VFW Action Corps Weekly

VFW Advocacy Opposition Halts Benefits Cuts for Now: For the second time in recent weeks, VFW leadership, staff and more than 100 advocates from at least 30 states converged on Capitol Hill visiting every congressional office to communicate the organization’s opposition to Section 108 of H.R.9237 / S.4744, Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, which would reduce future veterans' disability compensation for tinnitus and sleep apnea through changes to VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Heated debate on H.R. 9237 took place on the House floor followed by a motion to recommit, which would have sent the bill back to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, but the motion was rejected with a vote of 210-211. House leadership then pulled the bill from the floor, delaying further action. The VFW has repeatedly asserted that earned veterans’ disability benefits and compensation shall never be used as a legislative budgetary pay-for. Watch VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore’s statement.

VFW Testifies at Subcommittee Oversight Hearing: VFW National Veterans Service Deputy Director Gregg Orto testified before a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization oversight hearing to address needs within VA. Orto spoke about continued development of the Veterans Benefits Management System and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives within the disability claims process. He pointed out the challenges of working with a system that is 16 years old. Accredited representatives and VA employees must navigate multiple disconnected platforms that are fragmented and cause delays, duplication, inconsistency and increased risk of errors and missed evidence. He stated, “The VFW does believe that service members and veterans deserve a modernized system that provides real-time visibility, integrated communications tools and seamless coordination across all VA benefit lines and the appeals processes.” He also said the VFW recognizes the growing role of automation and AI to improve administrative efficiency and reduce workload, but cautions that they should be used as tools to assist VA employees, not replace them, citing the need for human judgment and compassion in assisting with veterans’ claims. Read the testimony or watch the hearing, which begins at the 31:18 mark.

House Committee Holds Discharge Review Roundtable: VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Joy Craig participated in a roundtable hosted by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano, D-Calif., to examine barriers veterans with less than honorable discharges face when accessing VA benefits and services. Discussion focused on review processes, transition challenges and the impact of administrative and punitive discharges related to post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma and other mitigating factors. Craig emphasized the importance of ensuring service members facing involuntary separation receive specialized transition support, and understand their options for discharge review and potential eligibility for VA benefits. She also highlighted provisions in both the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 that would establish a senior DOD official responsible for overseeing military-to-civilian transition and strengthening support for separating service members, which the VFW strongly supports. Watch the roundtable.

Reno Welcomes VFW National Convention: The 127th VFW National Convention is taking place July 25 – 29, 2026, in Reno, Nev. Every year, thousands of VFW and Auxiliary delegates gather to represent the organization’s more than 1.3 million combined membership. The focus while there is to elect new VFW leadership and approve resolutions to guide our priorities in Washington, D.C., as we advocate for our nation’s veterans, service members and their families. Be sure to search #VFWConvention on social media, view vfw.org/Convention and download the VFW Events app for helpful information and convention news.

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced six identifications and one burial update for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II.

Identifications:

-- World War II Army Pvt. Jacob Cornsilk

-- World War II Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Harold T. Thompson

-- World War II Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Given C. Grooms

-- World War II Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Nick Gavalas

-- World War II Army Air Forces Cpl. Gerald W. Herrington

-- World War II Army Air Forces Sgt. William A. Jones

Update:

-- World War II Army Air Forces Sgt. Henry L. Younge, Virginia

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