VFW Action Corps Weekly
Take Action to Say NO to Putting Veterans in Debt: Make your voices heard by taking action TODAY. Veterans should never go into debt to access their earned benefits! The VFW has repeatedly expressed concerns about charging veterans for initial claims assistance based on their future benefits, and thus, we strongly oppose H.R. 3132, CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025, as written. This would potentially put veterans into debt even before utilizing their benefits. Tell your representatives to vote NO when this bill is brought to the House floor for a vote.
VFW Speaks at Star Act Press Conference:The VFW stood alongside partner Veterans Service Organizations, supporters, and advocates to urge for swift passage of VFW-championed H.R.2102/S.1032, Major Richard Star Act. America’s veterans have served and sacrificed for this country, and the VFW is calling upon Congress to pass this commonsense bill to finally take care of medically retired veterans who were wounded in service. Former VFW National Legislative Director Pat Murray spoke at the press conference and stated, "Nearly three-quarters of Congress in both chambers, and on both sides of the aisle, support the Star Act. It certainly doesn’t lack support for cosponsors. What it does lack, though, are votes for the bill." It is time for Congress to bring the Major Richard Star Act to the floor for a vote. Watch the press conference.
VFW Meets with Committee Leadership:VFW Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci and National Legislative Director Kristina Keenan had meetings with Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano to discuss the VFW's legislative priorities and our call to Honor the Contract to ensure that veterans receive the benefits they have earned and deserve as promised in military service contracts. Additionally, they discussed the need to improve VA's Foreign Medical Program and urged support for H.R. 467, Foreign Medical Program Modernization Act of 2025. They also expressed disappointment that H.R. 3132, CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025, was passed out of the House committee. This legislation would benefit predatory, unaccredited claims consultants that the VFW calls Claim Sharks, and risks putting veterans into debt. Both ranking members committed to cracking down on these bad actors and discussed other potential federal solutions.
VFW Provides Statement for Senate Hearing:VFW National Legislative Director Kristina Keenan provided a statement for the record for a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs pending legislation hearing. She provided input on proposals that include improvements to VA health care, research on brain injuries caused by low-level blast exposure, grants for transportation to medical appointments for rural veterans, enhanced access to service dogs, and expanded education benefits. One of the VFW's top legislative priorities covered in the hearing, S. 649, Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025, would allow reserve component service members to earn GI Bill benefits for every day served, including annual training, drill weekends, and short activations for natural disasters and border security operations. Read the testimony.
House Passes Nine Veteran Bills: The House passed nine bipartisan bills for veterans and their families. The VFW recently provided written testimony in support of H.R. 1286, Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act, that would improve VA forms sent to veterans regarding their claims for benefits; H.R. 1578, Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025, that would inform and provide resources to veterans who file VA disability claims on how to seek free, accredited representation, and how to report unaccredited representatives who charge unauthorized fees for their services; and H.R. 2201, Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act, that would provide annual sensitivity training to VA employees who process disability claims for conditions related to military sexual trauma. Read more.
Seeking Veterans for Perimenopause and Menopause Survey: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is seeking input from veterans about VA care related to perimenopause and menopause. Veterans between the ages of 35 to 64 who are enrolled at a VA medical center and have accessed any care at VA or through community care related to perimenopause or menopause in the last 24 months are eligible to participate. Please take the brief and anonymous GAO survey by June 15, 2025.