American Legion voices support for shielding veterans from fraud and human errors, holding VA staff accountable and more.
American Legion representatives testified twice June 11 on Capitol Hill on behalf of the nation’s veterans, servicemembers and their families.
American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Director Cole Lyle expressed the organization’s support for a series of bills under consideration by the House Veterans Affairs Committee’s (HVAC) Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee.
Among the bills under consideration that the Legion supports:
• H.R. 984, which would amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide timely equitable relief to an individual who suffers a loss based on an administrative error by the Secretary, and for other purposes. “With the implementation of the PACT Act and record volume of claims submitted, the risk of human error has grown,” Lyle said. “Veterans should not bear the financial or psychological burden of mistakes beyond their control.”
• H.R. 1663, Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act of 2025. Veterans are 40% more likely to fall victim to scams, Lyle noted.
• H.R. 3185, Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act of 2025. “This legislation rightly balances due process with the need to maintain trust in the VA workforce,” he said. “We must hold ourselves to the same standards of honor and integrity we expect from those we serve.”
• H.R. 3482, Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act.
• H.R. 3494, VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act.
In conclusion, Lyle told the subcommittee, “Our veterans do not ask for special treatment. They only ask for the care and benefits they earned delivered with competence, integrity and compassion. The bills under discussion today move us closer to that standard.”
Also on June 11, American Legion Senior Policy Associate Andrew Petrie testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on pending legislation affecting education, financial stability and housing for servicemembers, veterans and their families. Among the bills under consideration that the Legion supports:
• H.R. 1965: Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act, which under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program would increase the yearly book and supplies stipend for veteran students from $1,00 to $1,400.
• DRAFT: Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act, which would increase the monthly housing stipend under the Post9/11 Educational Assistance Program for individuals who pursue programs of education solely through distance learning on more than a half-time basis.
• H.R. 2791: To amend title 38, United States Code, this legislation would increase the maximum amount of Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty entitlement from 25 percent to 150 percent to enable veterans to achieve homeownership and expand access to stable housing.
• DRAFT: To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for homelessness benefits to ensure that servicemembers who were discharged under other than honorable conditions, excluding those separated by reason of a dishonorable discharge or General Court Martial sentencing, are included and not excluded from lifesaving assistance.
Lyle will also testify at a hearing that starts at 2:15 p.m. June 12 at the HVAC Health Subcommittee hearing. Watch the livestream here.
- Legislative