Congressional Testimony

Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2018

Carlos Fuentes, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States on behalf of the co-authors of the Independent Budget for the record Committee on Veterans Affairs United States House of Representatives FOR THE RECORD COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH RESPECT TO “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget ...

Pending Legislation

Statement of Kayda Keleher, associate director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign of the United States before the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017

Statement of Ryan M. Gallucci, Director National Veterans Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives With Respect To “Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017” WASHINGTON, D.C. Chairman Roe, Ranking Member Walz, and distinguished members of the Committee, on ...

Preventing Veteran Suicide

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, Director National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States For the Record United States Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies With Respect To Preventing Veteran Suicide WASHINGTON, DC Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Schatz and members of the ...

H.R. 105, H.R. 299, H.R. 1328, H.R. 1329, H.R. 1390, H.R. 1564, and H.R. 1725

Statement of Patrick Murray, Associate Director National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs With Respect To H.R. 105, H.R. 299, H.R. 1328, H.R. 1329, H.R. 1390, H.R. 1564, and H.R. 1725 WASHINGTON, DC ...

Public Hearing

Statement Of Carlos Fuentes, Director, National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States Before The Subcommittee On Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Committee on Appropriations United States House of Representatives With Respect To “Public Hearing" WASHINGTON, D.C. Chairman Dent, Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz and members of the ...

H.R 91, H.R. 95, H.R. 467, H.R. 907, H.R. 918, H.R. 1005, H.R. 1162, H.R. 1545, H.R. 1662, And Draft Legislation

Statement Of Kayda Keleher, Legislative Associate National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States Before The Subcommittee on Health Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives With Respect To “H.R 91, H.R. 95, H.R. 467, H.R. 907, H.R. 918, H.R. 1005, H.R. 1162, H.R. 1545, H.R. 1662, And Draft Legislation” WAS ...

DOD Civilian Personnel Reform

Statement of Sarah Maples, Director National Security and Foreign Affairs Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States For the Record Subcommittee on Personnel Committee on Armed Services United States Senate With Respect To DOD Civilian Personnel Reform WASHINGTON, D.C. Chairman Tillis, Ranking Member Gillibrand, and distinguished members of the Personnel Subcommittee, on behalf of ...

Healthy Hiring: Enabling VA to Recruit and Retain Quality Providers

Statement Of Carlos Fuentes, Director National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States For the Record Subcomittee on Health Comittee on Veterans' Affairs United States House of Representatives With Respect To “Healthy Hiring: Enabling VA to Recruit and Retain Quality Providers WASHINGTON, D.C. ...

Congressional Statement of VFW National Commander Brian Duffy

Statement of Brian Duffy Commander-in-Chief Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Before the Joint Hearing of the Committees on Veterans' Affairs United States Senate and United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. Chairmen Isakson and Roe, Ranking Members Tester and Walz, Members of the Senate and House Veteran’s Affairs Committees, it is my honor to represent ...

Exploring National Work Queue's Impact on Claims Processing

Statement of Ryan Gallucci, Deputy Director National Veterans Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives With Respect to “Exploring National Work Queue’s Impact on Claims Processing” WASHINGTON, DC & ...

Assessing the VA IT Landscape: Progress and Challenges

Statement Of Ryan Gallucci, Deputy Director National Veterans Service Veterans of the Foreign Wars of the United States For the Record United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs With Respect To “Assessing the VA IT Landscape: Progress and Challenges” WASHINGTON, DC ...

From Tumult to Transformation: The Commission on Care and the Future of the VA Healthcare System

STATEMENT OF CARLOS FUENTES, DEPUTY DIRECTOR NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE RECORD UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS WITH RESPECT TO “From Tumult to Transformation: The Commission on Care and the Future of the VA Healthcare System& ...

Pending Legislation

STATEMENT OF CARLOS FUENTES, DEPUTY DIRECTOR NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS UNITED STATES SENATE WITH RESPECT TO Pending Legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. ...

Congressional Testimony Before the SVAC with Respect to Pending Legislation

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs with respect to Assessing the Promise and Progress of the Choice Program.

H.R. 2460, H.R. 3956, H.R. 3974, H.R. 3989 and Draft Legislation

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health with respect to H.R. 2460, H.R. 3956, H.R. 3974, H.R. 3989.

A Review of Veterans Preference in Federal Government Hiring

Statement of Aleks Morosky, deputy director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to a review of veterans preference in federal government hiring.

H.R. 748, H.R. 2551, H.R. 3286, H.R. 3419, H.R. 4138, and Draft Legislation

Statement of Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 748, H.R. 2551, H.R. 3286, H.R. 3419, H.R. 4138.

H.R. 3715, H.R. 3936, H.R. 4087, H.R. 4757, H.R. 4758, H.R. 4759, H.R. 4782, and Draft Legislation

Statement of Aleks Morosky, deputy director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs with respect to H.R. 3715, H.R. 3936, H.R. 4087, H.R. 4757, H.R. 4758, H.R. 4759, H.R. 4782.

Draft Legislation to Improve the Authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Hire and Retain Physicians and Other Employees of the VA

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Subcommittees on Health and Economic Opportunity Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Draft legislation.

Congressional Testimony: Military Personnel Posture

Statement of Joseph E. Davis, director of Public Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Washington Office before the Senate Armed Services Committee Personnel Subcommittee with respect to Military Personnel Posture.

2016 Congressional Statement of VFW National Commander John A. Biedrzycki Jr.

Statement of John A. Biedrzycki, Jr., commander-in-chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, before the joint hearing of the Committees on Veterans Affairs, United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.

Choice Consolidation: Improving VA Community Care Billing and Reimbursement

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health with respect to Choice Consolidation: Improving VA Community Care Billing and Reimbursement.

Choice Consolidation: Evaluating Eligibility Requirements for Care in the Community

Is Transition Assistance on Track

Statement of Aleks Morosky, deputy director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States Senate with respect to Is Transition Assistance On Track?

Concurrent Receipt of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Payments & Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Payments

Statement of Joseph E. Davis, Director of Public Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Washington Office before the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee with respect to Concurrent Receipt of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Payments & Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Payments.

Choice Consolidation: Assessing VA's Plan to Improve Care in the Community

Statement of the Independent Budget for the record United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs with respect to Choice Consolidation: Assessing VA's Plan to Improve Care in the Community.

Increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability to Veterans Act of 2015

Statement of Aleks Morosky, deputy director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States Senate with respect to S. 290, S. 563, S. 564, S. 1450, S. 1451, S. 1460, S. 1693, S. 1856, S. 1938.

Assessing the Promise and Progress of the Choice Program

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Veterans' Affairs with respect to Assessing the Promise and Progress of the Choice Program.

Exploring the Implementation and Future of the Veterans Choice Program

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the United States House Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs with respect to Exploring the Implementation and Future of the Veterans Choice Program.

Examining Access and Quality of Care and Services for Women Veterans

Statement of Aleks Morosky, deputy director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Examining Access and Quality of Care and Services for Women Veterans.

The Veterans Choice Act – Exploring the Distance Criteria

Statement of Carlos Fuentes, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the United States Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs with respect to The Veterans Choice Act – Exploring the Distance Criteria.

A Review of Higher Education Opportunities for the Newest Generation of Veterans

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on economic opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to A Review of Higher Education Opportunities for the Newest Generation of Veterans.

2015 Congressional Statement of VFW National Commander John W. Stroud's

Statement of John W. Stroud, commander-in-chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, before the joint hearing of the Committees on Veterans Affairs United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.

A Review of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

Statement of Ryan M. Gallucci, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to A Review of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

Veterans' Dilemma: Navigating the Appeals System for Veterans Claims

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs with respect to Veterans’ Dilemma: Navigating the Appeals System for Veterans Claims.

Building a Better VA: Assessing Ongoing Major Construction Management Problems within the Department

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Building a Better VA: Assessing Ongoing Major Construction Management Problems within the Department.

Challenges in Rural America: VA Access and Mental Health Care

Statement of Kathie Schiebel, state commander of New Mexico, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Challenges in Rural America: VA Access and Mental Health Care.

The State of VA Health Care

Statement of Ryan M. Gallucci, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Committee United States Senate with respect to The State of VA Health Care.

Beneficiary and Advocacy Overview of FY15 President's Budget

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, for the record, Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel United States House of Representatives with respect to Beneficiary and Advocacy Overview of FY15 President’s Budget.

Beyond Transformation: Reviewing Current Status and Secondary Effects of VBA Technology

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs with respect to Beyond Transformation: Reviewing Current Status and Secondary Effects of VBA Technology.

Building VA's Future – Confronting Persistent Challenges in VA's Major Construction and Lease Programs

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to VA’s Future – Confronting Persistent Challenges in VA’s Major Construction and Lease Programs.

Focused Issues on Dignified Burials: A National Cemetery Update

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Focused Issues on Dignified Burials: A National Cemetery Update.

Effect of Government Shutdown on VA Benefits and Services to Veterans

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Effect of Government Shutdown on VA Benefits and Services to Veterans.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs-HVAC

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disablility Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Implementation Update: Fully Developed Claims.

Building Job Opportunities for Veterans

Statement of Ryan M. Gallucci, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Joint Economic Committee United States Congress with respect to Building Job Opportunities for Veterans.

Why Are Veterans Waiting Years on Appeal?: A Review of the Post-Decision Process for Appealed Veterans' Disability Benefits Claims.

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Why Are Veterans Waiting Years on Appeal?: A Review of the Post-Decision Process for Appealed Veterans’ Disability Benefits Claims.

Congressional Testimony: Pending Benefits Legislation

Expediting Claims or Exploiting Statistics: An Examination of VA's Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Pending Over Two Years

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the record Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Expediting Claims or Exploiting Statistics: An Examination of VA’s Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Pending Over Two Years.

Economic Opportunity Bill Hearing before HVAC

Statement of Ryan M. Gallucci, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 357, H.R. 562, H.R. 631, H.R. 844, H.R. 1305, H.R. 1316 and H.R. 1402.

DAMA Bill Hearing

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 2355, H.R. 2996, H.R. 4299, H.R. 5735, H.R. 5880, H.R. 5881 and H.R. 2720.

Examining Executive Order #13607 and Its Impact on Schools and Veterans

Statement of Ryan M. Gallucci, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect Examining Executive Order #13607 and Its Impact on Schools and Veterans.

DAMA Bill Hearing

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 4114, H.R. 4142, H.R. 2051, H.R. 2498, H.R. 2377, H.R. 2717, H.R. 4168, and H.R. 4213.

HVAC EO Bill Hearing

Statement of Ryan M. Gallucci, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 3329, H.R. 3483, H.R. 3610, H.R. 3670, H.R. 3524, H.R. 4048, H.R. 4051, H.R. 4052, H.R. 4057 and H.R. 4072.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 4114, H.R. 4142, H.R. 2051, H.R. 2498, H.R. 2377, H.R. 2717, H.R. 4168, and H.R. 4213.

Economic Opportunity

Statement of Shane Barker, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee with respect to Committee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives H.R. 120, H.R. 240, H.R. 1263, H.R. 1911, H.R. 2274, H.R. 2301, H.R. 2302, H.R. 2329, H.R. 2345.

Congressional Testimony: Underperforming VA Regional Offices

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs with regards to Underperforming VA Regional Offices.

Draft Legislation and Various Other Priority Issues

Statement of Shane Barker, senior legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 802, H.R. 1383, H.R. 1657, and DRAFT Legislation.

Deconstructing the Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Planning

Statement of Raymond C. Kelley, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Deconstructing the Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Planning.

Congressional Testimony: Update of the Post 9/11 GI Bill - September 16, 2010

Statement of James D. Wear, assistant director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to Update of the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Pending Legislation

Statement of Eric A. Hilleman, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to Pending Legislation.

Addressing Various Veterans Economic Issues

Statement of Justin Brown, legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 3257, H.R. 3484, H.R. 3813, H.R. 3948, H.R. 3976, H.R. 4079, H.R. 4203, H.R. 4359, and H.R. 4469.

Examination of the VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge And Quick Start Programs

Statement of Gerald T. Manar, deputy director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to the Examination of the VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge and Quick Start Programs.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health with Respect to Various Veterans' Issues

Statement of Justin Brown, legislative associate, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health United States House of Representatives with respect to H.R. 1017, H.R. 1036, H.R. 2504, H.R. 2559, H.R. 2735, H.R. 3073, and H.R. 3441.

Addressing the VA Claims Backlog

Statement of Robert Jackson, assistant director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs United States House of Representatives with respect to Addressing the VA Claims Backlog.

Assessing CARES and the Future of VA's Health Infrastructure

Statement of Dennis M. Cullinan, director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health United States House of Representatives with respect to Assessing Cares and the Future of VA’s Health Infrastructure.

Committees on VA House of Representatives and Senate

Statement of Glen M. Gardner, Jr. commander-in-chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States before the joint hearing of the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs United States House of Representatives and United States Senate.