The U.S. House of Representatives came together in a rare show of unity this week and unanimously passed a measure to resurrect an office that advocates for the survivors of U.S. military veterans.
By a vote of 424-0, the House passed H.R. 1228, known as the “Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act,” a strong bipartisan measure to restore the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to its original role under the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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The measure ensures that the office once more serves as the principal adviser on policies that affect military families and the survivors of loved ones lost in military service.
The passage of the bill reverses a 2021 action that sidelined advocacy for veterans’ survivors, according to reports.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), amends Title 38, United States Code, “to clarify the organization of the Office of Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs,” according to GovTrack. The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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VA Secretary Doug Collins, a former GOP lawmaker from Georgia, recently addressed “rumors” about reports that there would be stiff cuts to VA benefits and veterans’ care under Trump.
Among the claims he disputed was that VA health care would deteriorate.
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Collins categorically rejected this assertion, stating that the department has fortified its health care and benefits by preserving 300,000 mission-critical positions to guarantee uninterrupted services.
He also countered another rumor suggesting that Veterans’ benefits were being cut.
“They’re not,” he said, explaining that VA had redirected nearly $98 million toward Veterans’ care and services rather than reducing them.
Collins, a colonel and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, addressed the rumor that the VA was laying off Veterans Crisis Line responders.
“We did not lay off any Veteran Crisis Line responders,” he noted, while assuring that those answering crisis calls remain in place to support veterans in need.
Collins then encouraged Veterans to obtain information directly from the VA rather than depending on the misinformation that circulates in political discussions.
This development comes as House Republicans are about to pass the Save America Act for the fourth time.
The goal, House Republicans argue, is to force the U.S. Senate to finally pass it.
Speaker Johnson announced plans to merge the election integrity measure with the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act after conservatives brought House business to a standstill.
The move comes after a group of hard-line Republicans refused to support procedural rules needed to advance legislation unless the Senate acts on the SAVE America Act or the House takes additional steps to pressure the upper chamber.
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The SAVE America Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and require voters to present identification when casting a ballot.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Johnson said House Republicans would use an unusual parliamentary procedure known as “MIRVing” to package the two bills together before sending them to the Senate.
“We’re going to pass a MIRV, or what’s better known as a merge onto the rule,” Johnson said.
“So what that means is, when Republicans vote for the rule, they’ll be voting not just for the NDAA and everything else is there, but they’ll be voting to merge onto that the SAVE America Act we passed back in February.”
Johnson said the maneuver would ensure the Senate receives both measures together.
Even if the combined package reaches the Senate, lawmakers there could remove the SAVE America Act from the defense bill before final passage.
The approach also risks complicating consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act, one of Congress’ annual must-pass pieces of legislation that authorizes military programs and defense spending.
Johnson’s proposal could also create new political challenges with Democrats, who have strongly opposed the SAVE America Act and are expected to vote against the NDAA if the election legislation remains attached.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
