Reflecting on Our Veterans: A Call to Action
Today marks 24 years since the attacks on American soil, and those events have shaped a new generation of war veterans—individuals who responded to the nation’s call without a second thought. These brave souls have endured challenging times, witnessed deep losses, and carry a weight that only those who have been in combat can fully comprehend.
As service members who have taken our commitment to serve into Congress, we are acutely aware of the ongoing challenges faced by our fellow veterans. Many heroes have returned home, yet their battles persist. Abstract statistics can tell a calm story, but behind each number are faces, families, and fellow Americans who have sacrificed for our liberties.
The difficulties confronting our veteran community are intricate and urgent. A significant number of veterans find themselves waiting for months for their disability claims to be processed. They combat both visible and invisible injuries tied to their service—conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury demand immediate and accessible care.
We deeply feel our responsibility toward those who serve. When veterans lack access to promised healthcare or when military families face financial hardships, it undermines our national defense and breaks the trust we owe to those who answered the call of our nation.
In our discussions as members of the Republican Research Committee, we explore what being conservative means in today’s America. Supporting military personnel, ensuring a robust national defense, and honoring our veterans are fundamental conservative principles that require action, not just words.
The military spouse employment law exemplifies the kinds of solutions we should advocate for. By adding military spouses to the Labor Opportunity Tax Credit’s target groups, this law incentivizes businesses to hire these capable and resilient individuals. We take pride in this legislation, as it reflects the conservative ideal of removing governmental obstacles, promoting private sector solutions, and supporting those who serve our nation.
Similarly, the Veterans Access Act of 2025 addresses systemic challenges in veteran healthcare. This act simplifies access to the veterans health system while enhancing availability for crucial mental health and addiction treatment programs. Veterans should not have to contend with bureaucratic hurdles after having fought for their country—we owe them efficient and timely care tailored to their needs.
Through the efforts of the House Veterans Committee, House Republicans are committed to honoring veterans by improving telehealth access, expanding job opportunities for all veterans—including those with service-related disabilities—making education benefits easier to obtain, and ensuring rural veterans can access licensed health professionals.
President Trump and House Republicans stand firm in their commitment to our veterans and their families. The historic budget agreement passed in the early months of the 119th Congress will deliver direct benefits to veterans. With 37,500 veterans employed in advanced professions and 1.4 million receiving overtime, this law translates to increased earnings for those who already contribute so much to our country.
Under the guidance of VA Secretary Doug Collins, we have seen significant progress in addressing the claims backlog that has frustrated veterans over the years. This year, the VA is processing more disability compensation and pension claims than ever before, with July marking the first time the department completed over 300,000 requests in a single month. This is a tangible advancement that impacts the lives of veterans.
These accomplishments reflect what can be achieved when the administration prioritizes the needs of veterans. Congress must stay aligned with this commitment to support the warriors and their families who safeguard our freedoms. We remain a nation of liberty because of the brave.
These warriors answered the call without hesitation in the aftermath of 9/11. Now, it’s our turn to respond with equal urgency. Their mission may have concluded, but ours is only just beginning.
