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Veterans service organizations press Congress to finish Dole Act implementation, strengthen PACT Act processes and improve transition supports
Summary
National VSOs at a joint congressional hearing outlined legislative priorities: full funding and implementation of the Elizabeth Dole Act provisions, codifying a faster presumptive process under the PACT Act, GI Bill parity for Guard/reserve, TAP improvements and investments in suicide prevention and EHR modernization.
Leaders of major veterans service organizations told a joint House–Senate Veterans' Affairs hearing they want Congress to move from passing statutes to funding and implementing programs that affect veterans’ daily lives.
"We deeply appreciate the opportunity to discuss our legislative priorities for the 119th Congress," James LaCourcier, national commander of The American Legion, said in opening testimony. VSOs urged completion and implementation of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, stronger presumptive‑condition procedures under the Honoring our PACT Act, enhanced transition assistance for separating service members, and sustained funding for suicide prevention and caregiver supports.
Why it matters: Witnesses described concrete outcomes tied to these priorities. The American Legion highlighted the need for an effective electronic health record system that follows service members from enlistment through veteran status. VSOs called for codifying a predictable, timely framework to consider new presumptive conditions so that veterans do not face decades of delay like past toxic‑exposure cases.
Specific asks and examples: several organizations urged:
- Full execution of Dole Act provisions and immediate appropriations to fund per‑diem and transitional housing supports; MOAA and others said funding remains a barrier to implementing those programs.
- A codified process for new presumptions under the PACT Act so claims tied to toxic exposure can be adjudicated faster. "We must end the wait," said Renee Campos, Military Officers Association of America.
- GI Bill parity for National Guard and Reserve members and improvements to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Senator Moran and others highlighted bills (including a National Guard GI Bill Parity Act and a TAP Promotion Act) as bipartisan priorities.
- Continued investment in suicide prevention programs and community grants (including the Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox grants and the American Legion's Be The 1 training), and stronger data and evaluation standards for community‑based programs, emphasized by the Danieliello Institute.
- Passage of the Major Richard Star Act to expand concurrent receipt for combat‑injured retirees, requested by Wounded Warrior Project and other groups.
Committee response and next steps: lawmakers from both parties thanked VSOs for their advocacy and asked for follow‑up documentation. Ranking members stressed the need for oversight to ensure that enacted laws receive the funding and programmatic attention required for effective implementation.
Ending: Witnesses said they will continue to work with Congress to move bills from passage to implementation and to provide evidence from the field to guide appropriations and administrative practice.
