind of fraud in the first place.
        One, ensure teachers are qualified to teach in their
    subjects.
        Two, require colleges to prove they are financially stable
    and won't suddenly collapse.
        Three, require colleges to spend the GI Bill on the
    veteran's education rather than siphoning it off for massive
    marketing budgets.
        Four, stop colleges from overcharging repackaged content, a
    hit to veterans and taxpayers alike.
        Five, no more YouTube lectures. Require real instructor
    engagement in online classes.
        A related and worst problem is that if a veteran was
    defrauded of their hard earned GI Bill benefits, that veteran
    will never get their GI Bill back. Unlike traditional students
    who can apply to be made whole, the veteran is left out. Last
    year, the House voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Student
    Veteran Benefit Restoration Act, a bill sponsored by
    Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and championed by Chairman Mike
    Bost, both members from Illinois, where I grew up. We need to
    pass this bill this year.
        Before I close, I want to briefly mention two additional
    priorities. First, on the Dole Act, we provide some suggestions
    and our written testimony for some possible technical
    improvements. And second, we call for much better interagency
    data sharing by VA to answer critical questions on veterans
    outcomes.
        Thank you for your time and commitment to these issues. I
    look forward to your questions.

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Hubbard appears on page 137
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Hubbard. What amazement is it
    that the two set people sitting at the dais are the ones that
    are sponsors of your bill?
        Mr. Hubbard. I appreciate it.
        Chairman Bost. With that, Ms. Menagh, you are recognized
    for 5 minutes for your opening statement.

     STATEMENT OF NANCY MENAGH, PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT, GOLD STAR
                         WIVES OF AMERICA, INC.

        Ms. Menagh. Chairman Bost, Ranking Members, and Committee
    members, thank you so much for inviting us to testify this
    year. This year marks 80 years that Gold Star Wives of America
    has worked with Congress to bring attention to surviving
    spouses and their families.
        In our written testimony, we address our many concerns
    concerning toxic exposure, traumatic brain injuries in relation
    to suicide, claims for suicide and their issues, and the burial
    allowance and many other issues facing veterans and their
    families. But today we are here to focus on the Caring for
    Survivors Act of 2025. The first part of the bill will match
    dependent indemnity compensation, known as DIC, closer to
    benefits in other federal survivor programs. And the second
    part will ensure surviving family members receive the financial
    help they deserve if their veteran dies at the 5-year mark
    instead of the 10-year mark if they die of a condition not
    deemed part of their disability.
        My husband, Captain Philip Menagh, served in Vietnam with
    the Marine Corps, where he earned the Silver Star, the Navy
    Commendation Medal with Valor, and the Navy and Marine Corps
    Medal. He then later joined the Virginia National Guard. On
    June 9, 1984, I was 8 months pregnant, and our four children
    stood at the window, 10, 8, 5, and 3, each holding a dollar
    bill, listening for the ice cream truck. My 8-year-old suddenly
    yelled, mom, mom, there is a police car with two Army guys. As
    I stood waiting for that knock at the door, I knew our lives
    had changed forever. I am now one of the many survivors who
    rely on DIC.
        Currently, over 93 percent of those who receive DIC are
    over the age of 57 and over 70 percent are surviving spouses of
    Vietnam. Whether an active-duty death or a slow Agent Orange
    death years later, it is this demographic who needs this
    increase in DIC. Of all those who receive DIC, only around 15
    percent also receive DIC and SBP. Those who receive only DIC
    are primarily those who are married to our Vietnam veterans.
        Well, what does this increase mean to us? Let's look at the
    numbers. A married 100 percent disabled Vietnam veteran
    receives an annual amount of $48,532. If that veteran dies, the
    household income drops to a mere $19,836. The rent remains the
    same, the utilities remain the same, and yet that spouse now
    has less than half of the monthly income to maintain that
    household. And that is because their surviving spouse rate is
    only 43 percent of what a single 100 percent disabled veteran
    receives. To bring parity with other federal employing programs
    by raising that amount to 55 percent is really a very small
    price to pay for the sacrifices made for those who served in
    Vietnam and their families. Certainly the sacrifice made by our
    service members are at least as important and worthy as other
    federal employee jobs. Been a lot of talk today about federal
    jobs.
        While my husband is the one who made the ultimate sacrifice
    for our country, it is me, the surviving spouse, who continues
    to pay that price each and every day for the rest of my life. I
    wear the Silver Star my husband earned to remind me every day
    of who he was, what he did, and how to continue his life of
    service. Our country drafted thousands and thousands of young
    men to serve in Vietnam, and now it is time to show our respect
    for them by taking care of their families left behind. It is
    part of the price tag for their sacrifice, and it is a very
    small price to pay.
        The second part of the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025
    addresses the surviving families of 100 percent disabled
    veterans. Currently, only the families of a veteran rated 100
    percent for 10 years receives benefits in the situation of a
    death deemed not caused by the disability. This bill reduced
    the 10-year qualification to 5 years, thus providing benefits
    to those families who have put their lives on hold caring for
    those veterans every day.
        You can pass the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 to
    provide just a little more financial ability to pay the bills,
    to buy that extra bag of groceries, or fill a tank of gas. It
    is no secret how our Vietnam veterans were treated when they
    came home. You can send a message to them that we recognize and
    thank them for their sacrifice and now we will do better to
    take care of the family they leave behind.
        For 80 years we have come to remind you to follow the words
    of Abraham Lincoln, ``To care for him who have borne the battle
    and for his widow and his orphan.'' Thank you.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Ms. Menagh appears on page 167
    of the Appendix.]

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

    STATEMENT OF MATTHEW L. SCHWARTZMAN, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATION AND
            MILITARY POLICY, RESERVE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

        Mr. Schwartzman. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
    Chairman Bost and Moran, Ranking Members Takano and Blumenthal,
    and distinguished Members of the Committees on Veterans'
    Affairs, on behalf of the Reserve Organization of America, the
    only National military organization that solely and exclusively
    supports the Reserve and National Guard, thank you for the
    opportunity to testify on our veterans priorities for the 119th
    Congress. By setting aside partisanship, your Committees have
    consistently extinguished the fires of faction warned of in the
    Federalist Papers and have instead kindled a flame of
    constitutional cooperation seldomly seen within the Federal
    Government. That flame was recently ignited with the signing of
    the Dole Act, which included several provisions modernizing the
    Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
    supported by ROA. ROA is eager to work with you and your staff
    to build on this success and thanks you for your hard work in
    the previous Congress.
        For over a century, ROA has championed the Reserve and
    National Guard, advocating for military readiness and national
    security. The Department of Veterans Affairs is essential to
    this mission and must ensure the reserve components receive the
    support they need and deserve.
        While my written statement details over 20 actions Congress
    can take, my remarks today will focus on three critical
    reforms.
        80 years ago, President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into
    law, issuing an emphatic notice that the American people would
    not let down their service members. Yet, despite ongoing
    improvements, members of the Reserve and National Guard are
    still left behind. Under current law, an active-duty service
    member and a reservist can perform the same mission, but only
    one earns education benefits. This is simply unacceptable.
        The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, reintroduced in
    the 119th Congress, would resolve this disparity by counting
    every day in uniform toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility.
    Beyond parity, this bill would boost voluntary reserve
    participation, strengthen the military's compensation package,
    enhance senior enlisted and officer promotion opportunities,
    and improve civilian career prospects for citizen warriors. ROA
    thanks Senators Moran and Blumenthal and Representatives Levin
    and Kelly for sponsoring this bill and urges its swift passage
    into law.
        The GI Bill's core purpose transcends education and is
    evident in other VA programs like the Transition Assistance
    Program. ROA commends your Committees for prioritizing TAP in
    the previous Congress, leading to the establishment of a
    reserve focus track within the program. This was a significant
    step forward, but more work remains. For example, ROA proposes
    expanding TAPs eligibility criteria and allowing participants
    to waive requirements under certain circumstances that are
    detailed further in our statement. ROA also supports
    incorporating reserve component specific issues in the TAP pre-
    separation checklist and ensuring military spouses are fully
    integrated into the process. ROA remains committed to working
    with your Committees to refine TAP and ensure citizen warriors
    and their families receive the support they need.
        President Roosevelt's words about the GI Bill were not just
    a promise, they were a call to action. ROA answered that call
    in supporting the PACT Act. During the 72-hour fire watch vigil
    which helped secure the Act's passage, I had the honor of
    spending a night with veterans and other patriotic Americans on
    the Capitol steps. With ROA's headquarters nearby, I offered
    access to our facilities to sustain the vigil. That night a
    veteran jokingly called me ``bathroom guy,'' a title I now wear
    proudly as a symbol of ROA's commitment to delivering toxic
    exposure relief. Thanks to the PACT Act, almost one and a half
    million claims have been approved, with over 6 million toxic
    exposure screenings completed. Despite this, some veterans are
    still left behind.
        Consider those at the Pentagon on 9/11, forced to return to
    duty the very next day. Many of these heroes were exposed to
    toxic substances that still affect them to this day. Take
    retired Air Force Lt. Col. Susan Lukas, for example. Susan was
    at the Pentagon on 9/11. The next day she returned to duty.
    Soon after, she developed debilitating symptoms, including
    difficulty swallowing and breathing. Years later she was
    diagnosed with a rare lung condition, forcing her to leave the
    career she loved. Today, toxic exposure and PTSD continue to
    impact her life. But you don't have to take my word for it. In
    fact, Susan is here with me today. After this hearing, she is
    ready to share her experience firsthand and discuss ROA's
    proposal to establish a presumption of service-connection for
    her fellow battle buddies.
        ROA again thanks the Committees on Veterans' Affairs for
    the opportunity to testify. Before closing, I would like to
    recognize ROA's policy fellows, Jake Fails, Peter Donlin, and
    Hannah Miller for their contributions to this statement.
        Thank you again and I look forward to answering any
    questions you may have.

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Schwartzman appears on page
    176 of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Schwartzman.
        I want to thank you and thank all of the entire panel for
    their thoughtful testimony, and I will now recognize myself for
    3 minutes for questioning.
        Commander Johnson, your organization directly interacts
    with veterans from various walks of life, especially as they
    navigate VA healthcare. What feedback do you receive from
    veterans regarding their experience with the VA healthcare?
        Mr. Johnson. Most of it is positive, but when it comes to
    making appointments and things like that, it takes a little
    longer than we would want that to happen. We would prefer it to
    be more hands on and more input being more felt and more timely
    because when people are sick, they are sick right then. Okay?
    They don't want to wait until next month. By the time they get
    the appointments, they are well already. So that is the most--a
    lot of the feedback I get from the veterans.
        Chairman Bost. Appreciate that.
        Mr. McManus, can you elaborate on why you believe VA's
    practice of reporting veterans with fiduciary to the National--
    the NI--to the next list, okay, for background check system
    stigmatizes them and discourages them from receiving help from
    VA?
        Mr. McManus. We stand in support in the Military Order of
    Purple Heart and a number of other veterans organizations in
    unison in the efforts to ensure that a level of fairness and
    due process is accessed by our veterans. It is a shame that the
    very people who defend the rights of all Americans are some of
    the ones it has been the easiest to strip away. And we are in
    full support of the Second Amendment Protection Act.
        Chairman Bost. Appreciate that.
        Mr. McManus. Mm-hmm.
        Chairman Bost. Hubbard, in your testimony you highlighted
    the need to restore veterans benefits when there are cases of
    fraud. Would you be supportive to the reintroduction of the
    Student Benefit Restoration Act and the language that passed
    the House 40--406 to 6 last Congress?
        Mr. Hubbard. Thank you for the question, Mr. Chairman.
    Obviously, we appreciated working with your office and
    Congresswoman Delia Ramirez on that language. I think the fact
    that it was passed so overwhelmingly bipartisan demonstrates
    the fact that America and Congress has acknowledged the need
    for veterans to be made whole when they are defrauded. And we
    look forward to working with you and your office on that very
    closely moving forward.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you very much. My time has expired,
    and I now recognize Ranking Member Takano.
        Mr. Takano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My first question is
    for Mr. Mimms from VVA. In your testimony, you identified
    issues that blind and low vision veterans are experiencing when
    using the Veterans Transportation Service. Mr. Mimms, what do
    you think needs to be changed in the VTS program and how do you
    think it could be improved?
        Mr. Mimms. First thing that needs to be improved is it
    needs to be an available service that covers the need. And very
    often the reason those appointments are canceled, that I
    mentioned, is because they don't have enough drivers. I don't
    know how we will recruit a driver because I couldn't apply for
    the job, but I know that there are ways that the VA could come
    up with where they could recruit drivers if they could pay them
    an adequate wage so that it would be something that people
    would want to apply for. I think I will stop there.
        Mr. Takano. Well, have you seen any indication, or are you
    concerned--I want to ask you about Section 508 compliance or
    accessibility. You are kind of laughing a little bit there.
    Section 508 compliance or other accessibility initiatives
    supporting blind and low-vision veterans. Are you concerned
    that they--that this compliance may be impacted by President
    Trump's anti-diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
    Executive order?
        Mr. Mimms. I think it could be if they--if we are lumped as
    blinded veterans or even veterans with different abilities, you
    know, as participants in the program of DEI. But Section 508
    has been around for a long time and it was before they even
    thought of DEI and before they really understood blinded
    veterans. And so it has to do with the VA engaging the purpose,
    engaging in the purchase rather, of equipment that will not
    meet our needs as veterans with these different abilities. But
    they put them in place anyway and then if it works out well,
    then they will think about how to do that later, I guess. But
    in the meantime, once again, that is another barrier. And a
    case in point is the kiosk that they were around. They have
    been around for 12, 15 years and by and large they are still
    not accessible to us, but they keep them in place. Well, that
    is how we check in. Yes, sir.
        Mr. Takano. Well, thank you. I am just very concerned about
    the President's Executive order impacting blind veterans as
    part of DEI.
        Mr. Mimms. Yes.
        Mr. Takano. That is a concern of yours as well, right?
        Mr. Mimms. Yes. You know, as I mentioned, blind rehab,
    there is nothing adequate beyond VA in blind rehab that would
    meet the needs and therefore we get the care that we already
    have. And so I think, you know, once again, we served the
    country, and so we just want you, the 119th Congress, to serve
    us back.
        Well, thank you so much. And I am very concerned that blind
    veterans are going to get caught up in this unnecessary attack.
        Mr. Mimms. I am concerned myself, but I am--I guess I am
    lacking in how to fix it.
        Mr. Takano. Thank you, sir. I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Ramirez, you are
    recognized for 3 minutes.

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

        Mrs. Ramirez. Thank you, Chairman from the--my beloved
    State of Illinois. Appreciate it. And of course, I appreciate
    our Ranking Member from another good state. Not as great as
    Illinois. Just kidding. Just kidding.
        No, I want to start by just saying thank you to all the
    veterans service organizations that are joining us today and
    certainly every veteran that is here today and if there are any
    veterans from Illinois, I want to personally thank you for the
    ways that you have shown up for every American in this Nation
    and the way that you continue to live a life of public service.
    [Applause.] And, yes, I think we need a round of applause.
        [Applause.]
        Thank you to all of you. The reality is that here in the
    Veterans' Affairs Committee, we introduce and we move
    legislation, and hopefully most of that legislation is to make
    the life of veterans better. But that work couldn't be done
    without all of you. So thank you for that.
        I want to especially thank Will Hubbard at the Veterans
    Education Success for the work that you have done for your
    continued advocacy and partnership and advancing policies that
    are going to create parity for student veterans. Because the
    reality is that we don't have that parity just yet. Veterans
    who have served in uniform and have earned their GI Bill
    benefits should have the same exact protections as any other
    student that uses federal education funds. And as you mentioned
    in your testimony, under current law, even when a court or the
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that a school
    defrauded a veteran, that veteran ends up losing their GI Bill
    benefits permanently. Non-veteran students or those that are
    studying under--that are not studying under the GI Bill
    benefits, they have mechanisms in place to protect and restore
    their investments, but veterans don't. And when veterans are
    left out, they are taking advantage at the hands of predatory
    schools and bad actors. These predatory schools begin targeting
    them even before they have returned to civilian life because
    they know they can get away with it.
        And it is why, with your support and the support of so many
    of you, I was proud to introduce and pass the Student Veteran
    Benefit Restoration Act last Congress with overwhelming
    support. And it is why I am proud to be reintroducing it this
    Congress and hopefully get it through the Senate and signed
    into law.
        Mr. Hubbard, in your testimony, you talked a little bit
    about this bill and the importance of this bill, but can you
    explain a little bit more why does this inequity exist for
    those that don't understand the difference in terms of
    restoration? And in your explanation, would you also talk about
    the impact it will have once we finally pass this bill into
    law?
        Mr. Hubbard. Yes. Thank you for not only the question,
    Congresswoman, but also your steadfast support to make this
    happen.
        We hear day in and day out from student veterans who have
    called us to share their stories about unspeakable fraud. As I
    mentioned in my earlier statement, when a student goes to--when
    a veteran goes to school as a student--they are not
    anticipating that the school is going to be a scam. They find
    that out later and unfortunately their GI Bill benefits are
    wasted at that point and given the fact that existing statutory
    authority does not afford them the chance to go back to school,
    your bill, we are hoping, would make that happen. And with that
    kind of legislation in place, our advocacy on behalf of those
    student veterans would actually give them a second chance to
    get back into the economy, something that we strongly support.
        Mrs. Ramirez. Thank you, Mr. Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard, so that
    means that if a veteran has been defrauded, he was about to
    graduate this school, the school bankrupt, they weren't able to
    get their degree, and we know so many veterans that are in that
    condition, they are not able to go to school because if they
    could go back to school, but they would have to now pay out of
    pocket. And we know in many cases that means it is impossible
    for them to go to school and afford thousands and thousands of
    tuition. Our bill will be able to restore benefits and ensure
    that schools in the future won't be able to scam our student
    veterans. Is that correct?
        Mr. Hubbard. Yes. And thank you again for your support on
    that. It is something that we have actively tried to get
    through and look forward to working with your office on.
        Mrs. Ramirez. I look forward to working with you. I
    certainly appreciate our Chairman who was a co-lead on the bill
    and I know we are going to work really hard to ensure that both
    the House and Senate pass it.
        I want to just wrap up in saying again what I said at the
    beginning. To all of you service organizations, to the veterans
    that are here today, may we always remember that our
    responsibility is not partisan politics. Our responsibility is
    to honor your service, to commit to ensure that we are
    increasing benefits for you, not cutting them, and making sure
    that we do everything in our power to ensure that you are
    treated with dignity, you are treated with respect, and that
    you receive the full benefits you have earned and have been
    promised to you. It is what I will continue to do in this
    Committee, and I certainly know that a number of my colleagues
    here will do.
        So, thank you, and with that, I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Dr. Dexter, you are recognized for 3
    minutes.

                          HON. MAXINE DEXTER,
                    U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM OREGON

        Dr. Dexter. Thank you so much to our leadership, Chairman
    Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, Chairman Bost, and Ranking
    Member Takano, for convening this really important hearing. And
    thank you to our witnesses for being with us today and for your
    service to our veterans. Your advocacy on behalf of our
    Nation's veterans is deeply meaningful, and it is an honor to
    be with you today.
        As a physician who has cared for veterans in the Denver VA
    or previously cared for them for seven years, it is my
    privilege to be in this position advocating with you for the
    health care benefits that our veterans have earned and deserve
    to keep in whole.
        In reviewing the written testimony for today's hearing, I
    appreciated that many of you emphasized the importance of
    investing in care specifically tailored to women veterans. This
    is certainly reflective of the experience I had as a VA
    provider, and it is what I hear from folks in the women's
    clinic at the Portland VA, which is in my district or serves my
    district.
        Commander Johnson, do you think it would harm care for
    female veterans to fire providers, cut programs, and close
    clinics that specifically serve this population of patients?
        Mr. Johnson. Absolutely. I mean, our veterans, I mean, our
    female veterans, are veterans just like the rest of us. They go
    to combat. They do everything every other veteran does, and
    they--they are human beings and they get sick and they need
    help just like every other veteran does. And then when you are
    cutting services, when you are cutting the service for the
    female veterans, you are cutting service for veterans, and
    absolutely I agree with that, that would harm us immensely.
        Dr. Dexter. Thank you. I couldn't agree more, and that is
    why I am so concerned about the recent actions from the Trump
    administration impacting our VA workforce. Just last week, I
    had a roundtable with Portland VA leadership and staff, and I
    spoke to staff in the women's health program who said to me,
    and this is a direct quote, ``Women say they love our clinic
    because we have staff that care, but now we have staff that are
    scared, vomiting and freaking out'', and that is the end of
    that quote. And these are the people caring for our veterans.
        Having terrified VA staff absolutely impacts the quality of
    care that our veterans are receiving. I recently heard from a
    patient treated at this clinic who canceled every single one of
    her forthcoming appointments because she is afraid she could be
    retaliated against for getting the care she needs. This is a
    horrifying new reality.
        So as women make up a growing share of the veteran
    population once again, Commander Johnson, what kind of
    investments in VA workforce for women veterans care would the
    veterans you serve like to see, and do you think these are
    possible if the attacks on the VA workforce continue?
        Mr. Johnson. So I haven't--we haven't had a full discussion
    on that. I would like to just say that I would speak to my
    constituents and be able to get back with you at a later date.
        Dr. Dexter. I would appreciate that. Thank you.
        Mr. Johnson. That is--that is a very important question,
    and it should be answered with a lot of consideration.
        Dr. Dexter. Thank you, Commander Johnson. I yield back, Mr.
    Chair.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Dr. Conaway, you are now
    recognized for 3 minutes.

                           HON. HERB CONAWAY,
                  U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW JERSEY

        Dr. Conaway. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am certainly
    pleased to be here and to hear from our veteran community. We
    have a responsibility in this country to make sure those who
    have served us and not only the veteran, but the veterans
    families, are properly cared for. There are a lot of statements
    that are made from the dais such as this and on hustings about
    how much we owe to our veterans in this country and that should
    be met by the appropriate allocations from a budget to have a
    VA that is appropriately staffed to do the job that we ask them
    to do. And particularly as we have expanded access to the VA,
    to different and additional classes of veterans who will need
    to get service there. I am sad to say and sorry to know that
    our allocations, our budget does not reflect the present and
    growing demands that are being placed on the VA.
        My question to Mr. Johnson is, can you elaborate or give
    insight on the mental health services, the treatment, the care
    that veterans are currently receiving and your opinion, and
    others can offer opinion on this as well, and what you think
    ought to be done to ensure that this care is improved?
        Mr. Johnson. Well, I think the funds are there. It is just
    that the management of the system itself is not completely
    conducive of what is going on there. Especially with the TBI,
    the traumatic brain injury, that seems to somehow or another be
    new and it is not new. I mean, we have veterans dealing with
    that on a daily basis.
        Again, we haven't done a complete study on the statistics
    on how it is working. And for me to give you an educated,
    complete answer, I would have to get with my constituents and
    get more based, statistic based information so I can give you a
    better educated answer.
        Dr. Conaway. Would anyone else care to comment on my
    question? Ms.----
        Ms. Menagh. I would just like to address a little bit,
    continue about the TBI. That is something we are very concerned
    about. Studies, non-military studies, have shown that a TBI
    anytime in your life, even the mildest concussion, doubles the
    chance of suicide. Sometimes in your life there is such a
    stigma about suicide and mental health, and we would like to
    see more studies to show the physicality of the influence of
    the TBI on suicide and also about the, you know, difficulties
    with the claim process. Thank you.
        Dr. Conaway. Thank you. I would also ask of anyone who
    cares to answer. I have a great deal of concern that is broadly
    shared, I believe, about the cuts that have been occurring
    across the system that are indiscriminate. And while there have
    been some who have been saved from these cuts, there are issues
    with respect to people who bring food to patients in
    facilities, people who clean those facilities, people who
    provide security at those facilities. And that needs to be
    addressed in my view as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. At this time, I would like to
    recognize Ranking Member Takano for any closing remarks he
    might have.
        Mr. Takano. Well, I want to thank all the veterans service
    organizations that appear before us today and thank all of the
    veterans who have come to Washington to advocate on their
    behalf. Let me just say that I am awaiting answers from the
    Secretary about the firings of veterans. As you know, the VFW
    has condemned the indiscriminate dismissals of veterans,
    veterans who have had stellar performance reviews. I fail to
    see how this advances the mission of VA and I--and I have
    serious concerns about mission-critical employees being
    dismissed.
        With that, I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. I thank the Ranking Member for his closing
    statement, and I do also want to say thank you for every one of
    you being here.
        And I want to offer to you the exact same thing that I
    offered to the previous panel. If you see at any time that your
    services that you specifically deal with for your veterans that
    you represent are being interfered with as we change because I
    think it was in Mr. Johnson's testimony that he said there are
    ineffective programs out there as we need to go wisely through.
    And I am going to--I could ask which one of the people on the
    panel are taxpayers? And I would say you probably all raise
    your hand. And that means that we want to make sure that the
    dollars that we are spending on our veterans are going to
    provide those services that actually benefit our veterans, not
    necessarily benefit a bureaucracy. There is a difference. There
    is a difference. And as this Chairman of this Committee, I have
    said very openly time and time again and will continue to say
    so, the VA was created for the benefit of the veterans, not the
    benefit of bureaucracy.
        As we move forward, you have heard a lot of things,
    including the fact that veterans are being laid off. Some of
    those that have worked may be veterans, but most of them are
    employees. But as we move forward, it is to make sure that the
    best services are provided. That is why I offered what I just
    said. If there is any reduction in service or someone that you
    know that works at the VA that has been improperly released
    from their employment, please come to me and my office because
    we will argue on their behalf. But to make blanket statements
    based on some reform that has been much needed, I think quite
    often runs into rhetoric that we unfortunately use our veterans
    and our veterans service organizations as pawns, and I don't
    want to see that.
        So with that being said, once again, I want to say thank
    you to all of you, and that concludes the today's joint VSO
    hearing. And I think it is clear that the Committee is
    collaborating and in its collaboration with the VA, have more
    work to do in service for our veterans and their families.
        Now, I ask unanimous consent that all Members shall have
    five legislative days in which to revise and extend their
    remarks and include any extenuous material. Hearing no
    objection, so ordered, and the hearing is now adjourned.
        [Whereupon, at 12:58 p.m., the Joint Committees were
    adjourned.]

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