Lawmakers and advocates are calling the ongoing government shutdown and its political undercurrents “disastrous” for veterans and active-duty service members, noting that the lack of funding jeopardizes their access to food assistance and healthcare.
“This shutdown is really tough on active military personnel, and the financial stakes are only part of the issue,” Cathy Ross Duque, co-founder and CEO of Blue Star Families, shared during the Veteran Voices Summit. She spoke with NewsNation’s Washington bureau chief, emphasizing broader concerns.
Although Veterans Affairs generally enjoys bipartisan support, many believe that recent funding cuts and closures, particularly during the Trump administration, are hitting military members the hardest.
“We can’t continue to hurt ourselves with situations like this,” remarked Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), who previously served in the Air Force. “It’s crucial that we support our veterans, and partisanship shouldn’t play a role here.”
About 1.2 million veterans in the United States live in households that are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps low-income families access food.
Funding for SNAP was supposed to end on November 1, but lawmakers have introduced a bill aimed at securing the program’s funding amid the shutdown. Following a recent federal court ruling, the administration announced plans to allocate some resources to SNAP.
Ross Duque indicated a noticeable increase in military families seeking help from food banks as many spouses of service members are federal employees, thus facing income loss due to the shutdown.
“And beyond that, our military relies heavily on civilian leadership,” she argued. “When that leadership falters, it shakes our trust in the service.” She mentioned that due to the ongoing political climate, some veterans are hesitant to recommend military service to others.
Virginia Berger, a senior defense policy analyst and former Marine, expressed concerns over the “politicization of the military.” She highlighted how recent federal actions, such as deploying the National Guard, are impacting veterans’ morale.
“When the military’s trust erodes, it ultimately hurts the veterans,” she stated. “It affects our capabilities, and if the reputations of the organizations we work with suffer, it won’t bode well for us.”
Abraham Kamarck, CEO of True Made Foods and a Navy veteran, noted how broader administration policies are adversely affecting veterans. He reported raising product prices twice this year, attributing it to the economic instability linked to Trump’s tariffs.
“Anything that breeds uncertainty in business is detrimental,” he commented. “We need clear direction.”
Access to healthcare for veterans became a key topic at the summit, with multiple speakers emphasizing the heightened mental health risks, especially regarding suicide.
“We must continue advancing technology to provide medical and government services that veterans can relate to,” said Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), a former three-star Marine general.
However, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) voiced concerns that planned federal cuts to Medicaid could limit healthcare access for veterans, with around 1.6 million using Medicaid.
Hundreds of thousands of veterans also rely on the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits for insurance, a crucial topic amid a funding battle in Congress, where Democrats seek to renew it while Republicans delay the process, hoping to reach a temporary resolution first.
“I’m concerned that veterans’ healthcare could take a serious hit,” Takano expressed during an interview with NewsNation’s national anchor.
The shutdown has also stalled numerous bipartisan bills aimed at addressing veteran issues, including initiatives to expand healthcare options and assist with career transitions.
One significant bill that may remain in limbo until the shutdown ends would provide medical benefits to families of Area 51 veterans, those exposed to radiation during nuclear testing.
Dave Creta, an Area 51 veteran, traveled to D.C. in hopes of persuading Congress and the White House to offer medical care for his family. He was eager to speak with House Speaker Mike Johnson during his visit.
“I truly hope someone can help me make these connections so I can say, ‘Please, be a hero to some people,'” Creta stated.
