Newsbytes March 7, 2025
In this Issue:
President Trump Address Congress
Proposed Cuts of Nearly 80,000 At VA
HVAC Hearing on Unaccredited Claims Agents
FRA Attends Joint HVAC and SVAC VSO Hearing
VA Announces Plans For EHR Rollout
Gene Hackman Marine Corps Veteran, Dies at 95
President Trump Address Congress
President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress on March 4, 2025, covered national security and economic policy. The speech focused on topics like economic growth, border security, and foreign policy, with limited discussion on military personnel.
President Trump announced the capture of a terrorist tied to the 2021 Kabul attack that killed 13 U.S. service members. This statement was met with strong applause, reflecting acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by American troops.
Outside the chamber, some members of Congress invited veterans as guests to highlight concerns about the administration’s workforce reductions and their impact on former service members. This gesture underscored ongoing challenges faced by military families and veterans, including job security and access to support services.
The absence of direct commentary on veterans' well-being and military policies left questions about future plans for addressing these issues. As reactions from advocacy groups and military families emerge, attention may turn to how the administration plans to support those who have served.
Proposed Cuts of Nearly 80,000 At VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is slated to cut nearly 80,000 employees, reducing its workforce from 482,000 to approximately 399,000, aligning with 2019 levels. VA Secretary Doug Collins, backed by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced the plan to eliminate bureaucratic excess and redirect savings—estimated at over $98 million annually from prior cuts—toward veteran care. The proposal preserves 300,000 “mission-critical” roles, such as healthcare providers and Veterans Crisis Line staff, with Collins asserting, “The government exists to serve people, not employ them.”
Collins defends the cuts as a response to inefficiencies in administrative and support roles, which grew by over 72,000 employees since 2019 under the Biden administration. He argues that the VA can maintain benefits and healthcare quality by focusing resources on frontline services, citing the agency’s ability to sustain operations with fewer staff in the past. The plan, set for finalization by June 2025, aims to streamline operations amid rising demand from the PACT Act, which has enrolled over 796,000 new veterans since 2022.
Veteran service organizations, including the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), express alarm over the cuts’ potential to degrade care quality. The FRA plans to send a letter to House and Senate Veterans Affairs, and VA leadership requesting transparency on the nature of the reductions and their impact on services, reflecting broader fears that slashing staff by nearly one-fifth could strain a system already stretched by increased enrollment.
Lawmakers and veterans opposing the cuts argue that the VA’s recent staffing increases—such as 61,000 hires in fiscal 2023—improved wait times and appointment availability, gains now at risk. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) calls the plan a “betrayal,” while Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) warns it could hinder care for millions. Veterans like Raphael Garcia, a former VA claims processor, note that reduced staff may delay benefits, particularly as demand surges.
The debate pits efficiency against service quality, with supporters emphasizing fiscal responsibility and critics prioritizing veteran needs. As the VA navigates this overhaul, the FRA and others await detailed answers on how the agency will uphold its mission. With a final plan due in June, the outcome will shape care and benefits for veterans nationwide.
HVAC Hearing on Unaccredited Claims Agents
The House Veterans Affairs Committee’s Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee held a legislative hearing to discuss three draft bills reforming the VA claims assistance system. These included the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act, the Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans (PLUS) Act, and a proposal to amend Title 38 on fee agreements. The discussion tackled unaccredited claims representatives, the rise of for-profit assistance companies, and the need for better oversight, aiming to protect veterans while respecting their right to choose help.
The hearing featured two panels with Members of Congress, veteran advocates, and for-profit firm representatives. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) endorsed the PLUS Act, which accredits private claims firms under VA supervision with penalties for misconduct, arguing it preserves veteran options. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) pushed the GUARD VA Benefits Act, reinstating penalties for unaccredited representatives to ensure accountability. Chairman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) and Ranking Member Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) agreed on the urgency of shielding veterans from excessive fees and deceptive practices.
A core debate emerged over for-profit consultants. Josh Smith, CEO of Veteran Benefits Guide, defended their role in supporting veterans frustrated by VA delays, favoring the PLUS Act’s structure. Conversely, Diane Boyd Rauber of the National Organization of Veterans' Advocates argued that unaccredited representatives threaten system integrity, while Pat Murray of the Veterans of Foreign Wars highlighted accredited VSOs’ free, reliable assistance, both supporting the GUARD VA Benefits Act.
Accredited VSOs, such as the FRA’s program, were spotlighted for their VA-regulated training, testing, and oversight, ensuring high-quality, ethical service. The FRA backs the GUARD VA Benefits Act to enforce consistent standards across all claims helpers, bolstering trust and effectiveness.
Lawmakers expressed a unified goal of protecting veterans, with Luttrell and McGarvey urging VA involvement to refine accreditation and oversight. The legislative outcome will likely merge elements of both bills to combat fraud, enhance transparency, and maintain choice, with accredited VSOs setting a standard for dependable support.
FRA Attends Joint HVAC and SVAC VSO Hearing
FRA’s National President Maria Behm, NED Phillip Reid, PNC Robert Behm and ADLP Theo Lawson attended the Joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee legislative hearing featuring the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and multiple veterans service organizations (VSOs). FRA attendance demonstrates the association’s strong commitment to advocating for key legislative initiatives aimed at supporting veterans’ rights and benefits. Their presence reinforced the importance of collaboration among veteran service organizations in pushing for meaningful policy changes.
Among the major legislative topics discussed was the Major Richard Star Act, a crucial bill aimed at ending the offset between military retirement pay and disability compensation for combat-injured veterans. Panel members, voiced their strong support for the bill, emphasizing the urgent need to rectify this longstanding inequity and provide financial relief to disabled veterans.
The hearing also covered the implementation of the PACT Act, designed to expand healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. Panelists highlighted the need for greater transparency and efficiency in the VA’s implementation process to ensure veterans receive the care and support they deserve.
Additionally, the panel raised concerns about staffing shortages and recent mass firings at the VA, warning that these personnel cuts jeopardize the quality and accessibility of care for veterans, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The demand for a fully funded and adequately staffed VA workforce was emphasized as essential for maintaining the nation's promise to its veterans.
The FRA leadership’s attendance at the hearing, combined with their advocacy for significant legislative measures like the Major Richard Star Act and the PACT Act, showcased their dedication to advancing policies that protect and enhance veterans' well-being. Their support, along with the voices of other veteran leaders, serves as a powerful reminder of the collective resolve to fight for the rights and benefits of those who served.
VA Announces Plans For EHR Rollout
VA Secretary Doug Collins announced plans to accelerate the deployment of the Oracle Cerner EHR system, adding 13 new sites to the implementation schedule by 2026. This decision comes after a period of reassessment and improvement following earlier challenges with the system's rollout.
The FRA emphasizes the importance of this accelerated schedule, highlighting that a timely and efficient implementation of the EHR system is crucial to avoid further resource waste and ensure that veterans receive the high-quality care they deserve. The association also underscores the need for transparency and accountability throughout the deployment process to address any potential issues promptly.
By supporting the swift and effective implementation of the EHR system, the FRA reaffirms its commitment to advocating for initiatives that enhance the well-being of veterans and improve the services they receive.
Gene Hackman, Actor and Marine Corps Veteran, Dies at 95
Legendary actor and Marine Corps veteran Gene Hackman passed away at the age of 95, alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home on February 26, 2025. Authorities reported no signs of foul play, and the couple had likely been deceased for several days before they were discovered. Investigators are looking into the possibility of stress-induced “Broken Heart Syndrome” as a contributing factor, while toxicology reports are still pending.
Before his celebrated Hollywood career, Hackman served in the United States Marine Corps from 1946 to 1949. Enlisting at just 16, he was stationed in China and Japan as a field radio operator. His time in the service instilled a sense of discipline and determination that would later shape his acting career.
Hackman’s film legacy includes two Academy Awards and unforgettable roles in classics like The French Connection and Unforgiven. His remarkable talent and dedication, both on screen and in service to his country, leave behind an enduring legacy.