[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6310490,"mediaKeyId","2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d","parentId",2402172,"title","State veterans homes and cemetery grants need larger, sustained funding, state directors tell committees","audioSeconds",177,"startMs",9861000,"endMs",10038000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d&start=9861&end=10038","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d/thumbnail_9861000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310490/State-veterans-homes-and-cemetery-grants-need-larger-sustained-funding-state-directors-tell-committees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310490-e3905c3f5854bcaa7f38ade1b05f6929/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035493&Signature=d2IDcrsPdmTuOINl4FSwiiilvlH6Md7fTDQptGiHcuYX9duxIshdXv~3tt-aPxQsEV8ELh4jr2Mf23L5qYZkWZqTdhaB5HeGwRCj-HSnqGeiV2VIaaZ59uSdRH-WUleYwBGeAihzuQOgV6jNQuA17m6oqLqSdvF~FT6zv8~BCoSK50nK~yGgYqm58AvGg4PAMsOatUgxyUhCNIIY3b~Avxz0nPaL1AJROAtc7uOCA68lNSRHLPjzxk0q82bM~DNj7KYF2h6k-RTEnKrBbmMwwGV8TtH7Ce2SiU5K8IGtv2t5C84gZNOHCGc36K9Nvsp~e3E-7wkkgAaciEpxUhH3wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs","date","2025-02-13T20:45:14Z","article","State veterans affairs directors told the joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees that federal grant programs for veterans homes and state‑run cemeteries require substantially higher funding to meet current needs.

Tim Shepherd, president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA), told the panel the State Veterans Home Construction Program supports 171 operational homes with more than 30,000 beds and that 81 priority group‑1 projects are pending that would require roughly $1.3 billion to fund the federal 65 percent match. He urged increasing proposed funding from $147 million to at least $650 million to address critical capital needs.

Shepherd also said the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program currently lacks sufficient resources; NASDVA recommended raising the program funding from approximately $60 million to at least $120 million to address priority group projects and ensure burial access within reasonable distance.

Why it matters: State veterans homes supply over half of long‑term care for veterans and state/tribal cemeteries handle a substantial share of veteran interments; underfunding can reduce local capacity for nursing care and burial options.

What the witnesses requested: Increased appropriations for major and minor construction, higher per diem rates to compensate for rising costs and workforce shortages, and prioritization of state projects in FY2026 funding decisions.

Ending: State directors said predictable, sufficient funding is needed to modernize facilities, maintain staffing and meet demographic needs of the aging veteran population.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint House and Senate VSO Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","State directors told the joint committee that funding for State Veterans Home Construction and Veterans Cemetery Grant programs is insufficient to meet demand, and recommended higher federal matches and increased per diem and grant levels to support beds and burials.","taxTitle","Veterans Affairs: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1825,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310495,"VSOs and researchers push community partnerships, residential care and targeted grants to reduce veteran suicide",302,10185000,10487000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d&start=10185&end=10487","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d/thumbnail_10185000.jpg","/articles/6310495/VSOs-and-researchers-push-community-partnerships-residential-care-and-targeted-grants-to-reduce-veteran-suicide","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310495-5128d726ef25685980d6640d1e883946/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035493&Signature=E21WUfO8AI9fac4duBg69fEMIXDAzR4Ku2E3f1fxCzXfZhSCEE6ybLEzHiphIrB6k7iZGDSj~11OGoCMN-SVpn~wwI7No9ezDvcqz9FXwn~gPM8XHGMc343rmJRGiSVuOpzMHwU8ZYYjqn-FqwKo~u0mGqUR4CpFq4PncINIFU7vZKCFOqPQr7ly6QONtNbwNOtb3W7SVRWC9fblOU9jJsGN7R4mx6ksgFeGBJ4kbDyo8zH6JpF4-iU3ZsMJbZw-Zh0VxWmvLVt9DqxIp3buGhb-nIVPdFVQQ2BAVlKNCuG1puZ6GYLb9YMc74eYa2ZJEt3zwJJwEYbUXnpIf4vPgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple witnesses at the joint hearing urged Congress to invest in evidence‑driven, community‑based suicide prevention and to bolster residential and peer‑support programs that reach veterans outside traditional VA settings.

Raymond Tennyson of the Daniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families said the VA’s national suicide report makes clear that suicide rates remain “unacceptably high” and that economic, housing and health stressors compound risk. He recommended stronger data standards, program evaluation and expanded funding for community programs such as America Serves and the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox suicide prevention grants.

Lieutenant General Walter Piatt of Wounded Warrior Project urged continued investment in mental health, financial wellness and traumatic brain injury research and services. Wounded Warrior Project planned to bring 100 veterans to Washington for meetings with lawmakers to press those issues; Piatt told the committee the organization will urge passage of a Veterans Access Act to set access standards for VA residential rehabilitation and mental health programs.

Why it matters: Suicide prevention requires upstream supports—stable housing, employment and accessible care—and witnesses argued that community partners, evaluated grant programs and residential options are effective ways to reach veterans who do not otherwise use VA services.

Policy asks and specifics:
- Reauthorize and strengthen the Fox grant program with grantee feedback and improved evaluation requirements.
- Fund community‑based programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes and require standardized data reporting.
- Set access standards for residential mental health programs to ensure timely entry for veterans in crisis.
- Increase research funding into traumatic brain injury and blast impacts, and expand evidence‑based treatments.

Ending: Witnesses asked for clearer metrics and for Congress to pair funding with independent evaluation so successful community programs can be scaled.","Witnesses including the Daniello Institute and Wounded Warrior Project urged Congress to strengthen community‑based suicide prevention, reauthorize and improve the Fox program, expand residential mental health capacity and fund outcome‑driven evaluations of programs that work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310500,"Minority and transgender veterans say policy changes are eroding access and safety at VA",2237,8983000,11220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d&start=8983&end=11220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d/thumbnail_8983000.jpg","/articles/6310500/Minority-and-transgender-veterans-say-policy-changes-are-eroding-access-and-safety-at-VA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310500-e5491cd1d49efe570bb6dfee131dd92d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035493&Signature=VhzoMOW7-u92zc570jr8C0OL1FBIeMxZnuMc05Q-npQt5wfJM8SBFmi5od5VghrWcz6RZ96L9JeKtT69dGS5ftcJp~rzEVlnY6EEmOYQVfAASpYWFC2APOtPDQuSviKT8F51wGwbLz9Nv2QNjk6~suEbwPzuVWed8hn~l210bUoDjblVvezGhFj0msNCzvYUKlUXVWdqSaNroyfqynP2D~edv-8FzfBa0k~Yeihlkyz-ToMjqsPS1P2pWoQEQCLwIxO8f~yxvFq2GuCaP5ZrIwCiUyfPmXDEluPAcDfGBWWUq0U1e6AO6SBP5isPBuMipxTJ6ICNt1u7Z~9nFlWz8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs hearing, minority veterans and advocates told lawmakers that recent policy moves and personnel changes at the Department of Veterans Affairs have created uncertainty about access to gender‑affirming care and other services for underserved veteran populations.

Lindsay Church, a Navy veteran and transgender advocate, told the committee: “This is not governance. This is negligence at best, willful cruelty at worst.” She described instances in which transgender veterans’ clinical records had been altered and said some providers no longer felt able to guarantee safe, respectful care. She said one transgender veteran in Syracuse died by suicide on Jan. 27 and described community concern that policy shifts were worsening harms.

Why it matters: Minority veterans—including women, veterans of color, LGBTQ+ veterans and those with limited resources—already experience disparities in access and outcomes. Witnesses said recent decisions have increased fear of using VA services, and that officials must preserve nondiscriminatory access and clear reporting channels for harassment and discrimination.

What advocates asked for: Witnesses requested that Congress and VA protect workforce capacity that delivers specialized care, reaffirm nondiscrimination protections and ensure independent reporting and remediation systems for harassment and discrimination (testimony referenced the Deborah Sampson Act’s aims). They urged reinstatement where firings have disrupted mission‑critical services and stronger, independent oversight of implementation.

Ending: Committee members from both parties said they would continue oversight. Several lawmakers asked VSOs to provide specific examples of disrupted care so the committee could act.","Representatives of minority veterans, including transgender veterans, told the committee that recent executive actions and staffing changes are creating confusion and fear about access to gender‑affirming and other care, and urged Congress to protect services and reinstate staff where needed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310504,"American Legion lays out priorities: PACT Act implementation, TAP reform, suicide prevention",662,2974000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d&start=2974&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d/thumbnail_2974000.jpg","/articles/6310504/American-Legion-lays-out-priorities-PACT-Act-implementation-TAP-reform-suicide-prevention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310504-564050decd96cf4c84c5209e38d6cb18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035493&Signature=VhHHOlYaUeg3MnpFbNIUxWeVHkGs2G1vAJhXEODOAqPC4FDJ5aNYuYpDLwCKX5Wk5~rRUR64CChQ5cNXX2ewlmQL4QWqVfIWS02yJvDuep5PEJldQtRMyO9-PLrMJmLrOuN6u6R1~kYv~EjOVciEWdjPA9bN8o2Hz7YGAXokc81hb7h33RYy1RV6INcW3wTGAWFymol7LYeFNKwpqL1wkEEv6pnVRTHXdD5XimdRI-0rQi1ll218MOYaF6Pi0XeGV9bjQAdM7BCEvQIZjreEwu1gqs3uVjEcp~xO~-oDXoSN1w3FuTG9zp74Qm0cdvQvQA8vGctmi4GLIHwXvfwJfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The American Legion told a joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs hearing that its top priorities include completing PACT Act implementation, strengthening transition assistance and electronic health records, expanding suicide‑prevention efforts and pursuing GI Bill parity for Guard and Reserve members.

James LaCourciere, national commander of The American Legion, described the organization’s broad priorities and the group’s role in supporting veterans: “If we fail to live up to these important covenants, the thanks of a grateful nation to those who have sacrificed so much simply falls flat,” he said in prepared remarks.

Why it matters: The American Legion represents nearly three million members and has been a consistent advocate for changes to VA policy and legislation. Committee members and witnesses agreed that better implementation of existing laws and improved transition services could reduce downstream problems such as delayed claims, homelessness and suicide.

Key proposals and discussion:
- PACT Act implementation: Witnesses called for expedited use of the PACT Act’s new presumptive framework so that veterans do not wait years for recognition of service‑connected conditions. The Legion urged VA to brief VSOs regularly on new presumptive decisions.
- Transition assistance (TAP): The Legion and multiple members urged an earlier and more outcome‑driven TAP to convert military skills into civilian employment and reduce suicide risk in the first year after discharge.
- Electronic health records (EHR): The Legion emphasized completion of the EHR modernization program to ensure medical and deployment histories move with service members into VA care.
- Suicide prevention and peer support: The Legion highlighted its Be The 1 program and partnerships with Columbia University, noting training for more than 12,000 people and local outreach to prevent veteran suicide.
- GI Bill parity and caregiver support: The Legion supported legislation to extend GI Bill benefits to Guard and Reserve members and urged more robust caregiver supports and reemployment programs.

What committee members said: Senators and representatives from both parties praised VSOs’ role in the 2022 PACT Act and in earlier legislation; several lawmakers repeated the need not only to pass legislation but to ensure effective implementation and sufficient VA workforce capacity to carry it out.

Ending: The American Legion asked for continued collaboration with Congress and VA officials and pledged to follow up on implementation details through the committees’ oversight process.","The American Legion’s national commander and legislative directors briefed House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees on priorities including full implementation of the PACT Act presumptions, improved transition assistance (TAP), electronic health records, suicide prevention (Be The 1), and GI Bill parity for National Guard and Reserve members.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6310507,"VSOs, lawmakers warn mass VA staffing cuts and contract cancellations risk veteran care",5230,1908000,7138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d&start=1908&end=7138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402172-5029d85e75f4430df25a441edb70703d/thumbnail_1908000.jpg","/articles/6310507/VSOs-lawmakers-warn-mass-VA-staffing-cuts-and-contract-cancellations-risk-veteran-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310507-d206cdde4d5e8efc4daa4e840ee269f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035493&Signature=eNJa5BFxdggBcKouzFRHO5jYlWeZSWRWzXQRSbok7ESdqVLZAsfhvOBdjjB6Rujamhfqtl8NlJS7sjehf5KxMdB0FhhlyUb3jngSKhd-ASkG0gW4mrg~C07VIl59s9AiQFpSjY8kKsA7vTyim7pD8ZtY-R~bnl8iMWMnrAodI4k33-SJoQ~QDhQqAp9BsrTvQyiBh9bHiCIeVsV-gS~3PGjWkZNTJVmgSxj9x5WtnwJT4sDKHKJJJpVH30Kgwlurk1ky1R7P0j0ga6cst3Ojhv~1Lb8ZSkW4gFE8Z30LoCkSbpXu4KWu7bt0mF9x2oNFbCDd9DoAgomPcKvnJT6jWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs hearing, veterans service organizations (VSOs) and lawmakers said rapid personnel reductions, a hiring freeze and high‑profile contract cancellations at the Department of Veterans Affairs threaten veteran access to care and benefits.

Representative Takano, the House Veterans’ Affairs ranking member, told the committee, “We learned on Monday that VA indiscriminately fired an additional 1,400 employees. That means we have lost more than 2,400 VA employees just in the last 2 weeks,” a tally several witnesses and members later described as worsening an already strained workforce.

The concern centers on whether the changes—fired employees, a hiring freeze and the secretary’s publicized contract terminations—will slow claims adjudication, reduce crisis‑line capacity and diminish clinical and administrative support inside VA facilities. Senator Blumenthal and other members said they have compiled lists of canceled contracts that they say provided direct services to veterans; in committee remarks he cited the secretary’s announcement that terminations could total roughly $2,000,000,000 in contract value and that a list of about 875 contracts was circulated publicly.

Why it matters: Committee members and VSOs told the panel the VA’s ability to process claims under the PACT Act, staff veterans crisis‑line services and maintain clinical capacity depends on retained, experienced employees. Several lawmakers urged immediate transparency from VA on who was separated, the occupational mix of firings, and whether mission‑critical roles were affected.

What witnesses said: Director Cole Lyle of the American Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation committee said the organization had spoken with VA career officials and with the VA secretary and that career officials “did not express any concern that [the firings] would” impact direct health care and benefits, while also saying the American Legion wanted “a productive conversation with him and with your committees going forward, about how it would impact veterans.” The American Legion and other VSOs told the panel they would monitor local effects and surface examples to lawmakers.

But multiple members gave examples they said indicate real impacts: Senator Tillis and Representative McGarvey flagged local reports of terminated staff in clinical and support roles; Representative McGarvey said his office had received calls about diminished morale and feared service impacts. Senator Duckworth described efforts to get at least two veterans crisis‑line employees reinstated after they were fired and stressed the line’s rapid response time as critical to suicide prevention.

Committee requests and next steps: Members asked the VA for detailed, facility‑level data on separations (by occupation and veteran status), the scope of contract cancellations, and plans to preserve mission‑critical services. Several members said they would request records and push for hearings focused specifically on workforce impacts if clear facility‑level harm was reported.

What the administration and VA representatives told the committee: At the hearing, some VA career officials and VSO representatives emphasized that exemption policies were in place for mission‑critical roles and that they had been assured exemptions would be used liberally; others said it was too early to conclude the net effect. Several VSOs asked for clearer, regular briefings to ensure local problems are identified and mitigated quickly.

Outlook: Lawmakers of both parties said they would continue oversight and press the VA for facility‑level data and assurances that veterans’ access to care, claims processing and crisis services will not be degraded. The committee repeatedly asked VSOs and veterans to bring specific instances of service disruption to its attention so oversight can act on concrete evidence.

Ending: Witnesses and members emphasized continued monitoring and follow‑up. Representative Takano and several senators said they would not let personnel decisions proceed without clear evidence they do not harm veterans’ care or benefits.","At a joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs hearing, veterans service organizations and members of Congress raised alarms about recent VA workforce reductions, disputed contract cancellations and the potential effect on claims processing, the veterans crisis line and direct care.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State veterans homes and cemetery grants need larger, sustained funding, state directors tell committees

VSOs and researchers push community partnerships, residential care and targeted grants to reduce veteran suicide

Minority and transgender veterans say policy changes are eroding access and safety at VA

American Legion lays out priorities: PACT Act implementation, TAP reform, suicide prevention

VSOs, lawmakers warn mass VA staffing cuts and contract cancellations risk veteran care