Mike Bost
Representative for Illinois · Republican · United States
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
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“The President and my colleagues on the Republican side in Congress have no problem sending our men and women off to war, but the real measure of a nation is not just how it treats their servicemembers when they are on Active Duty. It is how it treats them when they are no longer dodging the bombs, the bullets, and the storms at sea and when they are no longer serving in war. As a Congress, we have to do right by our veterans, and this bill simply does not do it with $57 billion in cuts for disability benefits for veterans. It raises home loan refinancing fees $4 billion on veteran borrowers. Mr. Speaker, I am the son of two veterans, and we would have never purchased our first home when I was in high school were it not for a VA home assistance loan.”
“Check out any online veteran forum, and you will find thousands of comments from both veterans and Active-Duty servicemembers decrying these proposed cuts. Veterans of all eras agree that their receipt of benefits should not be predicated on cuts to benefits for another generation of veterans. It is our job to listen to them. There are other ways to fund this bill's provisions. We just need to have the political courage to stand up and do what is right for our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Menefee), my good friend who serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Mr. MENEFEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose H.R. 9237, which, if we are being clear, cuts veterans' benefits.”
“Under this bill, they will qualify once they return home from their training and are in good standing with their unit. Mr. Speaker, I worked hard on these bills for nearly 2 years, and they and more than 50 other bipartisan bills just like them are all major wins that will improve the lives of our Nation's heroes. I thank Chairman Bost for his work on this legislation, and I look forward to the passage of this bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, there is overwhelming opposition to cutting veterans' disability benefits to offset the cost of this bill. Major VSOs, like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, along with numerous others, all oppose this bill due to the offset. More importantly, veterans themselves are overwhelmingly opposed, as well.”
“My Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act and my Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act, which will ensure that every veteran can understand the messages and communications they receive from the VA in a simplified manner and even opt in to get them electronically. My Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act, which will make it easier for veterans to schedule medical appointments closer to home and easier to access. The Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act to strengthen oversight of VA acquisitions with the ginormous contracts that they often enter into. And, finally, my Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act to empower more of our National Guard and reservists to take advantage of the VA Home Loan Program. Today, they would wait 6 years to qualify for the VA Home Loan Program.”
“It also delivers numerous bills that veterans and VSOs across America have been vocal about, like the Major Richard Star Act, the Love Lives On Act, the ACCESS Act, the TAP Promotion and Expansion Act, and more. It also includes eight of my own specific bill priorities, including: The ASSIST Act and CRUISE Act, which will help disabled veterans and businesses make necessary and timely modifications to vehicles, ensuring that veterans have accessibility to move about. The Sharri Briley & Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act will finally deliver the first notable increase in over 30 years to our most severely disabled veterans and our Gold Star families who have sacrificed so much.”
“Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman from Pennsylvania. Mr. DELUZIO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment into the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Pennsylvania? There was no objection. Mr. DELUZIO. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barrett), my good friend from the Seventh District. Mr. BARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. This package includes more than 60 bipartisan bills that modernize, enhance, and reform the delivery of healthcare and benefits for the entire veteran community.”
“[[Page H4611]] That is ridiculous. It is why groups like the VFW, the IAVA, and others oppose this bill. It is why I think Democrats and Republicans should oppose this bill on the floor today. For this reason and many others, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House Rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an amendment to this bill. The amendment would change the offsets used in the bill. Instead of reducing the VA home loan benefit and cutting disability benefits for sleep apnea and tinnitus, it takes unobligated, appropriated but not committed, funding given to the DOD in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and uses it as a pay-for. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired. Mr. TAKANO. Mr.”
“The same people who have funded an Iran war at the tune of billions and billions of dollars, the same people who added nearly $5 trillion to the debt through their One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which, by the way, has a new name now, I guess. We have lost track of that. That new bill, by the way, would also add $19 trillion over 30 years. Mr. Speaker, there is no problem on the Republican side with adding to the debt when it comes time to give tax breaks and tax giveaways to the ultrarich and to corporations, but when it comes time to care of veterans, now they are counting pennies. Let's be crystal clear about what this bill does. It says to troops downrange right now who are in harm's way that they have to have worse benefits than veterans have today to pay for benefits and care that other veterans have earned.”
“This bill raises the cost of the VA Home Loan Program during a housing crisis, and this program and this bill cuts VA benefits for current veterans who don't have them and for troops downrange right now for two of the most common conditions they may experience: sleep apnea and tinnitus. This bill sells off more VA and veterans' care to the private sector. It continues the privatization push of the Trump administration and so many congressional Republicans. I am not going to take a lecture on fiscal responsibility or accept this argument from the Republicans and the Trump administration that you have to fund veterans' programs by cutting care or benefits for other veterans.”
“He is making a claim, but, again, I will contend that they are counting on a golden egg in disability cuts, savings on the backs of veterans, that has not been laid yet and that I contend will not be. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Deluzio), a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a former member of this committee and who now serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation Committee. Mr. DELUZIO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. I rise in opposition to any effort to cut veterans' benefits. Let's be clear.”
“{time} 0950 You are telling me that this very same Secretary is telling you that he is moving forward with a $57 billion cut to disability ratings? Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman for the purposes of a colloquy. Mr. BOST. That is exactly the position of the VA and their administration. That was said this morning. It was sent out this morning. It is now being reported in the news. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I reclaim my time. Mr. BOST. You can reclaim your time, but you asked the question. Mr. TAKANO. The time is mine. I am reclaiming my time. Mr. Speaker, there has been no public statement by the Secretary. There has been no named official from VA today. I defy the chairman to produce such a name.”
“Bost) for the purpose of a colloquy to tell me the name of the person at VA who has confirmed that the VA is moving forward with these changes to disability ratings. Mr. BOST. We have heard from the opening statement that came out of the VA, from the leadership at VA-- Mr. TAKANO. The Secretary? Mr. BOST.--and that was sent out this morning under the approval of the Secretary. Mr. TAKANO. So the gentleman is saying that a Secretary who backed away from changes to disability ratings in terms of medication--the intent was to say that if veterans take medication or get some sort of treatment, that if their conditions improve, that their disability ratings could then be lowered. He backed away from that after immense protest and opposition from veterans and veterans organizations.”
“We will be watching your vote on this carefully. We urge you to change your position on this. Do not strip benefits from future and current veterans. Respectfully, Bill Enyart, Post Commander; Rodney Buhr, Senior Vice- commander; Marvin Hammel, Junior Vice-commander; April Tarbill, Finance Pio Officer. We sent similar letters to Congresswoman Budzinski, and Senators Durbin and Duckworth. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, the chairman has made the claim that VA is going to move forward with taking away sleep apnea and tinnitus as conditions that veterans may claim disability ratings for. I would like to ask the chairman who at VA has made that commitment. He has tweeted out this morning that this is the case. Mr. Speaker, I yield 15 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.”
“Blue Earth Post 89 is in disagreement with Department and National on this issue. We fully support the original MAJ Richard Star act, but can not abide by taking from one group of veterans to pay another. Paul J. Kafka, Past Commander, American Legion Post 89. ____ Bill Enyart. Here is the email American Legion Post 58, Belleville, IL, sent Mike Bost tonight: Re TCAVA HR 9237 Section 108 Congressman Bost: American Legion Post 58 voted unanimously at tonight's meeting to indicate our disagreement with TCAVA Section 108 in its entirety. And further to voice our disagreement with the position taken by the American Legion National Commander in support of this legislation as currently written. He does not speak for us. Located in Belleville, about half of our members reside in your district, most of the balance in Congresswoman Budzinski's.”
“____ American Legion Trujillo-Sheets Post 28 Durango, CO's Post Last night all members at the post meeting voted unanimously that the post is NOT SUPPORTING the TCAVA. At the 2022 American Legion convention resolution 33 was approved which clearly describes the feeling of the membership of the legion. This is the guidance that the leadership should be using to determine our support for bills that affect our VA benefits. You can read it here from the National Archives. https://archive.legion.org/node/8419 ____ From: Paul Kafka Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 11:30:06 AM To: Shane Junkert Subject: TCAVA opposition Tonight 07/13/2026 at the Blue Earth Post 89 American Legion Department of Minnesota meeting, a motion was made to disapprove of National's position on the TCAVA. After discussion, a vote was held, and it was unanimous.”
“____ The American Legion DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS Resolution No: 8-26 Title: Equal Advocacy for all Veterans and Equitable Funding of earned Veterans' Benefits Origin: American Legion Post 300 Assigned To: Legislative Convention Committee Whereas, William J Bordelon Post 300 believes that future changes to disability compensation policies governing sleep apnea and tinnitus would result in similarly situated veterans receiving different compensation based solely upon when they entered military service or became eligible to file their claims; and Whereas, William J Bordelon Post 300 further believes that every veteran who honorably serves the United States deserves equal advocacy from The American Legion regardless of generation, era of service, or date of military service, and that Congress should fully fund veterans' benefits without relying upon offsets affecting future veterans; now, therefore, be it Resolved, By the American Legion Department of Texas in Annual Convention assembled in Austin, Texas, July 10-12, 2026; That The American Legion reaffirms its unwavering support for passage of the Major Richard Star Act and restoration of full concurrent receipt for eligible combat- disabled military retirees; and, be it further Resolved, That The American Legion, Department of Texas respectfully petition the National Convention of The American Legion to establish as national policy that The American Legion continue supporting legislation benefiting veterans while opposing any legislative funding mechanism that finances earned veterans' benefits through future reductions, limitations, or policy changes affecting Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation; and, be it further Resolved, That The American Legion reaffirm its commitment that benefits earned through honorable military service are obligations of the Nation and should be fully funded by Congress without creating disparities in compensation policy between current and future veterans; and, be it finally Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the National Convention of The American Legion for consideration and appropriate action.”
“Sincerely, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans, Marine Corps League, National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, National Veterans Legal Services Program, Reserve Organization of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 54kVeterans.”
“We continue to support enactment of a clean and complete Major Richard Star Act that delivers full concurrent receipt to combat-injured retirees without reducing earned benefits for future veterans. Congress can and should address these priorities without reducing compensation for future disabled veterans, bypassing the regulatory process, or undermining confidence in the disability compensation system. We respectfully urge Congress to find a different path forward for these important benefit increases, including a clean and complete Major Richard Star Act, that does not [[Page H4610]] force one generation of veterans to bear the cost for another.”
“However, VA never finalized those proposals, largely due to receiving more than 2,600 comments raising concerns about the medical justification for the changes and their impact on future veterans. In fact, VA spokesman Quinn Slaven recently stated, ``No changes are planned or imminent,'' and noted that the agency is still reviewing the proposed rule, which ``would need to undergo significant changes [emphasis added] prior to being finalized'' before any implementation could occur (Slaven, quoted in GovExec, June 16, 2026). We are also troubled that reductions to future VA disability compensation are being used to finance provisions such as the Major Richard Star Act, which addresses a military retirement inequity rooted in Department of Defense policy. Correcting a Title 10 obligation should not come at the expense of Title 38 benefits.”
“4744) that would significantly reduce future benefits for more than a million disabled veterans. The Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities is intended to reflect medical evidence, functional impairment, and scientific expertise, not serve as a budgetary offset. If Congress establishes the precedent that disability ratings may be rewritten through statute to generate ``savings'', future Congresses will have a ready-made roadmap for reducing earned benefits whenever fiscal pressures arise. Disability compensation is not a government program to be trimmed when convenient. It is earned compensation for injuries and illnesses incurred in service to our nation. Some supporters argue that Congress is simply implementing changes previously proposed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“Jerry Moran, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Mark Takano, Ranking Member, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairmen Moran and Bost, and Ranking Members Blumenthal and Takano: As organizations representing millions of veterans, service members, survivors, caregivers, and military families of all generations, we have long worked with Congress to protect and strengthen the benefits and services earned through military service. For that reason, we do not support the funding mechanism within the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (H.R. 9237/S.”
“Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida. Mr. BILIRAKIS. Most importantly, this bill honors the legacy of Major Richard Star, who fought tirelessly to correct this injustice before his passing. His determination has brought us to this moment, and today, we have the opportunity to continue that fight on behalf of thousands of deserving veterans. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a coalition letter from 10 veterans service organizations; a resolution from The American Legion Department of Texas; a statement from The American Legion, Trujillo-Sheets Post 28, in Durango, Colorado; and emails from Minnesota Blue Earth Post 89 of The American Legion and American Legion Post 58 in Belleville, Illinois, all in opposition to this bill. June 24, 2026. Hon.”
“These men and women sacrificed their health in defense of our Nation. They earned both benefits, and they deserve to receive both. This legislation also strengthens veterans' access to healthcare by expanding choice, improves the VA claims and appeals process, and increases support for catastrophically disabled veterans, caregivers, and surviving spouses. Republicans have been working on these issues for many years, Mr. Speaker, and it looks like it is going to come to fruition. I appreciate it so very much, and I thank the chairman for his leadership. It enhances mental health services, expands care in rural communities, improves transition assistance for servicemembers entering civilian life, and modernizes VA facilities to better serve future generations. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired. Mr. BOST. Mr.”
“First and foremost, this legislation delivers long-overdue justice by including key provisions of my Major Richard Star Act. I promised Richard Star that we would get this done, and we are in the process of doing it, again, on behalf of our true American heroes, which I remain committed to achieving full concurrent receipt. Anything that is not included in this bill, we are going to pursue for the benefit of our veterans. This package takes a major step forward by providing immediate relief to nearly 60,000 combat-injured veterans, Mr. Speaker. For far too long, medically retired servicemembers wounded in combat have been forced to forfeit a portion of the retirement pay they earned simply because they also receive VA disability compensation, and that is wrong. That is the so-called wounded veteran tax, and it is fundamentally unjust.”
“VA has made no move to withdraw the sleep apnea and/or those from the changes that will then save the money that then the bureaucrats will control. So as we are moving forward--I mean, the ranking member can keep saying things that aren't true, or he can admit this is an issue, and that is where we are coming up with the revenue. That being said, let me tell you the next person I want to yield time to has worked on the Major Richard Star Act for years, as did his father before him. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the Representative from Florida's 12th District. Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership and thank him for this great package that will support our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act.”
“For VA medical centers to meet the needs of young families, caregivers, and our hardworking VA employees, they need to be equipped with proper facilities. In the VA medical centers that lack a dedicated lactation space, moms are forced to use unsanitary places like bathrooms or struggle to find a private corner. That is unacceptable. Our veterans deserve better. That is why we must pass the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act now. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I don't think that the ranking member is caught up on current events. Just recently, just to confirm what we already knew, the VA officials confirmed that they are moving ahead with the changes on tinnitus, sleep apnea, and disability benefits.”
“Serving veterans is one of the greatest privileges we have as Members of Congress, and we must do everything that we can to ensure not only that they receive the benefits that they have earned through their service and sacrifice, but also that they can access those benefits with the dignity that they deserve. That is why I am so proud to lead the bipartisan Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act with Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. As a nurse, I have seen firsthand the benefits of breastfeeding for moms and babies. My bill will ensure that every VA medical center contains a clean, private space specifically designed for nursing and pumping. Our veterans and their families have given so much in service to our country, and they deserve the same level of support and respect when they seek care.”
“Any savings resulting from that process should be reinvested in improving disability evaluations, rehabilitation services, and veterans' healthcare--not used to finance unrelated provisions of the legislation.'' If my colleagues are suddenly interested in following that science, they should let the experts continue their work independently without the political pressure that passage of this bill will inevitably create. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood), my good friend. She is a former member of this committee who currently serves on the House Committee on Appropriations. Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act.”
“If this bill is passed, the expertise of VA and the years of work that go into clinical determinations become moot. If you don't believe me, just listen to what one of VA's top doctors, former VA Secretary and Under Secretary for Health David Shulkin, stated regarding this bill's proposed changes to disability ratings: ``Any modernization of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities should be instead conducted through an independent, evidence-based medical review led by the Department of Veterans Affairs, with opportunities for public comment and [[Page H4609]] congressional oversight.”
“They even showed up at the majority's press conference to cheer on their efforts just a few short days ago, and now they finally have a majority who is willing to bow to their demands to harm veterans. {time} 0940 My majority counterparts have picked an interesting time to care about science again. Their remarks today attempt to demonstrate that they are working to align themselves with the best science to update and modernize the disability ratings schedule. Yet, my majority colleagues fail to see the irony in legislating away veteran benefits before VA completes a thorough review of the best science. They are substituting their own judgment for that of VA clinicians and researchers who actually understand the medical evidence related to these disabilities.”
“There is nothing inevitable about these rule changes, which are going to bring about the golden egg of savings, the $57 billion that the chairman is counting on in order to pay for this bill. The savings will come from cuts to veterans disability benefits. Their tweet that he is referring to this morning quoting an unnamed source is not the same as rulemaking. This is simply the majority trying to find any excuse possible to cut benefits they view as overly generous, which has long been their goal. That is why Americans for Prosperity has endorsed this bill. The architects of Project 2025 have been desperate to cut benefits for years, and they have been trying to find a way to touch veterans benefits. I am not going to let them do that.”
“The first Trump administration floated changes to conditions like sleep apnea and tinnitus beginning in 2019. Then 4 years ago, when VA sought public comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking, the 2022 changes during the Biden administration, VSOs and many Members of this body spoke loudly and clearly and unanimously in opposition to them, and what he doesn't mention is that the Biden administration walked away from those proposed rule changes. The VA listened to those voices in 2022, and as a result, the proposed rule has been on a shelf since then. Just a few short weeks ago, VA clarified that it is not planning to take any action on this proposed rule. That was from a VA spokesperson in public.”
“This bill upholds the promise we made to our Nation's veterans that upon completion of their service, we would take care of them and their families. It is our duty as temporary caretakers of our Republic to fight for those who keep us safe, and veterans are at the top of that list. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of southern Ohio, I thank all our veterans and their families for the countless sacrifices they have made to keep our Nation safe. This vote is for them. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the chairman has said several times that the disability changes this bill makes are coming anyway. That is simply not true. He is counting on a golden egg that the VA has simply not laid yet.”
“As we continue to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, it is important that we realize that freedom is not free, and we wouldn't have this amazing country without the sacrifices of countless servicemembers and their families. Now is the time to reaffirm Congress' support of our veteran community and put veterans first by passing this legislation. I am particularly proud that this legislation includes the expansion of GI Bill benefits, increases benefits for severely disabled veterans and their families, and ends the wounded veterans tax, thanks to the inclusion of the Major Richard Star Act. These reforms are long overdue, and I applaud Chairman Bost and the work of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their role in crafting this legislation.”
“Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Taylor), a good friend. Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. America's veterans represent the best our country has to offer, and it is time for Congress to deliver meaningful reforms to our veterans' benefit programs that improve the quality of life for America's warfighters. That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, which will modernize and enhance the delivery of VA benefits for veterans across our country.”
“The testimony represents the official position of the Department at the time it was delivered to Congress. The question before us is not whether Congress created these proposed changes. We did not. VA's announcement makes their intention clear. This is moving forward regardless, but Ranking Member Takano would rather play politics. The question is whether the savings associated with the proposed deployment and changes by the VA should remain in their control and the bureaucrats' control, or do we make it through our Article I power to reinvest into our veterans and their families. H.R. 9237 chooses veterans. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to look at the testimony of Josh Jacobs, Biden Under Secretary for Benefits, and Nina Tann, President Trump's Executive Director of the Compensation Service at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr.”
“Likewise, he has been blessed by his community to be here, but what I do want to say is, for the record, the proposed changes for sleep apnea and tinnitus aren't developed by Congress. They were developed by VA physicians. They are doctors--medical experts, doctors--and researchers under the Biden administration as part of the ongoing disability rating modernization efforts. In testimony before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in January 2026, VA officials stated that the Department intended to continue moving forward with respiratory ear-body system, rulemaking, and anticipated completing those efforts by the end of year 2026. That testimony was not given by career staff acting alone. In fact, just this morning, VA officials confirmed that they are planning to move forward with the proposed rule on sleep apnea and tinnitus.”
“How could Republicans propose this.'' I couldn't have said it any better, and there are thousands more comments just like this as you can see here. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the Chair. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the ranking member knows VA has an obligation to update disability conditions based on the latest science and medicine. In his opening, he said that I am not a doctor. He is right. I am a marine. I am a truck driver, and somehow I have been blessed to serve our veterans as the chairman of the committee. He is not a doctor either.”
“Why are Republicans holding veterans' priorities hostage, including the overwhelming top priority of veterans, the Major Richard Star Act, in exchange [[Page H4608]] for multibillion-dollar cuts to veterans' benefits? That is a mystery to me, and it is a question that Chairman Bost and Republicans will struggle to answer, as well. I will point to this chart here. Mr. Speaker, let me finish with a quote from just one veteran in opposition to this legislation: ``I am a disabled Michigan veteran and lifelong conservative. Please pass the Major Richard Star Act as a stand-alone bill. We do not support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, H.R. 9237, and we will never elect Representatives who want to cut veterans' benefits.”
“What is in short supply, at least on the other side of the aisle, is the political will to use some of it on behalf of America's veterans. There is $1.5 trillion for the Department of Defense, $70 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, and hundreds of millions of dollars for permanent tax cuts for the wealthy, none of it offset, and all of which the chairman voted for enthusiastically. Just 10 days of President Trump's folly in Iran would pay for 10 years of benefits under the Major Richard Star Act. Let me say that again. Just 10 days of President Trump's folly in Iran would pay for 10 years of benefits under the Major Richard Star Act. The question we have before us today is this: Why do you insist on offsets now? Why only now when we are trying to do work on behalf of our Nation's veterans do you care about the deficit?”
“There are parts of this bill with broad bipartisan support: long overdue increases to dependency and indemnity compensation and a special monthly compensation, for example. We do not exist in isolation here, and we must take the bill as the total sum of its parts, especially since the majority has blocked amendments to this bill, as they have done so often in this Congress. {time} 0930 Regrettably, we will also hear the chairman say that cutting veterans' benefits is the only way that we can get them done. This is patently false, and the chairman knows it. Everyone in this Chamber knows it, and everyone in America knows it, as well. There are any number of other places we can find money for these priorities. We don't lack money around here.”
“This bill also contains numerous sections opposed by key stakeholders, like Student Veterans of America, Veterans Education Success, and the American Federation of Teachers, that would direct GI Bill funding toward low-quality, for-profit, unaccredited online programs. This bill contains provisions that would allow GI benefits to be used for online welding courses. Can you believe it? Explain to me how you can teach someone online how to weld. Inexplicably, H.R. 9237 even includes a $500 million IT slush fund that VA will use to enrich contractors and reward the President's cronies. The list goes on and on. We are going to hear arguments from the majority today about all the good things this bill attempts to do. If we exist in a vacuum, I would say that I agree.”
“They all recognize the devastating effect this legislation will have on VA's workforce and their ability to deliver high-quality care. Even the Mortgage Bankers Association has expressed opposition to this bill. The majority has decided that, during a housing affordability crisis, it makes sense to raise costs on struggling veteran homeowners who are desperately trying to avoid foreclosure. This package contains multiple harmful provisions. It would accelerate the privatization of veteran healthcare--creating new grant programs for private providers that divert resources from VA mental health and PTSD programs--and steer veterans into more expensive community-based care, even where VA services remain available, and strip VA psychologists of their collective bargaining rights.”
“Over 30 Veteran Service Organizations and advocates oppose this legislation, including many of the largest, like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and numerous others. They know that reaching into the pockets of one set of veterans to provide for another is morally wrong. Creating tiers of veterans based on their period of service and treating tomorrow's veterans worse than today's is morally wrong. They will not stand for it, and neither should we. In addition to the numerous VSOs and over two dozen labor unions opposed to this bill, including the Union of Veterans Council, American Federation of Government Employees, and AFL-CIO, so do professional associations like the American Psychological Association and the Nurses Organization of VA.”
“Republicans are discussing nearly $70 billion in new Pentagon spending without offsets. They vote enthusiastically for $1.5 trillion in annual defense budgets. Yet, they insist on paying for veterans' priorities by cutting benefits with the two most common service-connected conditions. Apparently, there is no problem sending veterans the bill for the wars that Congress funds. This is a massive 600-page bill--crafted behind closed doors and brought to the floor without careful consideration--packed with harmful provisions designed to boost a few vulnerable Members' electoral prospects. Mr. Speaker, for those reasons and many, many more, I cannot in good conscience support this legislation. More important than my opposition is the opposition of the very people whom the majority claims to help, the veterans themselves.”
“Here is the core issue: The majority treats veterans as a zero-sum game: cut disability pay for some to find benefits for others. That is not governing. That is rationing suffering among our Nation's heroes. With this bill, the majority would, for the first time ever, have Congress interfere in the scientific process that the determines veterans' disability ratings, overriding the expertise of medical professionals at the Department of Veterans Affairs. I respect that Chairman Bost is a military veteran, but he is not a medical professional. The majority, for the first time ever, would have us cut tens of billions of dollars from veteran disability compensation to pay for the Department of Defense obligations. This is absolutely unconscionable. Consider the math.”
“Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 9237. It is a beautiful day here in Washington, D.C., but Republicans are casting a dark cloud over all of us and especially over America's veterans. We have before us today a bill that, despite its name, does the exact opposite of taking care of veterans. It enshrines into law the largest cut to veterans' benefits ever in the history of this Nation. The premise of this bill is that some veterans must be made worse off in order to make others better off. Mr. Speaker, I reject that premise, I reject this bill, and I encourage others to do the same.”
“I want to take a moment to share what we have heard directly from veterans. Mission Roll Call, a national nonpartisan organization dedicated to serving veterans and their families, recently conducted a survey on my bill. They found 71 percent of veterans support the bill. I think that is a clear choice. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation observes its 250th birthday, H.R. 9237 asks a simple question: Do we have veterans' backs? Do we have the backs of fellow Americans who raise their right hand to serve in defense of this great country, the Gold Star families who carry the cost of their loved one's sacrifice, or caregivers who every single day care for a disabled veteran family member? For me, the answer will always be ``yes,'' both during service and after. Mr.”
“Gold Star Spouses of America, K9s For Warriors, Korean War Veterans Association, Military Chaplains Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Mission Roll Call, National Defense Committee, National Military Family Association (NMFA), USCG Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA), Vietnam Veterans of America. Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, veterans groups from The American Legion to the Wounded Warrior Project support this bill. Survivor groups like the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors support this bill. Caregiver organizations, like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, support this bill. They all want this bill to pass. Chairman Moran and I have worked for months to try to enact a law that will help the greatest number of veterans. I believe we have offered that kind of package today.”
“This moment presents a clear test of whether Congress can translate long-standing bipartisan agreement into meaningful action. We support the Take Care of America's Veterans Act so the process can continue and so Congress can deliver lasting results for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. We urge swift action to advance this legislation and stand ready to work with lawmakers in both chambers to honor our commitments to all who have served. Sincerely, The American Legion, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Wounded [[Page H4607]] Warrior Project, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), American Veterans (AMVETS), Air Force Sergeants Association, American Optometric Association, Avalon Action Alliance, Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS (COA).”