WASHINGTON – In a standing-room-only chamber at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Commander Carol Whitmore delivered forceful testimony Tuesday before a special joint hearing of the United States Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
The chamber was filled wall-to-wall with VFW and VFW Auxiliary members proudly wearing their caps, a visible show of unity behind their commander-in-chief, the first woman veteran to lead the VFW in its 126-year history. An overflow room for watching the hearing was also filled to capacity with VFW and Auxiliary members who traveled from across the country and around the world from all 52 departments of the organization.
VFW national staff and members who joined Whitmore on the dais were Assistant Adjutant General and Washington Office Executive Director Ryan Gallucci, National Legislative Service Director Kristina Keenan, National Veterans Service Director Michael Figlioli, and National Legislative Committee Chairman Jason Johns.
During the opening remarks, Ranking Member Blumenthal announced that he was going to the Senate floor at 12 p.m. EST to ask for unanimous consent for passage or a vote on S. 1032, the Major Richard Star Act, which was met with rousing applause.
Fellow Iowan, VFW member, and close personal friend, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst introduced Whitmore to the members of the joint committee in attendance.
Before addressing policy, Whitmore paused to recognize service members currently deployed.
“Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge Operation Epic Fury also and give our thoughts and prayers to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Whitmore said. “And those who are in harm’s way, like the VFW Claims Representative Rosa Valdez currently serving in Kuwait.”
She thanked Chairmen Jerry Moran and Mike Bost, Ranking Members Richard Blumenthal and Mark Takano, and members of both committees for the opportunity to testify on behalf of nearly 1.3 million VFW and Auxiliary members.
Whitmore’s message to Congress was clear and unwavering: Honor the Contract. She framed her testimony around a single principle.
“When Americans raise their right hand and volunteer to serve, this nation makes a solemn promise: if they are wounded, become ill or die in service, America will care for them and their families,” Whitmore said. “That promise is not charity. It is the binding contract between service members and the country they defend.”
As applause filled the chamber, she addressed concerns about cost directly.
“When some suggest that veterans’ benefits are too expensive, let us be clear … this is the cost of war,” Whitmore said.
A former Army nurse, Whitmore emphasized her personal connection.
“Caring for service members and veterans is not an abstract policy issue for me … it is personal,” Whitmore said.
Whitmore praised the passage of the PACT Act but warned that implementation must match intent.
“Passage alone does not fulfill the promise,” Whitmore said.
She urged Congress to ensure the VA aggressively applies its authorities to address unrecognized toxic exposures, including Vietnam-era burn pits, K2 veterans, submariners and others exposed in hazardous conditions.
With PACT Act claims surging, Whitmore stressed that VA direct care and community care must function as one system.
“Veterans experience health care in moments of need,” Whitmore said. “In those moments, what matters most is reliable, timely, high-quality care delivered with dignity and respect.”
She called for clear benchmarks on wait times and travel standards and urged passage of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025.
“Veterans should never have to fight their way through red tape just to receive the care they earned,” Whitmore said.
Whitmore highlighted systemic shortcomings in the Foreign Medical Program, sharing the story of retired Army veteran Blane Gish in Berlin, who paid more than 5,000 euros up front for hearing aids and waited six months for reimbursement, only to receive a check that failed to account for exchange rates.
“Veterans overseas deserve equal treatment,” Whitmore said.
She also called for the modernization of CHAMP-VA, citing slow claims processing and limited access that strain military families.
In one of the most powerful moments of the hearing, Whitmore asked veterans and families affected by suicide to stand. Dozens rose throughout the chamber.
“Members of the committee … this is the scope of the challenge before us,” Whitmore said.
She called for written, informed consent for VA-prescribed psychiatric medications and urged passage of the Veteran Suicide Prevention Act.
“We cannot improve what we do not examine,” Whitmore said.
Whitmore emphasized the need for cutting-edge treatment for traumatic brain injury and PTSD, sharing the story of Afghanistan veteran Joshua Starks, who found healing outside the VA only after a devastating personal loss.
“Veterans should not have to leave the VA to find healing,” Whitmore said.
She urged Congress to pass the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act to ensure that treatment is driven by science and urgency.
With nearly 200,000 service members leaving active duty annually, Whitmore raised concerns about inadequate Transition Assistance Program implementation – particularly for troops separating overseas.
“When service members separate without proper guidance, they risk delays in receiving the benefits they earned,” Whitmore said.
She called for the passage of the TAP Promotion Act to ensure seamless continuity of care and compensation.
Though outside the committees’ primary jurisdiction, Whitmore urged full funding for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
“Service members are taught to leave no one behind. That commitment never ends,” Whitmore said.
She condemned proposed cuts despite record Pentagon budgets.
“Fully fund DPAA so that our missing can receive their final salute on American soil,” Whitmore said.
Whitmore closed with a passionate call to end the unjust offset affecting more than 50,000 medically retired combat veterans.
“This is not double-dipping. This is double sacrifice,” Whitmore said. “Pass the Major Richard Star Act now!”
The chamber erupted into sustained applause and a standing ovation from members in their VFW caps.
Whitmore concluded by reminding lawmakers that the All-Volunteer Force depends on trust.
“Veterans have fulfilled their obligation. Now the country must Honor the Contract,” Whitmore said. “Not partially, not eventually, not someday, but today, fully and faithfully.”
She thanked the committee leadership and expressed readiness to answer questions, leaving behind a clear message echoed by the hundreds in attendance: Honor the Contract.
Video of today’s testimony is available to watch and share here.
Read Commander Whitmore’s full testimony here.
The presentation of S. 1032, the Major Richard Star Act, to the Senate for unanimous consent can be viewed live on C-SPAN and at senate.gov.