Ranking Member Takano Concludes Bipartisan, Bicameral VSO Hearings

WASHINGTON— Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-D) was joined by House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Members in welcoming veterans to Capitol Hill for the third and final annual, bicameral, bipartisan Veterans Service Organization (VSO) hearing of 2026.

Ranking Member Takano opened the hearing by highlighting the impacts of this Administration’s efforts to do more with less.

“The data suggests VA is already struggling with less. The New York Times reported yesterday that VA cut thousands of clinical positions that were filled before the administration and DOGE started pushing staff out. VA told us these were unneeded Covid-era positions, but VA’s own damning data tells us that isn’t true,” said Ranking Member Takano. “... About 73 percent of the 10,500 vacant positions VA just eliminated were last filled sometime in 2025 or 2026. These were recent vacancies. And rather than filling them, Secretary Collins just wiped all those clinical positions off the books. Expanding care and benefits for veterans requires people. Doctors and nurses. Claims processors. Social workers. Researchers. Police officers and support staff. All these roles help VA fulfill its mission.”

Ranking Member Takano also touched on the recent military action against Iran, noting the urgency and necessity of securing VA's ability to carefor the veterans this conflict will produce.

“So, I ask, has this administration planned and budgeted for the long-term costs of this conflict? Is VA prepared to provide a lifetime of medical care, disability compensation, mental health services, prosthetics, and caregiver support to a new generation of wartime veterans?... If this administration is willing to send Americans into harm’s way, it must be willing to fully fund and strengthen the VA system that will care for them for decades,” said Ranking Member Takano.

The first panel featured witnesses from American Legion, including American Legion National Commander Dan Wiley.

"This is a pivotal time for our country. Recent military action reminds us of the cost of service,” said American Legion National Commander Wiley. “Shouldered by a shrinking minority of American families. In our all-volunteer force, military service has become a family business. And while the average time in uniform is 4 to 8 years, the cost can potentially last a lifetime. And as we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, it is essential that we examine those costs and make sure that they are paid in full.”

National Commander Dan Wiley’s testimony focused on American Legion’s "number one priority”: ending veteran suicide. An average of 17 veterans die by suicide every day.

The second panel included Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Wounded Warrior Project, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), National Guard Association of the United States, and Mission Roll Call.

Anita Sullivan, surviving spouse of U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Michael Sullivan, represented TAPS, speaking to her personal experiences and advocating for passage of the Caring for Survivors Act and Love Lives On Act.

“Seven years ago... I became a widow, a title no one pursues. My husband, the father of our three children... died by suicide after faithful service to our nation and decades of physical and mental health battles that plagued him during and after his time in the Navy... His suicide in 2019 ended his physical and mental health battles. It was just the beginning of new challenges for our grieving, traumatized family,” said surviving spouse Anita Sullivan.

“I was at a TAPS seminar when I learned that Michael's suicide was deemed service-connected. After going from Michael's 100% VA disability compensation to zero overnight when he died, we would only have 43% reinstated... The wait for DIC is financially devastating for many survivors in the month-to-month stress continues for families, mine included,” she continued. “Raising DIC from 43% to 55% may seem insignificant to some, but for surviving spouses like me who struggle to maintain a career because it always came second to military service and caregiving, it makes a meaningful difference. Passing the Caring for Survivors Act would provide breathing room and ease financial pressures... VA health benefits are critical to our family's stability.”

Ranking Member Takano concluded the hearing by thanking the VSOs and veterans in attendance.

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