Cannon House Office Building (Photo: 颐园居)
Monday, The American Legion Legislative Commission and Council convened at the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing room, a historic first, at the Cannon Office Building on Capitol Hill, per The American Legion HQ. Chairman Matthew Shuman encouraged attendees to reflect on the importance of the location, where many decisions affecting Veteran healthcare and benefits are made.
Members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion heard from U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a staffer from Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), and professional staff from the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs committees discussed legislative priorities for the 119th Congress and prepared for meetings with elected officials during the 65th Washington Conference.
Discussions covered the changing federal landscape, budget concerns, and essential Veteran issues, including:
- Balancing VA and community-provided healthcare
- VA home-loan transferability
- Concurrent receipt of DoD retirement pensions and VA disability compensation
- Toxic exposure relief for Veterans
- GI Bill parity for National Guard and reserve members
Rep. Khanna urged support for the Veterans Home Loan Transferability Act, which would allow Veterans to transfer their VA Home Loan benefits to immediate family members. He emphasized how this measure could assist younger generations facing difficulties in homeownership.
Nathan Stamps from Rep. Bilirakis’ office spoke about bipartisan efforts to pass a concurrent-receipt bill, which would enable certain military retirees with disabilities to receive both DoD pensions and VA disability benefits without offset. He encouraged Legion members to advocate for the Major Richard Star Act, named in honor of a decorated combat Veteran, which addresses compensation fairness for disabled retirees.
A panel discussion with professional staff leaders from both the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs outlined the priorities of their respective chairmen and ranking members. They also addressed topics such as VA Accountability Act, GI Bill Parity Act, and improvements to the PACT Act, which expanded VA healthcare and benefits to millions of veterans previously ineligible due to toxic exposure.
Panelists and speakers from both parties stressed the value of collaborating with The American Legion and governing with civility to prioritize the needs of Veterans.
The National American Legion Legislative Division staff reviewed several pending and proposed bills affecting Veterans and national security:
S. 275/H.R. 740: Veterans Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers, ACCESS, Act of 2025
Veterans Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers, ACCESS, Act of 2025 seeks to expand Veterans’ access to non-VA healthcare providers, reducing wait times and increasing care options, especially in rural and underserved areas.
H.R. 1004/S. 140: Love Lives On Act
The Love Lives On Act allows surviving spouses of Veterans to retain VA benefits upon remarriage, ensuring continued financial support for families of fallen servicemembers.
H.R. 680: Caring for Survivors Act
The Caring for Survivors Act proposes to increase Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, DIC, benefits to better align with payments provided under other federal programs, providing additional support to surviving family members.
The National Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act
The National Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act grants credit for service under specific duty statuses, ensuring National Guard and reserve members have equal access to education benefits under the GI Bill.
H.R. 1288/S. 599: Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veterans, DRIVE, Act
The Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veterans, DRIVE, Act seeks to ensure that Veterans traveling for medical care receive travel reimbursements equal to those provided to federal employees.
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act
The Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act reinstates penalties for individuals or entities processing fraudulent VA benefits claims, safeguarding Veterans from exploitation.
H.R. 488: Combating Cartels on Social Media Act
The Combating Cartels on Social Media Act seeks to curb recruitment efforts by transnational criminal organizations using social media platforms to target vulnerable individuals, including Veterans and young Americans.
U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS
The United States has yet to ratify this international agreement, which governs maritime navigation and deep-sea resource rights. While other nations, including China, gain strategic and economic benefits under UNCLOS, U.S. leaders continue to debate its implications for national security and global influence.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
