MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United States House of Representatives voted to pass Congresswoman Kim Schrier’s, M.D. (WA-08), bipartisan legislation to improve the quality and nutrition of school lunches by allowing public schools to serve reduced-fat and whole milk. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act was unanimously passed by the Senate last month and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. 

“As a pediatrician, I know how important a balanced and nutritious diet is for children’s health and development, and I’m thrilled that my bipartisan bill has passed the House and is heading to the president’s desk,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “Ensuring that our children have access to a healthy diet is fundamental to their physical growth, academic performance, and overall well-being, and can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. Milk is a significant part of many children’s diets and contains essential nutrients that keep them full and healthy. This bill will improve children’s nutrition by allowing schools to provide the types of milk most kids prefer to drink, and I’m eager to see this legislation signed into law.”

“I have worked for a decade to restore whole milk to our school cafeterias, which have been limiting healthy choices for students, but that changes today,” said Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. “Whole milk is an essential building block for a well-rounded and balanced diet, and students should have the option to choose the milk they love. I am proud that my bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, passed the House today and now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature.”

Whole milk has been prohibited in school lunches for over a decade due to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. That bill changed nutrition standards and mandated that flavored milk be fat-free and traditional milk be, at most, 1% fat. Congresswoman Schrier’s bill would amend the nutrition standards and allow schools to serve flavored and unflavored reduced-fat (2%) and whole milk.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is supported by Darigold, the National Milk Producers Federation, and the International Dairy Foods Association.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual piece of legislation that authorizes defense programs to maintain military readiness and increase national security. The package includes provisions that will raise pay for service members, bolster access to quality healthcare and child care, and authorize millions to build new schools. This year’s legislation finally reclaims Congress’ war power authority, after delegating that responsibility to the president for decades.

“This bipartisan bill makes vital investments to bolster our national security at home and abroad, and support those brave service members who protect our country,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I’m proud to cast my vote to give our service members a much-deserved pay raise, provide proper oversight of the Trump Administration, and strengthen healthcare and child care access for our military personnel.” 

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 includes these key provisions:

• Provides a 3.8% pay raise for all service members and increases the Family Separation Allowance for deployed service members.
• Makes the most substantive reforms to the defense acquisition process and system in decades.
• Repeals the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq, preventing further involvement in the Middle East without appropriate congressional oversight. 
• Fences funding until the Secretary of Defense provides unedited videos of strikes that have occurred in the Caribbean, as well as copies of related classified Executive Orders. 
• Makes necessary investments to maintain our standing across the globe by strengthening nuclear deterrence, expanding missile defense, and providing critical resources and authorities to counter adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. 
• Authorizes $491 million to build new child care centers, extends the Child Care in Your Home pilot program, and improves the fee assistance program rate cap for eligible community-based child care providers.
• Prevents the Department from reducing healthcare staff and expands travel reimbursement for specialty care.
• Requires an assessment of mental health staffing levels, wait times, and the availability of telehealth services. 
• Authorizes over $206 million to build new Department of Defense Education Activity schools, authorizes $50 million in Impact Aid assistance, and allows Department schools to limit or ban student cell phone use.
• Allows retiring service members to move into civilian defense positions and establishes a transition assistance pilot program for military spouses.
• Authorizes $800 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative over two years and additional funding for the Baltic Security Initiative and Taiwan Security Initiative. 

You can read more about the FY26 NDAA here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

WASHINGTON—Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Linda Sánchez (CA-38) led a bipartisan letter from 27 of their colleagues from the Committee on Ways and Means, expressing grave concerns about Canada’s digital trade barriers. The letter was addressed to Canada-US Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States Kristen Hillman.  
“While we are strong supporters of the bilateral relationship with Canada, discriminatory policies, like the Online Streaming Act, undermine the value of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),” the lawmakers write. 

Canada’s Online Streaming Act “is actively restricting access, disadvantaging U.S. companies and artists, and undermining the shared commitment to fair competition that is essential as our countries prepare for the USMCA review,” the letter states. 

The Online Streaming Act is a discriminatory tax that requires American streaming companies operating in Canada to contribute part of their revenues to funds that produce local Canadian content. Estimates show that this law could cost American companies up to $7 billion by 2030. 

Read the full letter. Full text below. 

Dear Minister LeBlanc and Ambassador Hillman,

We write to share our deep concerns with Canada’s Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11)
and the subsequent Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
implementing decisions. We urge the Canadian Government to rescind this digital trade barrier
immediately, including by terminating the collection of fees. This is especially important as our
two countries undertake the six-year review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
(USMCA). While we are strong supporters of the bilateral relationship with Canada,
discriminatory policies, like the Online Streaming Act, undermine the value of the United States-
Mexico-Canada Agreement.

As you know, the Online Streaming Act requires foreign streaming services to contribute five
percent of gross revenues to Canadian production funds as a condition of market access. A
forthcoming CRTC decision may extend these obligations further, adding direct spending
requirements tied to what the Canadian government deems to be “Canadian content.” This
constitutes a clearly discriminatory and burdensome levy on cross-border trade that violates the
spirit of the USMCA.

The USMCA was built upon principles of fair and cooperative trade, and decisions that impose
discriminatory regulations on American platforms create a clear distortion in the digital
marketplace. Under this law, Canada is actively restricting access, disadvantaging U.S.
companies and artists, and undermining the shared commitment to fair competition that is
essential as our countries prepare for the USMCA review.

Additionally, streaming services are a vital part of the Canadian economy, but the
implementation of the Online Streaming Act threatens to chill foreign investment. In 2022,
global studios and streaming platforms invested $7.58 billion1 in production in Canada, while
music streaming specifically generated more than $422.7 million in recorded music revenue in
Canada in 20242. Global studios increased their production levels in Canada by 285 percent
between 2011 and 2021, with an average of 97 percent of cast, crew, and production personnel
working on those projects in Canada3. Heavy-handed regulations from the Canadian government
could jeopardize these foreign investments through the Online Streaming Act and CRTC
decisions.

This law not only endangers cross-border investment but also risks undermining confidence in
Canada’s commitment to a fair and open digital marketplace at the precise moment when our
countries should be working to strengthen cooperation ahead of the USMCA review. We
recognize the importance of the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and appreciate Canada’s decision
to rescind its Digital Services Tax Act. This was the right call, and it certainly improves
opportunities for bilateral cooperation. However, the Online Streaming Act poses an equally
significant threat to this relationship. As we begin our work to prepare for the USMCA review
next year, we urge you to rescind the Online Streaming Act to show a true willingness to end
discrimination against American companies and artists.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) voted in favor of the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act (H.R. 6703) and released the following statement:

“The Democrats made empty promises to the American people a decade and a half ago. Their poorly named “Affordable” Care Act has been anything but affordable for my constituents who purchase their health coverage from the marketplace. The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act will do exactly what it says—reduce premiums for all Americans, not just those on the Obamacare marketplace, and give them more options when choosing their health care,”said Rep. Smucker.

Background:  

The Congressional Budget Office reports the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act will “reduce gross benchmark premiums by 11 percent.”

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act, courtesy of Speaker Mike Johnson: 

Lowers Premiums for all Americans

• Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency: Requires PBMs to provide employers with detailed data on prescription drug spending, rebates, spread pricing, and formulary decisions—empowering plans and workers with the transparency they deserve.
• Appropriates Cost Sharing Reduction Payments: Provides necessary funding for CSR payments beginning in 2027, lowering premiums, and stabilizing the individual market while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Relief would be better directed towards low-income enrollees that need them.

Improves Health Care Options for America’s Workers

• Association Health Plans: Expands access to Association Health Plans by allowing employers—including self-employed workers—to band together across industries to purchase affordable, high-quality coverage.
• Access to Stop-Loss Insurance: Ensures small and mid-sized employers can protect themselves from catastrophic claims by clarifying that stop-loss insurance is not “health insurance coverage.” This would allow small businesses to offer their employees more tailored, affordable care.
• CHOICE Arrangements: Codifies and strengthens 2019 rules allowing employers to offer defined contributions for employees to purchase their own coverage—renamed as CHOICE arrangements—and permits employees to pay premiums pre-tax.

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, McGarvey Introduce Legislation to Improve Black Lung Benefits Program

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), reintroduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, legislation that would help miners who have suffered from black lung disease access the workers’ compensation and benefits they are entitled to receive under the federal Black Lung Benefits Program. This legislation significantly reduces barriers, such as complex claims processes and lack of legal representation, that prevent miners and their survivors from accessing benefits.

“Decades ago, Congress established the Black Lung Benefits Act to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who develop black lung disease and are totally disabled. Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office found that miners often lack the necessary medical and legal resources to develop evidence to prove their claims,”said Ranking Scott. “The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act helps miners and their survivors access legal representation, ensures benefits are not eroded due to inflation, reduces the time for processing claims, and protects taxpayers from taking a hit when a self-insured coal company goes bankrupt and cannot pay black lung claims.”

“After paying for this country’s last energy revolution with their own health and safety, miners shouldn’t have to endure a costly, drawn-out legal process to prove they’ve earned their benefits,”said McGarvey.“Our bill would peg these benefits to inflation and make them easier to access, rather than letting these miners who have sacrificed so much be left further and further behind. I’m grateful for Senators Kaine and Fetterman and Ranking Member Scott’s continued dedication to strengthen black lung benefits, get miners the care they need, and uphold the dignity of financial security that they deserve.”

Many miners have developed coal workers’ pneumoconiosis—commonly referred to as “black lung”—a debilitating and deadly disease caused by the long-term inhalation of coal dust in underground and surface coal mines. In response, Congress passed the Black Lung Benefits Act in 1976 to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who develop black lung disease and are disabled. The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Actmakes necessary updates to ensure Congress is fulfilling its commitment to the nation’s coal miners by:

1. Automatically adjusting coal miners’ benefits for inflation,
2. Helping miners and their survivors secure legal representation by increasing the number of attorneys willing to take on black lung claims,
3. Expanding the assistance provided by black lung clinics,
4. Ensuring miners get assistance from the Department of Labor (DOL) in rebutting medical evidence,
5. Improving access to CT scans to clarify medical eligibility,
6. Requiring the DOL to address potential conflicts of interest with physicians providing medical exams,
7. Accelerating the DOL’s access to employment and earnings verification for miners from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
8. Establishing stringent criteria for mine operators that seek to self-insure,
9. Increasing civil penalties for mine operators that fail to secure benefits, and
10. Expanding the parties that the DOL can hold liable when an operator fails to secure benefits.

The legislation has been endorsed by Appalachia Voices, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, the BlueGreen Alliance, the Sierra Club, and the United Mine Workers of America.

To read the bill text for the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, clickhere.

To read the fact sheet on the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, clickhere.

To read the section-by-section on the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, clickhere.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Warner, Scott Honor Civil Rights Leader Barbara Johns at U.S. Capitol Statue Dedication

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) delivered remarks at the Congressional Statue Dedication Ceremony honoring Barbara Rose Johns, a Prince Edward County civil rights leader whose student-led strike and its subsequent lawsuit became one of five cases combined into Brown v. Board of Education, one of the most consequential Supreme Court decisions in our nation’s history. Her statue will represent Virginia in National Statuary Hall.

“On April 23, 1951, a 16-year-old Barbara Johns led a walkout of students at the Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, to protest school segregation and the discriminatory education conditions of Black students. Her courage forced this country to reckon with its conscience on a scale much larger than she ever could have imagined,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to unveil Barbara Johns’ statue in the U.S. Capitol where she will represent the Commonwealth of Virginia and be recognized for the vital role she played in ending school segregation.” 

“At the age of 16, Barbara Johns’ refused to accept inequality in our public schools.  Her determination led to the lawsuit Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, which ultimately became part of the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Her strength and unwavering belief in equality and justice helped change the entire nation for the better.  It is hard to think of a better example of a Virginian to represent the Commonwealth in the United States Capitol,” said Rep. Bobby Scott.

Under federal law, each state is represented by two statues in National Statuary Hall, selected by the state to honor notable individuals from its history. The Johns statue was recommended by Virginia’s Commission for Historical Statues to replace Virginia’s statue of Robert E. Lee in the U.S. Capitol.

Sen. Warner and Rep. Scott are both cosponsors of the Confederate Monument Removal Act, legislation to remove statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America from display in National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Sen. Warner has spoken publicly about the need to remove public symbols honoring the Confederacy as part of broader efforts to advance racial justice.

As Governor, Sen. Warner helped establish a commission to build a monument on Capitol Square honoring Johns, after his youngest daughter asked why the grounds did not include more diverse representation of famous Virginians. In the Senate, Sen. Warner has led efforts to expand the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Site in Kansas and designate National Park Service (NPS) Affiliated areas, including the Moton Museum which recognizes the central role of the Moton School in Farmville in ending school segregation.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Slams Trump Administration’s Absurd Rationale for Boat Strikes, Votes to Stop Military Action in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting for the adoption of H.Con.Res. 61, directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere; and H.Con.Res. 64, directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress:

“I voted to stop the Trump Administration from continuing its dubiously legal military actions towards Venezuela. These deadly boat strikes began under the guise of stopping illicit drugs from entering the United States. Multiple cabinet officials have claimed that President Trump’s actions have saved hundreds of millions of American lives. These numbers are comically absurd. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 81,000 individuals died in the United States last year from any drug overdose. 

“In addition to the simple-minded exaggerations about numbers, we must also examine if this is even an effective means of curtailing drug use. Any suggestion that these military actions attacking boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are reducing drug use in the United States is itself an exaggeration. The Congressional Budget Office cannot confirm that this policy is reducing drug use or drug overdoses.

“The research is clear. Evidence-based approaches, like education and rehabilitation treatment, are the most cost-effective strategies in reducing illicit drug use as opposed to spending millions of taxpayer dollars on blowing up random fishing boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. Yet the Trump Administration is aggressively dismantling the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the very federal agency that focuses on mental health and drug addiction treatment. The fact that this strategy lacks any cost-effective justification should end this action. And that is before any consideration of war crimes and murder. Several weeks ago, I sent letters to the Trump Administration asking for documentation and clarity about this interdiction strategy. Not surprisingly, I received no response.

 “And earlier today, Stephen Miller, one of President Trump’s senior advisors, has taken the mask off and revealed that these boat strikes were not really about stopping drugs from entering the United States. Instead, he has clarified their main motivation in the strikes and ramping up of military hostilities is the oil that moves through Venezuela.” 

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, Wittman, Kiggans, Elfreth Reintroduce Bill Reauthorizing NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), and Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) reintroduced the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act, previously known as the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act. This legislation reauthorizes key programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office (CBO). Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

NOAA’s CBO provides a variety of services that advance the restoration of the Bay and support local businesses, schools, and coastal resilience. CBO manages the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System which collects water quality, meteorological, and oceanographic data used by scientists, fisherman and those recreating on the Bay. CBO also oversees the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program, a competitive grant program for environmental education projects that connect students throughout the watershed with the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act authorizes the Chesapeake Bay B-WET program for the first time in the program’s history.

“NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office serves a critical role in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Congressman Scott. “The Office conducts scientific research that assists us in making evidence-based decisions as we restore much-needed oyster reefs and wetlands. This bill includes many of the Office’s activities including the Chesapeake B-WET program, which has connected countless students with the Bay to further their environmental education. As a co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, I am proud to reintroduce the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act with my colleagues to ensure that NOAA can continue being an effective partner in the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay. 

“The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act is critical to protecting the Chesapeake Bay and ensuring it remains an important part of our environment and economy for generations to come,” said Congressman Wittman. “By allowing NOAA to coordinate with community stakeholders, monitor restoration activities, and authorizing the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training program, the WATERS Act will help protect the Chesapeake Bay’s health for generations to come. As a lifelong outdoorsman and co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to protect the Chesapeake Bay.”

“The Chesapeake WATERS Act is critical to protecting the Chesapeake Bay and the communities, jobs, and ecosystems that rely on it,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “By reauthorizing NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office, supporting science-based restoration, and expanding education and workforce training throughout the watershed, this bill strengthens long term stewardship of the Bay. I am proud to work with Representatives Wittman, Bobby Scott, and Sarah Elfreth on this bipartisan effort to preserve the Chesapeake Bay for generations to come.”

“The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, right here in Maryland’s Third District, conducts critical work across the Watershed in advancing our shared goal of restoring the health and habitat of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “From water quality monitoring through the buoy system to convening an expert Task Force to tackle the issue of invasive blue catfish, I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act to reauthorize this critical office and continue the innovative work it conducts.”

“For decades, NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office has been a steadfast partner in the multi-jurisdiction effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its living resources,” said Anna Killius, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “Bay partners rely on NOAA science and support to help steward economically important fisheries, restore vital habitats, monitor and report conditions on the Bay, and educate students on the richness of the Bay and the challenges it faces. We appreciate the leadership of Senator Warner and Representatives Scott, Wittman, Elfreth, and Kiggans in championing bipartisan legislation to continue NOAA’s critical role in the future of Bay conservation.”

“The bipartisan Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act throws a welcome legislative lifeline to NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office that would sustain its vital role restoring the Bay and its waterways, fisheries, and wildlife habitat,” said Keisha Sedlacek, Senior Policy Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “NOAA’s oyster restoration expertise, climate change research, and outdoor education programs are essential to safeguarding this priceless resource and economic engine. NOAA science will be critical as we enter the next phase of Bay restoration under the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Thanks to Sen. Mark Warner and Reps. Bobby Scott, Sarah Elfreth, Rob Wittman, and Jen Kiggans, Congress now has the legislation to make sure this essential partner remains at the table.”

“We are thrilled to see the introduction of the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act,” said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. “NOAA is a crucial federal partner in the fight to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. This bipartisan legislation provides critical funding to support projects such as habitat work in the Chesapeake, including on fisheries management and oyster research and restoration, monitoring of restoration activities, and environmental education grants. We want to thank Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), all long-time champions for the Bay, for spearheading this legislation and we look forward to supporting its passage into law.”

Full text of the bill can be found by CLICKING HERE. 

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Passing of Rev. A Lincoln James, Jr

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of the Rev. Dr. A Lincoln James, Jr., Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia.

“Rev. James was a charismatic and influential preacher who had a remarkable career. He led Trinity Baptist Church for several decades and served as a mentor for clergy members throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.  He also improved the Richmond region through his leadership as President of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, his service on the Virginia Parole Board, his work as a seminar professor and his vision as the driving force in the creation of the Trinity Family Life Center, which provides essential services to thousands of young people every year. I am thankful to have benefited from his counsel and friendship throughout my career, and I sincerely offer my heartfelt condolences to Rev. James’ family, loved ones, congregation and people who were impacted by his ministry and body of work.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins expressing serious concern over reports that the VA plans to eliminate as many as 35,000 health care positions across the Veterans Health Administration, including clinical and support roles. In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi warns that eliminating currently vacant positions risks worsening wait times, disrupting continuity of care, and limiting access to critical services for veterans nationwide — particularly in systems that are already under strain.

“Veterans across the country rely on the VA for timely, high-quality medical care, mental health services, and benefits processing,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote. “In Illinois alone, hundreds of thousands of veterans depend on VA health care and services, including veterans affected by toxic exposures recognized under the PACT Act.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi highlights the potential impact on Illinois veterans, noting that hundreds of vacancies at major VA facilities in the Chicago area — including the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and the Lovell Federal Health Care Center — are reportedly slated for elimination.

“The fact that a position is vacant does not mean it is unnecessary. In many VA facilities, vacancies reflect persistent hiring challenges in a tight health-care labor market — not a lack of need. From the perspective of veterans awaiting appointments, delayed procedures, or mental health services, an unfilled position often represents care that has not yet arrived, not care that is no longer required.”

The letter also cites warnings from health care staff already working in VA facilities, including reports that existing vacancies have pushed staff to a breaking point and made staffing shortages the new norm. Absent a clear, facility-by-facility explanation of how eliminating these positions would improve care delivery, Congressman Krishnamoorthi expresses concern that the decision could lock in staffing shortages, limit future capacity, and prolong wait times — particularly as more veterans seek care under expanded eligibility through the PACT Act.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi requests detailed responses from the Department by January 3, 2026, including how VA is assessing the impact of these job eliminations on veterans’ wait times, how it plans to ensure sufficient staffing capacity if veteran enrollment increases, and whether preserving and filling high-need clinical and mental health roles could improve care delivery. Emphasizing the stakes of these decisions, he concludes: “Veterans kept their promise to our country. We must keep ours to them. Decisions that affect staffing levels at the VA should be guided first and foremost by their impact on veterans’ health, safety, and dignity.”

The letter is available here.