American Legion lays out priorities: PACT Act implementation, TAP reform, suicide prevention

The American Legion told a joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs hearing that its top priorities include completing PACT Act implementation, strengthening transition assistance and electronic health records, expanding suicide‑prevention efforts and pursuing GI Bill parity for Guard and Reserve members.

James LaCourciere, national commander of The American Legion, described the organization’s broad priorities and the group’s role in supporting veterans: “If we fail to live up to these important covenants, the thanks of a grateful nation to those who have sacrificed so much simply falls flat,” he said in prepared remarks.

Why it matters: The American Legion represents nearly three million members and has been a consistent advocate for changes to VA policy and legislation. Committee members and witnesses agreed that better implementation of existing laws and improved transition services could reduce downstream problems such as delayed claims, homelessness and suicide.

Key proposals and discussion: - PACT Act implementation: Witnesses called for expedited use of the PACT Act’s new presumptive framework so that veterans do not wait years for recognition of service‑connected conditions. The Legion urged VA to brief VSOs regularly on new presumptive decisions. - Transition assistance (TAP): The Legion and multiple members urged an earlier and more outcome‑driven TAP to convert military skills into civilian employment and reduce suicide risk in the first year after discharge. - Electronic health records (EHR): The Legion emphasized completion of the EHR modernization program to ensure medical and deployment histories move with service members into VA care. - Suicide prevention and peer support: The Legion highlighted its Be The 1 program and partnerships with Columbia University, noting training for more than 12,000 people and local outreach to prevent veteran suicide. - GI Bill parity and caregiver support: The Legion supported legislation to extend GI Bill benefits to Guard and Reserve members and urged more robust caregiver supports and reemployment programs.

What committee members said: Senators and representatives from both parties praised VSOs’ role in the 2022 PACT Act and in earlier legislation; several lawmakers repeated the need not only to pass legislation but to ensure effective implementation and sufficient VA workforce capacity to carry it out.

Ending: The American Legion asked for continued collaboration with Congress and VA officials and pledged to follow up on implementation details through the committees’ oversight process.