VFW Action Corps Weekly
VFW Fall Legislative Conference: The VFW National Legislative Committee will gather in Washington, D.C., Sept. 7-11, to meet with senators, representatives, and congressional staffers regarding key VFW legislative priorities. This year’s discussions will focus on passing concurrent receipt legislation, specifically S. 1032, Major Richard Star Act; advancing H.R. 1845, TAP Promotion Act, to strengthen service member transition; supporting alternative treatments for PTSD; and pushing for reforms to VA community care. Committee members will bring the voices and experiences of veterans from every corner of the country directly to the halls of Congress, ensuring lawmakers cannot ignore the needs of those who have served.
VFW Podcast Explores Veteran Issues: Co-hosts Rob Couture and Brittany Dymond Murray talk with subject matter experts, lawmakers, and prominent military and veteran community leaders about government and military affairs, VA, and the business of the VFW. With a new episode every other week, #StillServing: The VFW Podcast brings timely, relevant information and discussions to listeners around the world in a way that resonates with all veterans. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform to stay current on the issues that dominate the veteran space. To watch the latest episode, “An Unconventional Convention,” which highlights the historic moments of the 126th VFW National Convention, visit the VFW on YouTube.
Agent Orange Exposure and Heightened Lymphatic Cancer Risk: Researchers from VA West Los Angeles and University of California, Irvine, have reported that Agent Orange exposure increases the risk of lymphatic cancers by 60%, which is comparable with individuals who have a genetic predisposition. Of note, veterans with both factors did not show higher incidence rates than those with either factor alone. This conclusion is based on data derived from the records of 250,000 non-Hispanic White veterans in VA’s Million Veteran Program, making this analysis the largest study ever to examine this correlation. Read more.
VA Sign-In Option Change Deadline: Veterans who use a DS Logon username and password to access VA websites and mobile apps must switch to a login.gov or ID.me account by Sept. 30, 2025. These new sign-in options provide stronger protection against identity theft and fraud, allow access to VA and other government services with a single account, and meet the latest federal security standards. VA offers help with the transition as well as information on alternate ways to manage health care and benefits. Read more. Scams Remain a Serious Threat to Troops and Veterans: Scammers continue to target service members, veterans, and their families with increasingly sophisticated tactics including spoofed phone numbers, urgent requests for account details, and schemes tied to job offers, education, packages, romance, and even law enforcement impersonation. Military consumers lost an estimated $584 million to fraud in 2024, underscoring the need for vigilance. Experts urge individuals to slow down before responding to unexpected calls or messages, to verify suspicious requests directly with trusted institutions, and to talk openly with loved ones about scam risks to help protect the financial well-being of those who serve and have served. Read more about what to do if you think you have been scammed.