VFW Action Corps Weekly

VFW Speaks at Roundtable with House Leaders: VFW National Legislative Director Kristina Keenan participated in a veterans organization roundtable hosted by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39). When asked what members of Congress could do to better understand the issues that veterans face, Keenan replied they should host town hall meetings during the August congressional recess to hear directly from veterans in their districts. Leader Jeffries committed to communicating to his caucus that every member should hold at least one veteran town hall this summer. Keenan also encouraged the House leaders to include Veterans Service Organizations in upcoming congressional hearings on VA's budget. The VFW, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) have analyzed the budget needs through our annual report, The Independent Budget, and would like to have an opportunity to comment in a public forum.

VFW Testimony on Subcommittee Pending Legislation: VFW National Legislative Associate Director Nancy Springer submitted a statement for the record for a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing on pending legislation. The hearing reviewed 12 bills addressing issues including burial and survivor benefits, an annual report on veterans’ causes of death, enhanced access to benefits for rural veterans, hiring preferences for Veterans Law Judges, and improvements to the VA claims and appeals processes. A key piece of legislation that includes provisions that the VFW has asked for and commented on in previous testimony is H.R. 3983, Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act of 2025. It would enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of the claims and appeals processes through data-driven training initiatives and strengthened quality assurance protocols. Read the testimony or watch the hearing, which begins at the 12:38 mark.

VFW and Gold Star Spouses Champion Survivor Benefits:VFW National Legislative Associate Director Nancy Springer joined Gold Star Spouses of America, Inc. members on Capitol Hill during their inaugural legislative fly-in to advocate for critical improvements to survivor benefits. During her meetings, Springer advocated for H.R. 2055/S. 611, Caring for Survivors Act of 2025, a top legislative priority for the VFW. This proposal would seek to increase the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rate from 43 to 55 percent of the compensation awarded to a veteran rated 100 percent disabled by VA, which would make it on par with other federal survivor benefits programs. Except for standard cost-of-living adjustments, the amount of DIC has not increased appreciably since the program’s 1993 inception.

Commission Seeking Input from Afghanistan War Veterans: The Afghanistan War Commission is a bipartisan entity established by Congress in 2021 with the mandate to examine the strategic, diplomatic, and operational decisions made during the war in Afghanistan. The commission is seeking input from veterans who served there between June 2001 and August 2021. The information and views you share will be considered in recommendations to Congress and policymakers for shaping future decisions regarding national security. Read more or submit your comments.

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced ten identifications and three burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Identifications:

-- World War II Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Clifford E. Keeney

-- World War II Army 2nd Lt. Charles S. Atteberry

-- World War II Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Raymond A. Kaudelky

-- Korean War Army Pfc. Elijah Trannon Jr.

-- Korean War Army Cpl. Oscar L. Sprague

-- Vietnam War Army Master Sgt. Donald P. Gervais

-- Vietnam War Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald K. Springsteadah

-- Vietnam War Air Force Tech. Sgt. Willis R. Hall

-- Vietnam War Air Force Staff Sgt. Henry G. Gish

-- Vietnam War Air Force Col. Walter A. Renelt

Updates:

-- World War II Army Air Forces 1st Lt. George F. Bradbury, Alabama

-- Korean War Air Force Capt. Howard E. O’Dell, Virginia

-- World War II Army Air Forces Sgt. Arthur B. Van Kleeck, New York

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