Mike Bost

It has discouraged veterans from going to seek the VA, and we are hoping we are getting that problem fixed now.

Your advocacy is democracy at work, and we are here today to continue taking our cues from you on the work ahead.

I am also proud to have led the effort to safeguard veterans' Second Amendment rights.

As Chairman, a top priority of mine is to hold VA accountable for you, the men and women who serve, no matter what.

We now are focused on getting the Major Richard Star Act across the finish line, to finally deliver combat-injured veterans their full DoD and VA benefits.

I thank Senators Moran and Tester for helping us get this provision across the finish line.

I am proud of all that we have accomplished together in the last few years, including the President signing the bipartisan PACT Act into law.

You have my commitment that we will continue to fight for you and the voices you represent.

Protecting U.S. farmland from being gobbled up by foreign adversaries is a matter of national security.

This is why Congress should not delay in passing H.R. 1083, the Caring for Our Survivors Act of 2023.

Congress should prioritize streamlining and improving the DIC and burial application process to reduce stress on survivors.

Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and distinguished members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs...

The VFW has long advocated for an increase in benefits and services for family members who sacrificed alongside of their loved ones...

Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, and members of the committee, on behalf of the men and women of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)...

I am taking personal responsibility to make sure that we get this going. Okay? If you have any issues at all, I want you to reach out directly to my office because these benefits are earned, and they are earned in the most horrific way of…

Thank you for the opportunity to share my testimony today. I look forward to any questions you may have.

I strongly urge this committee to find pathways necessary to make sure that survivor benefits are taken seriously and not pushed off again for the next Congress.

I am proud to co-sponsor Representatives Ciscomani's bill, the Prioritizing Veteran Survivors Act.

This is unacceptable, unacceptable to me, and it should be unacceptable to all of us.

I look forward to hearing from Mr. Jacobs' response to my questions on it today.

Even the suggestion that that could be the case is unsettling.

It is in that fog of grief that the survivors need to know that VA has their back.

We must ensure that our survivor community has access to the support benefits, healthcare that their servicemember or veteran has earned, period.

It is a debt that Phil Roe up here used to say could never be fully repaid.

I staunchly oppose the inclusion of any language in WRDA which would operationally or physically breach the Lower Snake River Dams.