▶ 0:05:47Testing chairman's mic. Test one, two, three, 4. Test mic one. Test.
▶ 0:06:091 2 3 Good
▶ 0:27:06afternoon everyone. The subcommittee will come to order. Without objection, the chairman may declare recess at any time. We are here to discuss six bills that would strengthen support for our veterans and their families, improve access to earned benefits, and ensure that those who served our nation are honored with dignity with the dignity that they deserve. The bills before us today provide veterans and survivors with a cost of living adjustment to help keep pace with our current inflation. Improve efforts to uh locate and honor veterans whose remains have gone unclaimed.
▶ 0:27:34Consider whether veterans in natural disaster zones or facing other special circumstances might benefit from the processes to speed up their claims. Ensure the VA has a sufficient plan to continue burial options for veterans in Hawaii and support local local organizations working to identify, recover, and memorialized unclaimed veterans. The bills before us today seem very different, but they are all rooted in the same principles. When an American service, when an American serves this country, our nation makes a promise to them. Today's bills are about keeping that promise.
▶ 0:28:04HR8552, the Veterans Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2026, would ensure that veterans and survivors receiving certain VA benefits get the same annual adjustments provided to Social Security beneficiaries. And for many families, these benefits help cover everyday necessities. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the value of these earned benefits align with a veteran's financial needs. And I'm proud to lead this bill with my good friend and ranking member, Mr. McGarvey. There are two other bills I would like to highlight from Representative Valado and Mr.
▶ 0:28:34and Congressman Nun, the locating our unclaimed veterans act and the unclaimed veterans legacy grant program. Sir, thank you for joining us today. Both bills aim to tackle an important issue, unclaimed veterans remains. When a veteran passes away with no next of kin to make final arrangements, their remains are classified as unclaimed. This designation leaves heroes without the recognition they earned through their service.
▶ 0:28:56And Representative Nun's bill would create a new grant program to support organizations participating in these efforts, strengthen efforts to identify those veterans, and ensure a dignified burial is received. Authorized for the next two years, this program would draw upon the funds from existing grant program dedicated to organizations who work to memorialize our veterans. The VA pilot The VA would pilot this program, measures it its success, and create a future informed request for any additional resources.
▶ 0:29:26And alternatively, Representative Valido's bill would help tackle the issues from a secondary avenue. These legislation would require the VA to set up a formal system to receive requests from funeral homes, state governments, and coroners who suspect an individual in their care is a veteran. I would also require VA It would also require VA to develop partnerships with the FBI, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of War to leverage their data when identifying whether an unclaimed person is actually a veteran.
▶ 0:29:55Above all else, no veteran should ever be forgotten. These proposals would support our efforts to ensure that no veteran service is lost to time or I would also like to mention Representative Self's bill on our agenda today. The department's the department previously informed this committee in its early yearly budget request that all claims and appeals from 2009 Filipino veterans equity compensation fund have been processed and fulfilled by the VA.
▶ 0:30:22This money was appropriated by Congress for one singular purpose and I'm looking forward to hearing from the VA as to whether it is time to sunset the account and or if it should continue into the future. However, due to a prior overestimation of how many claims would apply, there is still over 55 million taxpayer dollars sitting stagnant in that fund. Despite rhetoric surrounding this account, the CBO informed this committee that the money in this account cannot be spent elsewhere.
▶ 0:30:50The Treasury already assumes that all claims and appeals have been paid out to the elig eligible recipients. That $55 million is the total money left that can be borrowed if more claims are filed, but it is simply not money sitting in a room at the VA. Simply put, this bill helps the VA clean up what they need to and address their books. I want to thank the members who introduced these bills and witnesses who have joined us today. I look forward to hearing their perspectives and discussing how these proposals can better serve veterans, survivors, and their families.
▶ 0:31:21I now yield to the ranking member McGarvey for his opening
▶ 0:31:24Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon. Appreciate everybody being here and for holding this important hearing. Uh you mentioned a lot of the bills. Appreciate the bipartisan nature of this hearing as well. Um would like to highlight two of the bills we've got from my colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle today. We have Representative Casease from Hawaii uh having his Hawaii National Cemetery Act. Something long overdue and Representative Petta's Provide Act. I'm looking forward to hearing about these bills and exactly how they're going to benefit our veterans and survivors. As you know, Mr. Mr.
▶ 0:31:51Chairman, the goal of this committee, the goal of the committee as a whole is always to honor the men and women who are willing to put on a uniform and serve us, who are willing to quite literally sacrifice everything for our freedom and our safety. There are two bills that are up today. I do have some concerns with, not with the intent of the bills, but with some of the execution and how the bills actually go forward. Uh, the first is HR 9321, the Uncame Veterans Legacy Program or VP Act. Again, the intent of this bill is great.
▶ 0:32:18It is to expand the VLGP program to assist with locating and identifying unclaimed veteran remains. Uh something very important for those who who have have paid the ultimate price. Um but it also has a clause that says no funds can be provided to the program for that purpose. Uh if we're going to expand the program, I think we should be providing the necessary funding to make it successful and and something that I think we should get into. That leads me to the second bill I have reservations with. um wi-i- which is one you just talked about.
▶ 0:32:48The compensation fund recrediting act and unclaimed veterans legacy grant program act. Yes. The compensation fund recrediting act would wind down the Filipino veterans equity fund and transfer remaining funds to the treasury. I think that's my problem. Two problems with this. Number one is we we are immediately shutting it down without making sure there there isn't anyone left who was intended to benefit from this program. Maybe having a slightly longer window for that to happen.
▶ 0:33:14But number two, this is money that has been allocated to go to people who have served our country, served with our our veterans and that sort of thing. When we have a bill, even like I just talked about with the unclaimed veterans legacy grant program that needs funding, we have funds that are sitting stagnant in the VA that could be used for so many of the things we've talked about when we are constantly looking for pay fors in this committee.
▶ 0:33:38uh the idea of giving that money that has been allocated for our veterans back to the treasury with no guarantee that it is coming back to serve our veterans is something that I hope this committee can dive into a little further. So, Mr. Chairman, I I think we agree that our veteran families need support uh that they need to afford the rising cost of living in this country. Um I think it's reasonable to assume that the programs intended to help them, we have to adequately fund those as well.
▶ 0:34:04So, I look forward to today's discussion that gives us a complete picture of these bills and and if necessary, maybe some amendments or work we can do to improve them to make sure that they are working completely for our veterans and survivors. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
▶ 0:34:18Thank you, Mr. McGarvey. And I am absolutely always open to our our debates that we have. I know we can absolutely meet where we need to to take care of our veterans. We have a full agenda this afternoon. So, I will ask members to keep the remarks to approximately 3 minutes so that we can hear from all of our witnesses. And today, we are joined by several of our colleagues who have introduced and are leading legislation before us. I want to thank each of them for their work on behalf of our nation's veterans, survivors, and military families. And Mr. Case, again, apologies. Thank you for for coming and sitting in with us today.
▶ 0:34:49Uh, in accordance with the committee rules, I ask unanimous consent that the following members be permitted to participate in today's subcommittee hearings. Representative Casease from Hawaii and Representative Nun from Iowa. Without objection, so ordered is our practice and we will forgo a round of questioning for each member. Um any questions may be submitted for the and Mr. Representative Bergman, you are recognized for three minutes here to speak on HR 90006.
▶ 0:35:19Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hey, am I looking at both catchers?
▶ 0:35:23What happened? Am I looking at both
▶ 0:35:27Yes, you are.
▶ 0:35:27Yes. Yes, you are.
▶ 0:35:29You know, I can see there's going to be no pass balls
▶ 0:35:33in this comment on how amazing we are.
▶ 0:35:36I don't want my time to start. You know,
▶ 0:35:38I'll give you I'll give you five minutes. You go ahead. [laughter] Well, you know, and and I'm honored to uh make opening comments remarks on Representative Val Dale's bill HR9006 for locating our unclaimed veterans act. Um this does not create any funding lines.
▶ 0:36:00It directs simply directs the VA to establish a centralized portal for the storage of information with respect to the unclaimed remains of veterans. Currently, there's no single centralized program that does this. What the bill is seeking to this is what the bill is seeking to address. It's a it's just an unintended gap. Decentralized handling across three VA administrations.
▶ 0:36:26The National Cemetery Associate uh administration handles the actual burial benefits side. The Veterans Veterans Veterans Benefits Administration. Each re VA regional office has an indigent veterans and unclaimed remains outreach coordinator who handles outreach and benefit determinations at the local level. And finally, the Veterans Health Administration.
▶ 0:36:49If a veteran dies while under the care of the Veterans Health Administration, the closest VA healthc care facility arranges proper burial. This kind of just clo this bill just kind of closes a loop. There's nothing controversial, no added funds, just let's get it right by creating that that IT system if you will at Cordon connects all the dots. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 0:37:18Thank you, Mr. Bergman. Uh, Representative Case, sir, you're now recognized for three minutes.
▶ 0:37:25Thank you very much, uh, Mr. Chair and ranking member. I I really deeply appreciate you're allowing me to wave on to the committee to discuss my bill which I've introduced with my colleague Representative Tokuda and we have a counterpart bill in the Senate introduced by Senator Misi Herono. Uh this bill uh simply put the Hawaii National Cemetery Act uh commences a process towards a new national cemetery in Hawaii.
▶ 0:37:51Um, obviously we all know that veterans who qualify for burial benefits have a choice about their final resting place, including a burial in a national cemetery. And most veterans do want to be buried in a national cemetery, and they do want to be buried in a national cemetery near where they live. Um, in Hawaii, we have one of the most beautiful and unique national cemeteries in our country, uh, the National Cemetery of the Pacific, which we've referred to as Punch Bowl. a very unique and spectacular national cemetery created in 1949.
▶ 0:38:21U there are currently 53,000 uh veterans and families for whom that is their final resting place including my my grandfather and my uncle uh for starters. Uh and we have 109,000 veterans uh in our Hawaii disproportionate number which is going to continue into the future. Um although this is a beautiful national cemetery, although it is a truly unique, I hope you would visit it one day if you haven't already, it is out of room.
▶ 0:38:48Uh it has been essentially closed to casketed burials since 1991 and it will stop accepting cremated re remains by 2036. The nature of the cemetery in a volcanic crater uh requires uh it to be uh confined and therefore there's no opportunity to expand. It's in the middle of a city. Uh it's very unique uh but it doesn't have any more room.
▶ 0:39:12And so to maintain equitable access for our veterans in Hawaii uh we need to start the process of a new national cemetery to allow them their final resting place uh where they were buried and this bill simply does that. Now I would like to uh very quickly address uh the opposition of the Veterans Administration to this bill which I hope to wear them down on. Uh first of all I want to make one basic comment here. Hawaii is not the continental United States.
▶ 0:39:38Hawaii is 2,500 miles away from the continental United States. And so if a veteran wants to be buried in a national cemetery, which is their right, um then they are either going to be buried in Punch Bowl, which is not available to them today, or they have to go 2500 miles away uh to the newest or to the nearest national cemetery on the continental United States. Now, the Veterans Administration says, "Well, there's a state veterans uh cemetery available. We do not have tribal cemeteries in Hawaii, so that option is not available.
▶ 0:40:09Uh, and basically what the VA says is, well, you can go get buried in the state veteran cemetery, which is a nice veteran cemetery. I don't want to downplay it at all. However, the choice should be a national cemetery within approximate distance to one's home. And the fact of the matter is that on the continental United States, that is a feasible option because there are many national cemeteries. in Hawaii. Again, if you want to be buried in National Cemetery, you don't have that option unless you go to the continental United States.
▶ 0:40:37And so, the fundamental bottom line here is that Hawaii is not the same as the rest of the United States from this perspective. Veterans deserve to be buried in a national cemetery, not be forced into a state veteran cemetery because of the specific conditions of Hawaii. And this process does not prejudge where that national cemetery is in Hawaii, how big it is, or anything else. It simply starts a long process about a 10-year process towards a new national cemetery. Really appreciate your support.
▶ 0:41:07Uh really appreciate your questions, your involvement. Happy to work with the uh uh subcommittee whenever and however you want uh on this particular bill. Thank you and I yield
▶ 0:41:18Thank you, sir. Mr. Nun, you're recognized for three minutes.
▶ 0:41:22Well, thank you very much, Chairman Latrell, and for Ranking Member McGar for one, having us on here. I want to highlight that this is an important committee hearing for all of us, particularly when it comes to taking care of those veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This afternoon, I'd like to talk about HR 9321, the unclaimed veterans legacy grant program that I'm working with my fellow combat aviator Don Davis on a fellow Air Force veteran.
▶ 0:41:48Since last December, my home state of Iowa has answered the call to serve. And tragically, on December 13th, Iowa National Guardsman Sergeant William Nate Howard and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres Tovar lost their lives in service in Syria. On March 1st, in an Iranian strike in Kuwait, they claimed the lives of six more brave Ians who were serving with De Moines's own 103rd Sustainment Command.
▶ 0:42:13And most recently this month on June 15th, Major Brad Hoover uh who was born in Alona, Iowa, lost his life in the crash of a B-52 bomber. As a nation, we know the heartbreaking loss of a brother or sister in arms on the battlefield. That's why it's equally tragic when a fallen hero is denied a proper dignified burial right here at home after stepping up to serve our You'll note I speak specifically in honor of Joseph Chedester.
▶ 0:42:43He was a Union Civil War veteran who died nearly a hundred years ago. And in my home state of Iowa, we served at a higher proportion than any other state in the Union when going and sending young men who left the plow behind or young women who left one room schoolhouses to help bring our country back together. But in this case, Joseph put his life on the line in one of the most consequential wars in American history.
▶ 0:43:05And yet after his death in 1929, no family member came forward to bury or claim his remains, leaving him forgotten for over a century. A few years ago, I had the honor of joining families across Iowa to lay Joseph to rest in his long overdue memorial service. You can see that exact photo behind me and the leaders who made that happen. This was possible through the work of Final Salute, a nonprofit in Iowa that dedicates their time to ensuring that no unclaimed remain goes without a final resting place.
▶ 0:43:35The team at Final Salute doesn't just show up for the burial, they do the really heavy lifting. They started by digging through thousands of records, coordinating with funeral homes, and most importantly, learning about each veteran's story, all of which allowed them a final reunion. and Joseph finally met his greatg granddaughter, a third generation American living right here in Washington DC.
▶ 0:43:57Since 2018, the final salute has stepped up to secure dignified burials like this for more than a hundred veterans and their spouses right in my home state of Iowa alone. I'm so proud to join leaders like Len Sover from Iowa who's helped lead this with the National Funeral Directors But this need stretches far beyond just Iowa. In 2023 alone, the Veterans Administration reported that more than 20,000 veterans nationwide went unclaimed. Americans who served their country with no one left to lay them to rest.
▶ 0:44:28My bill, HR 9321, the Unclaimed Veterans Legacy Grant Program Act, would help nonprofits like Final Salute carry out this costly, laborintensive, and most importantly, deeply personal work. It does this by allowing the VA secretary to field a new type of grant under the Veterans Legacy Grant Program so that nonprofits like Final Salute have the resources necessary to locate, identify unclaimed veterans remains and make sure they do this at no cost to the taxpayer. When our service members take the oath, they promise to leave no man behind on the battlefield.
▶ 0:44:58You, sir, led in taking this oath with your service, as did I. I believe today we have an opportunity to make sure that our service members are rightfully honored and that our promise to them shouldn't just expire because they've been laid on the shelf for too long. I urge my colleagues on both sides and I thank my bill sponsors on both sides for their leadership on this. I yield back the remainder of my time and ask for their
▶ 0:45:22Thank you, Mr. Nun. I'd like [clears throat] to thank everybody for their testimony and advocacy. On behalf of our veterans, everyone is excused, although members are welcome to remain and participate in the later portions of today's hearing. I would like to now invite our second panel of witnesses to the table, please. Miss Witter, you're there. You go.
▶ 0:45:59Mr. L, how are you?
▶ 0:46:01Well, sir, how are you?
▶ 0:46:02I'm doing well today. Everyone ready? All right. Thank you. I would like to introduce our witnesses, Mr. Cole Lyle, national director of legislative affairs of the of the American Legion, and Miss Leslie Whitter, senior vice president of advocacy for our National Funeral Directors Association. Good to see you both again.
▶ 0:46:31Uh I ask that both of you please stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to provide is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you, God. Thank you. Let the record reflect that all witnesses answered in the affirmative. Mr. La, you're now recognized for 5 minutes to present your
▶ 0:46:53Well, thank you, Chairman Latrell, Ranking Member McGarvey, and distinguished members of the subcommittee. On behalf of National Commander Dan K. Wy, and more than 1.5 million duespaying members of the American Legion, thank you for the opportunity to appear today. For over 107 years, the American Legion has been guided by voices of veterans from all posts to shape a resolution-based approach that reflects the lived experience of those who have served.
▶ 0:47:17The legislation before us today reflects core commitments protecting the integrity of earned disability compensation against inflation, ensuring efficient claims process for those in need, and honoring every veteran with dignity in life and death. The American Legion supports the majority of these measures because they directly or indirectly advance the priorities set by our membership. We strongly support HR 8552, the Veterans Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2026.
▶ 0:47:45Many of our disabled veteran survivors and dependents lived on fixed incomes. Allowing their compensation to keep pace with inflation and rising cost is simply the right thing to do. We take no position on HR8767, the compensation fund recrediting act, as its provisions fall outside the scope of established resolutions. That said, we urge the committee to ensure that no veteran who has earned these benefits is left uncompensated.
▶ 0:48:12We fully support HR 90006, the locating our unclaimed veterans act. Identifying, returning home, and providing dignified burial for unclaimed veterans remains a top priority for the American Legion. We welcome efforts to improve efficiency through better uh information sharing across VA and other agencies.
▶ 0:48:31We support the concept of a centralized tracking portal, but we ask you to work with VA to improve the bill's implementation if passed, particularly clarifying uh necessary inter agency agreements, IT feasibility, timeliness, and funding. The American Legion supports with amendments HR6588, the priority response for veterans impacted by disasters and emergencies act.
▶ 0:48:54At the post level, we have seen firsthand how disasters devastate veterans, especially when they must relocate or lose critical documents. Giving priority processing to affected claims is meaningful improvement. However, the eligibility language should be broad enough to avoid unintentionally excluding other groups of veterans. We also urge consideration of how VA or third party contractors can conduct disability examinations in or near disaster zones.
▶ 0:49:23Finally, we remain concerned that expediting a claim could compound harm if the veteran if the outcome reduces a veteran's rating. We support HR6921, the Hawaii National Cemetery Act. The final wishes of a veteran must be the highest priority. An additional National Cemetery in Hawaii will help ensure that Hawaiian veterans can be laid to rest with dignity and in accordance with their desires. We also support the discussion draft establishing the Unclaimed Veterans Legacy Grant Program.
▶ 0:49:52For years, American Legion posts and volunteers have helped perform this sacred work largely through donations and personal resolve. The Veterans Legacy program was designed to support such community efforts, and Congress should ensure these organizations receive the funding and resources they need to continue this mission efficiently. Our full written testimony has been submitted for the record.
▶ 0:50:12The American Legion stands ready to work with the committee, VA, and our fellow stakeholders to refine these proposals so they deliver the strongest possible outcomes for veterans and families who rely on VA every day. I want to thank both of you for your leadership and for this [snorts] opportunity to testify. I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:50:33Thank you, Mr. L. Your testimony has been entered into the record. Miss Wter, you're now recognized for five minutes. Good afternoon, Chairman Lutrell, Ranking Member McGarvey, and members of the subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today in support of several bills that strengthen and honor how we care for our veterans and their families.
▶ 0:50:57I'm Leslie Witter, senior vice president of advocacy at the National Funeral Directors Association, representing nearly 20,000 funeral directors and inbalmers who see firsthand how public policy affects veterans and their families. Because we work with families directly with families, we see where systems work and where more coordination is needed. Today, I will focus on NFDA support for three bills.
▶ 0:51:25the Locating Our Unclaimed Veterans Act, the Hawaii National Cemetery Act, and the Unclaimed Veterans Legacy Grant Program. Together, these bills advance a common principle. No veteran should be forgotten. No family should be denied earned mean earned access to benefits. And every veteran deserves a dignified resting place. Mr.
▶ 0:51:49Chairman, NFDA strongly supports 9 HR9006, the locating or unclaimed veterans act. When a veteran's remains go unclaimed or unidentified, funeral directors are often amongst the first to engage. The challenge is not effort. The challenge is the lack of a coordinated system to connect information across agencies to help locate next of kin.
▶ 0:52:17This bill creates a centralized VA system to receive and evaluate information on unclaimed remains from coroners, state agencies, and funeral homes. That coordination reflects how these cases occur in practice and speeds up the ability to identify veterans and notify their families. And for families, time matters. It determines whether they can participate in final arrangements and honor their loved ones service.
▶ 0:52:47So NFDA strongly supports this legislation and urges its passage. NFDA also supports the Hawaii National Cemetery Act for families. Burial access is not an abstract policy policy issue. It directly shapes decisions during grief. In Hawaii, limited cemetery access and travel burdens can make it difficult for families to actually use the earned benefit.
▶ 0:53:16Our 2024 survey found that more than 80% of funeral professionals report families have to pay additional transportation costs beyond the VA burial benefit. And nearly half report that distance has prevented burial in veteran cemeteries. So these are meaningful barriers that can determine whether a veteran receives burial in a national cemetery at all.
▶ 0:53:41A new national cemetery in Hawaii would improve access, equity, and dignity in veterans burial benefits. So NFDA supports this legislation and urges its passage. NFDA also supports HR 9221, the Unclaimed Veterans Legacy Grant Program Act. Across the country, funeral directors and community partners donate time and resources to ensure unclaimed veterans receive dignified final arrangements.
▶ 0:54:11Our 2024 survey shows more than 40% of funeral homes have provided services for unclaimed veterans in the last 5 years. This legislation strengthens VA support for organ organizations doing this work by allowing grant funding to assist in locating and identifying unclaimed Together, these bills reaffirm a simple promise. No veterans service will be forgotten and no veteran sacrifice will go unrecognized.
▶ 0:54:42NFDA respectfully urges the subcommittee to advance all three bills to the full committee and recommends favorable consideration by the House. On behalf of funeral directors across the country, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I welcome any questions from the
▶ 0:54:59Miss Witter's testimony will be entered into the record. How many Miss Witter? How many have [snorts] you been? Let's see here. the best way to answer this question. As far as building out a national cemetery in Hawaii, I lived in Hawaii for a while. I mean, I know how patriotic they are, not only for the United States, but for for where they're from.
▶ 0:55:28I can only imagine the challenges of Have you been involved in the creation of this national cemetery in any way inside the United States,
▶ 0:55:38Mr. Chairman? That's a great question. I have not. Luckily, that falls outside of my purview. That would be the VA. I've I
▶ 0:55:45was curious if any organizations, Mr. While, you can jump in on this one, too, have had conversations while this has been pushed,
▶ 0:55:55sir. Not that I'm I personally have not. Um, and I I am not aware of any conversations, but I can take that for the record and and get back with you on on any conversations that I know we have been involved in with the VA and creation of national cemeteries before. Um, but for this one, I'm not aware that that we've had that conversation.
▶ 0:56:13Do either one of your organizations I'm going to I'm going to combine to as far as the remains of a veterans that have we have identified, do either one of your organizations move by with and through the VA to have them moved to a their final resting place?
▶ 0:56:31Yes. So, um, NFDA works very closely with the VA and we actually have access. So, anytime we have unclaimed remains, we have a special line we can call. We work directly with um, NCA on on locating those veterans and then working through the process.
▶ 0:56:47We have of our 20,000 members, a lot of those members will have um funerals in the lo in local funerals for for unclaimed domains or they'll get together and some of our state associations will bring a lot of veterans from around the state and they'll have ceremonies. Um so there's a lot of groups out there trying to do it, but you have to go through the VA. You have to get all the paperwork.
▶ 0:57:11Is it okay? Is that and it most likely will be. This might be a rhetorical question, but is it overly challenging to engage with the VA from your perspective to to have that happen effectively and efficiently?
▶ 0:57:24I will say that working with this committee and working with the VA, the process has gotten a lot better. I would say probably a few years ago there were a lot of complaints about it, but the VA has gone out of their way to help educate both veterans and people on end of life side to educate them about the benefits. So, I would say that it's improving. It has been improved. Communication [snorts] with the VA and end of life providers has been has been
▶ 0:57:49In my opinion, the new secretary is doing a a great job.
▶ 0:57:53Yes, sir. I'd agree with you. Mr. McGarvey.
▶ 0:58:01Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you all for being here today. Mr. L, I want to start with you. First of all, thank you for your continued service. We appreciate you being here. Um, I want to go to something I was looking at in your written testimony just now. Uh you wrote that moving a veteran's claim to the front of the line after natural disaster. Talking about, you know, what what's happening with veterans after natural disasters actually compounds the harm if the VA ends up ruling against that veteran and lowering their rating. Can you walk us through that a little bit?
▶ 0:58:29Well, thank you for the question, sir. I I think the um the possibility of a veteran in a natural disaster area. I was in Texas last year after the floods in Kurville, the Palisades, you know, um if if you if a veteran uh who is already raided um has another claim that they submit to the VA um and a a separate claim that is already awarded is revisited and potentially lowered as a result of the the context of
▶ 0:59:00the situation that they're in. Um I think that's what we were alluding to in that particular statement.
▶ 0:59:05Yeah. and and especially like you said, natural disasters, which in my state of Kentucky are are happening it seems like with increasing frequency, flooding, tornadoes, all that sort of thing. Um, break that down for us in real world terms. You know, one of the things that Mr. Chairman and I hear, we don't love like we call it government speak and we're talking about claims. Break it down for somebody who who's not as familiar with this. What does this look like for a veteran and their family?
▶ 0:59:30Well, sir, I can certainly take it for the record and give you specific examples of of when that has occurred. Um, off the top of my head, I can't think of a specific example for you. Um, but other than to say or reiterate what I already said about um, already awarded claims being revisited,
▶ 0:59:47but and are you are you almost saying that the VA would have to be able to predict ahead of time which claims are likely to be granted or denied in this type of instance? Well, I think um for feasibility of implementation for for this particular bill, um we would obviously prefer like a fully developed claim that doesn't require a new examination or re-examination.
▶ 1:00:10Um, but in the instance that it did require a new examination or re-examination either through the VA or a third party contractor, um, that the risk is I think what we're trying to highlight of of a reduction in a particular claim that's not associated with the new claim that they're making.
▶ 1:00:25Got it. And and sticking with that a little bit is like just this idea of the VA lowering ratings. Um, help me understand this a little bit more. How does something like that actually happen and what does it look like for the veterans who go through it when this rating gets lowered? Uh well, if a again if a if a veteran has an existing rating for um you know a a knee injury or a back injury or
▶ 1:00:47sleep apnea sleep
▶ 1:00:49throw it out there man it's a metaphor
▶ 1:00:52tonight sleep apnea. Yeah we'll go with it. Yeah. Yeah.
▶ 1:00:54Yeah. So, uh there there's there is always the potential uh when when somebody submits a claim for an increase in a particular rating um or for a claim in another rating when a veteran goes through the CMP examination process and the DBQ um is uh completed and reconsidered. The VA can can use that based on the new examination.
▶ 1:01:18In some cases, it's not overly prevalent, but in in in some cases, they can use the new examinations to uh reduce an existing
▶ 1:01:27Okay. Um, thank you for that, Miss Wood. I'm going to switch to you really quickly in the time we've got left. Um, want to get your read on how the relationship between the national funeral directors and NCA is going. Uh, does communication between your members and the agency work the way it should? Uh, and how much how much interaction are your members having with NCA when it comes to unclaimed remains? So, a lot a lot when it comes to unclaimed remains. Um, actually NCA is going to be one of at our annual convention.
▶ 1:01:55Um, NCA is going to come and they're actually going to speak to our members. So, we'll have about 6,000 members there on site and they're specifically coming because of a conversation we had at this um subcommittee. They're going to come and talk to our members and help educate them. I'm frequently in touch with NCA. In fact, I'm in touch with all three agencies at the VA that deal with funeral benefits. Yeah.
▶ 1:02:16Good. And and what's the biggest hurdle your members run into when they're dealing with unclaimed remains that may belong to a veteran?
▶ 1:02:24Yeah. So, um things like the DD DD 213
▶ 1:02:2914 I got close
▶ 1:02:32214. He knew. [laughter] Um things like the DD214. Um there there's a long process. Funeral directors don't want to give away remains if there's a chance that a loved one is going to come and ask for them. So, they're very very protective of that, but it can sometimes, you know, you have to do a lot of research. You have to make sure that all the paperwork's in place, but but there's a process in place for people to do that.
▶ 1:02:57Got it. Thank you, Miss W. And Mr. Chairman, I go back.
▶ 1:02:59Thank you, sir. Wait, you're recognized for five minutes. Talo Falaba. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chairman, Miss BA has stated that Hawaii uh, veterans are technically within its burial access standard.
▶ 1:03:25But your testimony raises real world concerns about geography, travel costs, and whether families can actually attend services or visit grave sites. From the perspective of funeral directors and families, does a mileage standard fully captured what access means in Hawaii?
▶ 1:03:45Thank you for that question. I don't think the VA is going to agree with my answer. I think I think Hawaii is a special location. and you have the pull punch mobile that's almost full. Um we we do have a national standard for veterans should be able to be buried within a certain distance of their home but in a case like Hawaii and particularly because the geography it's very hard to build a cemetery there.
▶ 1:04:08So in this case I think and when when you think about families not only are they paying for transportation to get to for the actual burial but then they're paying transportation each time they want to go visit the grave. So to me that seems like an unnecessary burden and that's why we support building another cemetery in Hawaii.
▶ 1:04:29So how do inter island travel cost and geography affect whether a family can realistically use the burial benefit their loved one earned? And uh for families making arrangements, is access just about whether a cemetery exists somewhere within a certain radius or is it about whether the family can meaningfully get there? I think meaningfully getting there is important.
▶ 1:04:55If if um you're talking about Virginia and Maryland, it's within the distance. So you could drive there or take a bus. It's not as hard as if you're going inter island in Hawaii. So, where would this uh additional cemetery be? Far from Punch
▶ 1:05:13So, I actually talked to members. I I called some members, some NFDA members in Hawaii and asked them about it and they love Punch Bowl. They think Punch Bowl is an amazing place and they talked about it with great reverence and I don't know where they're going to build it. Um, I think the next panel, the VA would have way more detail on that. We'd certainly be willing to help and give any guidance, but I don't know the actual location.
▶ 1:05:40Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I uh Well, let's see. What time do we have
▶ 1:05:47Okay, so let me ask Mr. Lyall something here. So, Mr. Lyall, from a veteran family's perspective, how important is it that burial benefits are not just technically available, but actually usable? And what should VA consider when applying national cemetery access standards to unique communities like
▶ 1:06:09Well, thank you for the question, Congresswoman. Uh, I think it's extremely important in um honoring the legacy and the memory of the service member. to your point, not just ensuring that the technical access to these benefits exist, but that they're easy to use uh and easy to understand instead of a kind of a disperate group of uh of benefits through VBA or VHA or VCA that they have to navigate in one of the most difficult time periods of their lives after
▶ 1:06:39they lose their service member. Um, I think obviously in the unique case of of Hawaii, uh, they have access to the the state veteran cemeteries, um, outside of Punch Bowl, but if if a family wants their service member to be buried at a national cemetery, um, they should have that access and and that right um, you know, in instances where it it should be meaningfully easy to travel to that location to honor their service member that they
▶ 1:07:09lost. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
▶ 1:07:16Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thanks to both of our witnesses here. Uh this is a big deal to do the right thing uh for a veteran and their family uh after their passing. So, um well, I know everybody on this committee, regardless of background, whether veterans or not, is committed to doing the right thing. Um, Miss Woodard, uh, the VA says Hawaii veterans are technically covered under its burial access standard.
▶ 1:07:46Your testimony says once you factor in geography and cost. does a mileage number actually tell us anything about whether a family can get to a service or a grave site in Hawaii?
▶ 1:08:04I would say no.
▶ 1:08:07so do me this. That's okay. Walk me through what inner island travel and cost really mean for a family trying to use a benefit their veteran earned.
▶ 1:08:18So geography isn't a technical issue. I mean, it can is a technical. It can determine whether a family can attend a service, whether they can visit a grave site, um, how close their loved one is, how often they get to go to the to visit them. If you're on a different island, that is obviously much harder.
▶ 1:08:39And that survey I referenced, the NFDA survey from 2024, um 46% of families said that distance actually prevented them from using a national cemetery. And that was in the contiguous. That wasn't in Hawaii. That was in in this, you know, the contiguous.
▶ 1:09:00So I I have to imagine that in Hawaii when you're island hopping and traveling to a different island, it's not the same as having your loved one buried in the same island as you.
▶ 1:09:10So uh set a different way, the normally the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but when you're island hopping or other geographical issues, it may not be a straight line. Okay. Uh so uh is this about a cemetery existing within some radius on a map or about whether a family can actually show
▶ 1:09:34I I I think it's about whether a family can show up. So what's the closest what's the closest um national cemetery outside of Hawaii? Is it on the west coast? Right. So you'd have to leave there and maybe go to
▶ 1:09:50bottom line is you you've just answered it. Yeah,
▶ 1:09:52it's it's not as simple as the the regulation or the idea of the 70 m or whatever it happens to be. That criteria may be fit in 80% of the cases, but some of the things we're trying to do here, we don't serve 80% of the veterans. We serve 100% of their families. Okay. So, uh Mr. Lyall, um the American Legion represents veterans in island and rural communities, and I would suggest you remote communities, too.
▶ 1:10:18even, you know, here in the continental United States, not just places with an interstate exit, you know, nearby. Does a flat mileage standard tell us anything real about whether a family can get to a burial
▶ 1:10:34No, is the short answer to that question. I think uh as you as you see in any number of areas, not just this one, u when you're discussing getting to a VA appointment or or an exam or something like that, the this the straight line, the amount of mileage they have to to drive there doesn't reflect the the true cost and time, energy, effort uh to to get that benefit from VA, whether it's it's burial or not.
▶ 1:11:01and and in the uh case of a burial, I would argue that it is uh more important um than a lot of other things to be able to have that easy access again to honor the legacy and the memory and make sure that that that um that that loved one is being honored correctly. So, uh, and I'm I've only got a few seconds left here, but, um, so to put to kind of reinterpret, um, your words, uh, it's one thing to have a benefit available.
▶ 1:11:30It's another thing to have it, you can actually utilize it. And that's what we're trying to ensure that all of the families can utilize the benefit that their loved one had earned,
▶ 1:11:42through through their service. So, with that, thank you very much both of you for your your diligence and your testimony. And, Mr. Chairman, I yield
▶ 1:11:49Thank you, General M. Mr. Law. You're now excused. Thank you for your testimony.
▶ 1:11:54Thank you, sir.
▶ 1:11:54Thank you. The third panel may be seated.
▶ 1:12:39Miss Moses, how are you today?
▶ 1:12:42I'm well. How are you, sir?
▶ 1:12:43See you.
▶ 1:12:44Bowers, how are you?
▶ 1:12:48Excellent, sir.
▶ 1:12:48Good. Thank you for coming to see us Let we'll ready. The lead witnesses for the VA today is Mr. Glenn Powers, deputy under secretary for field programs and cemetery operations at the National Cemetery Administrations and Miss P I'm Mr.
▶ 1:13:13Powers is accompanied by Miss Joselyn Moses, senior principal adviser of compensation services at the Veterans Benefit Administration. And I ask that you both stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to provide is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you God. Thank you. And let the record reflect that all witnesses have answered in the affirmative. Mr. Powers, sir, you are now recognized for five minutes to present the department's testimony.
▶ 1:13:42Good afternoon, Chairman Latrell, Ranking Member McGarvey, and members of the subcommittee. Thank you for the opportunity to present the Department of Veterans Affairs views on several bills affecting veterans and their families. I am joined by Miss Joselyn Moses, senior principal adviser, compensation service, Veterans Benefits Administration. Regarding HR8552, the Veterans Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment Act of 2026, VA supports this bill.
▶ 1:14:09It would ensure that disability compensation, dependency, and indemnity compensation, clothing allowances, and related benefits keep pace with inflation. The legislation reflects the nation's commitment to veterans and survivors by preserving the value of earned benefits. Regarding HR6588, the provide act. VA has concerns with this bill as drafted. We appreciate the intent to assist veterans affected by major disasters.
▶ 1:14:35VA already maintains multiple priority processing categories, including veterans experiencing homelessness, terminal illness, financial hardship, advanced age, and other qualifying circumstances. Many disasteraffected veterans may already qualify under existing authorities.
▶ 1:14:51VA is concerned that creating a separate disaster specific framework with unique evidentiary standards and filing requirements could create inequities among among prior categories and complicate cr claims HR6921, the Hawaii National Cemetery Act. VA does not support this bill.
▶ 1:15:13Hawaiian veterans currently have full access to burial options through one national cemetery and eight VA grant-f funded state veteran cemeteries. 100% of Hawaii veterans reside within VA's burial access standard. The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific remains operational with planned capacity extensions to the year 2049, while state veteran cemeteries continue to provide long-term burial capacity throughout the islands.
▶ 1:15:42Given competing priorities and unmet burial access needs in other regions of the country, VA believes resources are best directed towards areas currently lacking access. HR 8767, the compensation fund recrediting act. VA supports the intent of the bill subject to amendments. Establishing a sunset a sunset date for the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund would close an appropriations account that has completed its intended purpose.
▶ 1:16:11VA has no objection to the proposed sunset sunset date of January 1st, 2027. Additional technical amendments are also recommended to avoid unintended consequences. HR9006, the locating our unclaimed veterans act. VA supports this bill subject to amendments and available appropriations. A centralized information system may improve coordination with stakeholders and enhance efforts to identify and honor unclaimed veterans.
▶ 1:16:41However, implement implementation would require significant IT development inter agency agreements and resources. VA recommends additional time and statutory flexibility to ensure successful execution and the opportunity to continue utilization of the system if it is successful. HR 9321, the Unclaims Veterans Legacy Grant Program Act. VA does not support the draft bill.
▶ 1:17:08The Veterans Legacy Program was established to support memorialization, education, and historical interpretation activities related to veterans interred in National, State, and Tribal Veteran Cemetery. Repurposing the program to conduct operational activities related to unclaimed veterans would expand the program beyond its intended mission and could diminish its core educational objectives.
▶ 1:17:33VA remains committed to honoring unclaimed veterans through existing authorities and partnerships but does not support using the veterans legacy program for this purpose. In summary, VA supports efforts that strengthen service services to veterans and their families while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and effective program administration.
▶ 1:17:56We look forward to continuing our partnership with Congress to improve benefits, memorial services, and support for veterans and their families. This concludes my statement. I would be pleased to answer any questions the subcommittee may have
▶ 1:18:11on the provide act. dig in a little deeper for me, Mr. Pars. Why is the VA against it?
▶ 1:18:21I will go ahead and pass this to Miss Moses if permitted, sir.
▶ 1:18:27So, thank you very much for that question, sir. So, in regards to the provide act, uh we do have some concerns. Uh the first concern is in regards to the priorities. So our existing priority claims processing categories is more comprehensive than the what is already listed.
▶ 1:18:45Our existing VA um priorities include homelessness, uh terminally ill, financial hardship, survivors of uh former P, those over 85, SIVS, ALS, um FP, Medal of Honor, and Purple Heart recipients. And so we would not want to exclude any of those categories. Our second concern is in respect to the fully developed claims being included.
▶ 1:19:10Uh so VA has worked uh very hard to remove the burden on the veteran to have to submit um additional evidence or to submit their full claim. Our position has been just come and bring us your claim. um with in the last uh year or so, definitely since January 2025, um we have seen that our average days to complete rating claims has been reduced significantly.
▶ 1:19:36Previously, a veteran had to submit a fully developed claim in order to receive a decision in less than 125 days. Now as a result of the dedicated and hardworking claims processors within uh the the regional office and our leadership our average rating claims are being completed in 78 Our third concern in regards to the um provides act is in regards to um the category for the major disasters.
▶ 1:20:06Um, we believe that many of the individuals who are experiencing major disasters or have experienced the major disasters will already fall under VA's existing priorities. Furthermore, they may be unable to attend examinations and VA has flexibilities already in place. For example, claimants have up to one year to provide or submit additional evidence in order to perfect their claim.
▶ 1:20:33We allow extensions when it is shown that for good cause and the veteran has the opportunity to file or submit an intent to file um claim when they are ready to submit a placeholder.
▶ 1:20:48Was there a list submitted to the vet the VA as far as natural disaster? I would just kind of call it add-ons that you're uncomfortable with. We would be happy to work with the committee to understand better what specific disasters or um what is missing from our existing list um that you feel is not included with it within our existing
▶ 1:21:14Is there any way we can Mr. Perez, I'm going to come back to you, Miss Moses, give me some grace here, please. Is there any way we can do all this before we show up in committee and you sit in front of us and say we do not like this instead of because now I'm just going to argue with you because our constituents showed up with these issues and you have members on the dis today that's not they're not even currently a VA on the VA committee. Okay.
▶ 1:21:39So, we're giving you this and then after we unpack the entire suitcase, we have to sit here and you tell us that you totally disagree with it when I think it would be more beneficial if you showed up and you said, "Hey, we've already spoken about this. We're going to move forward and the decisions have been made." Can we do that, Mr. Powers or Miss Moses? I I don't know if I should go back to you at uh
▶ 1:22:02So, yes, I do think that we can do this. I think we look forward to working with your staff so that we can get to a good place where we can fully support this
▶ 1:22:09The ranking member and I most likely 100% agree on this. There we go. Um, so moving forward, if we could just if correspond back and forth, engage staff to staff, uh, and we can work out these finite details. That way you don't have to sit in front of the front of the members and answer questions you don't necessarily have the answers to. Fair
▶ 1:22:31That works. Thank you. 9321. Mr. Powers unclaimed veterans was the VA is against that one. Correct. Oh, that that's correct, sir. We don't support that bill because of the the change in purpose that it it puts on our legacy grant program. Okay.
▶ 1:23:00That showed up here for a reason. and we sent that over to the VA for a reason. Now, your response to me is we have something in place that's So, my argument is I don't think that's working well enough if we've submitted this to you. Okay.
▶ 1:23:22Yes, sir.
▶ 1:23:22That was a question.
▶ 1:23:24Okay. So, the unclaimed veterans remains program.
▶ 1:23:30Yes. Like if we have to submit a piece of legislation out of this committee that touches a current piece of that touches the VA in a way that the VA currently has this in place is what you're saying. Correct.
▶ 1:23:46and you disagree with this legislation because you say we're already doing it.
▶ 1:23:50We primarily disagree with this legislation because of its repurposing of the Veterans Legacy Grant Program.
▶ 1:23:57And you think it's in the spot that it should be? the unclaimed veterans serving unclaimed veterans programs. And we saw this u the presentation from the congressman on Iowa and the Civil War veterans.
▶ 1:24:12Um I think we
▶ 1:24:14one that he just showed us while we were all sitting in here.
▶ 1:24:16Yes. Okay.
▶ 1:24:17Make sure we're on the same page.
▶ 1:24:19We we we work closely in VA. first of all was a lot more collaboration and I I appreciate Miss Witter acknowledging the um the improvements that the VA has made in serving unclaimed veterans. We buried in the national and state cemeteries uh last year and the the last three years approximately 2300 unclaimed veterans.
▶ 1:24:47We work with volunteer organizations throughout the country that bring us these unclaimed remains. As she said, she has a hotline to us. She knows how to get to us to solve the problems with with, you know, is is this a veteran? Is this a veteran who qualifies to be buried in in a national cemetery or or state veteran cemetery. We have people within the national cemetery administration devoted to it.
▶ 1:25:10The Veterans Benefits Administration at re each regional office has an in indigent veteran and unclaimed remains coordinator and we put more processes in effect for them to work with unclaimed veterans remains. Um our VHA system because many folks
▶ 1:25:27So where's the miss? We're missing something. If Representative Nun came in here with this to work this legislation all the way up to committee to send it over to VA to have you sitting here in front of us today or absent something. What I think you're indicating there's a myth to why we're we're denying it to be part of this bill to give a grant program for
▶ 1:25:55the reason that we're trying to shift it over to this because the program that currently exists isn't working We work every day with communities across the country.
▶ 1:26:04I'm not saying that you don't.
▶ 1:26:07I know that you do.
▶ 1:26:08Part of there's it's it's a it's a complex situation. Miss Whit actually mentioned it. Part part of it is the funeral director's reluctances to get to let go of the remains. There's liabilities involved. State laws in each each in each state.
▶ 1:26:26I'm three minutes over. Okay. Well, I'll circle back in round two, Mr. McGarvey.
▶ 1:26:30I'm gonna pick up right where you left off, Mr. Chairman, and appreciate uh [clears throat] you and what you're doing. Obviously, do agree with you. These things are so much better when we alert you all to a problem, we introduce legislation about a problem, you know, there's a problem, and then it's so much better if you can talk to us before you you're sitting right there on the deis. Um, I'm just going to ask you to I think get to the heart of what you were saying, Mr.
▶ 1:26:56chairman and and feel free to even jump What do you think the core mission of the Veterans Legacy Program is?
▶ 1:27:06The core the core mission of the Veterans Legacy Program right now
▶ 1:27:11is is is education and and in and and helping people understand the service and sacrifice of veterans. We use that program and the grant money that we administer through that program to tell or or let me to help um students focused on K through2.
▶ 1:27:33We do work on the universities to teach others to work with K through2 students to understand uh the legacies of veterans particularly in their community and particularly in those communities where they have access to a national cemetery or state veteran cemetery. And I think what we've heard from Mr. Nun and the chairman is that the program as it exists today isn't doing actually enough for the unclaimed remains of our veterans.
▶ 1:28:01But as you see it is the legislation that we're introducing is it expanding or stretching your current mission from what it what it is today?
▶ 1:28:12That that is what we're arguing. It's it's it's the placement in in that the grant prologue's placement is what why we do not support the draft.
▶ 1:28:22So okay and sometimes chairman I I never want to speak for him get a little frustrated in this committee when we get into what we call government speak and especially bureaucracy. You just said you don't like the placement of it here. So there's a problem. there's a problem impacting our veterans and particularly our veterans who gave who paid the ultimate sacrifice, right? The ultimate price that we have agreement on this committee we want to do something about.
▶ 1:28:50So, [clears throat] is it a funding problem? Do you think it needs to go somewhere else? Do you agree that there is a problem with getting all of the remains where they need to Sorry. Do you agree there's a problem with where all the remains getting the remains where they need to be? We can there's a there's a problem because we know that there are remains unclaimed remains.
▶ 1:29:15Okay. Good.
▶ 1:29:16In in in throughout the country and and they are hidden in and and and and you have to get to them. And that's why as as Miss Witter testified, we we we've made the improvements. We've done the collaboration within the VA to get better at it. and and and and we have been but that obviously we have to get better and better at it.
▶ 1:29:39As a as a matter of fact, you know, one of there's another unclaimed remains bill on the docket and you know we we support we definitely support the intent of that subject to a little bit of amendment and appropriation and the discussion that it you know I agree we we we should work with you to to fix
▶ 1:29:58let's unpack that just a little bit. A lot of words just happened.
▶ 1:30:01Yes sir. which are there's a problem, we support the intent, and then you said some like, you know, I once worked with an attorney who who I said, "Oh, that's just boilerplate language." And he said, "You're looking at this wrong." Boilerplate is the language that's so important. It has to be in every contract, right? And he just said, "Subject to a little amendment and some appropriation and glossed over that when that's a really big part of what we do. We agree there's a problem.
▶ 1:30:32There is no disagreement on either side of this deis about the fact we need to make this problem better. We have legislation that we want to do that but obviously we want it to work. How do you think we should best do that and what type of appropriation or a amendment as you called it should we put in this legislation to make sure that all of the unclaimed veterans remains are going where they need to go? Um,
▶ 1:31:00since you don't
▶ 1:31:00Thank you.
▶ 1:31:01since you don't like this one.
▶ 1:31:03Thank I'm sorry, ranking member.
▶ 1:31:04Since you don't like this one.
▶ 1:31:07Just just just just to be clear, ranking member, when you know, subject to amendment appropriations, what I was saying, the locating our unclaimed veterans act.
▶ 1:31:16Is is is is we support the bill with some amendments and some appropriation because, as I said, that's the that's the problem, the location. Um,
▶ 1:31:26what amendments and what appropriations?
▶ 1:31:30We we would have to we would we we would love to work with the subcommittee on that and and and and Yeah. Yeah.
▶ 1:31:40We understand exactly why it should have been handled before you showed up because these are the questions that are going to come down range at you
▶ 1:31:48because we want this.
▶ 1:31:50Our veterans want this. They're the ones asking for it. All right. So, we expect that the VA If they walk into our committee to disagree with what we've submitted, you better be loaded for bear because we're going to ask you why. And we will be waiting on the amendment of the appropriations of where you think this should land.
▶ 1:32:12Because you admit there's a problem. We
▶ 1:32:14we we we we should be focused on finding unclaimed remains veterans to make sure that they and we and we know that they're they're they we need to we need to continue to work on that that and we we continue to focus on and improving that and and we've had some major improvements on that. But we're we we are not done.
▶ 1:32:36We just mentioned, you know, in the in the full testimony, we mentioned, you know, it's actually I see it less as collaboration between VBA, VHA, and NCA and a lot of inter agency work, you know, wi with other agencies outside the VA, which can help us support us on that.
▶ 1:32:56Well, I'm I'm over time, Mr. Mr. Chairman, but I do want to point out we agree there's a problem and it's a problem that impacts our veterans and their families. And on this committee, we want to solve problems that impact our veterans and their families. And so, you said a few things that make me nervous. I get some red flags popping up here because we've sat in these chairs and we've listened to you all sitting in those chairs. and you say things like when you said we will continue to work on this for me.
▶ 1:33:26I want more specifics. I want deadlines. We need answers to this. We have legislation that we're going to send your way. Uh because there's a problem, we want to solve it. And so, you know, I hope that during this hearing and something come out of this, Mr. Chairman, is how we're going to work on this, when we can expect to have that information, and how we can get this to y'all as soon as possible to make these problems better for our veterans. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 1:33:55Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Mr. Powers. So, VA also states that other regions of the country remain unserved under current burial access standards. How does VA balance unmet access needs elsewhere with the unique access challenges in Hawaii? And is VA open to working the this may have been asked in another with different words.
▶ 1:34:22Is VA open to working with the committee on a report or planning requirement short of immediately establishing a new cemetery?
▶ 1:34:31We we are certainly open to working with the subcommittee. We we we work with them often. Um to your first question, I think ba balancing between the uh burial access standards in Hawaii and and uh on the mainland. Um we have areas of the continental United States that are not served. The veterans in in those areas are not served as well as Hawaii according to our burial access standards.
▶ 1:35:02Um, in in in some of the prior testimony, we talked about inter island flights. The veterans the state veteran cemeteries are on all the major islands of Hawaii um including Makai and Lai. So there is, you know, for there is no inter island flight necessary to be buried in a veteran cemetery.
▶ 1:35:26and our burial access standards equate a state veteran cemetery which we work directly with the you know Hawaii veteran services. We've given them close to $50 million of grants over the years um in order to build those cemeteries and to expand them when ne when necessary.
▶ 1:35:47when a the the first East Hawaii on the Big Island, the first Hilo Cemetery closed because it no longer had space, we gave grants to open another one. We will continue to do that to serve the veterans in Hawaii and that's our focus.
▶ 1:36:05So, we in my home district of American Samuel, we are taking a look at uh possibility of a veteran cemetery. We don't have one. We have very little land and we're very stingy with our land. So, but we may have some land opening up just for the veteran cemetery. Some kind person. Anyway, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back balance of my time.
▶ 1:36:33Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, Mr. powers. Uh VA opposes HR6921 because on paper 100% of Hawaii's veterans fall within the 75 mile standard. Now, I know that you just talked about the state cemeteries and and all of that.
▶ 1:36:56Um how does VA account for Hawaii's unique geography when applying the standard? Let's say those state cemeteries didn't exist or there was a different need. Would we create a try to create a new one based on the old standard?
▶ 1:37:21Thank you for the question. Um, if this if if the state cemeteries in Hawaii didn't exist.
▶ 1:37:30Well, what I just heard you say was what what I interpreted your words were was that, you know, you didn't have to island hop to go to a cemetery because there were state cemeteries on the on all islands. Did I get that
▶ 1:37:43Yeah, we state cemeteries on all the the the main island. So, is that is that
▶ 1:37:50is that is that a reason or excuse? Again, I'm trying to figure out in a lot of ways the standards we use. I mean, this committee can only do so much, but the one thing we can do is we can utilize the standards that exist so that we can all agree that there is this Is it the right standard going forward?
▶ 1:38:13Or we do do we do we need to treat it like a bell curve where it's an 80% norm of a standard but with 20% room for for modifications or you know because the problem doesn't fit the model if that makes sense.
▶ 1:38:34Well, we I think I understand. Um I mean we we work with all the states um that are interested and and the ter and the territories because we we have
▶ 1:38:45So could we uh build a case where in the future let's and make up pick up your part of the the country that um the again I'm going back to the 70 mile rule and all of this the straight Can we say with confidence that the VA would look at unique circumstances around the country, let's say it's just within the continental United States, forget about Hawaii for a second,
▶ 1:39:15that we could say now this 70 mile won't work here because of pick your reason why. rather than having the VA say no doesn't meet the doesn't meet the criteria the standard as it is written because we can't modify. Does that make any sense?
▶ 1:39:34I I I I think it does and you know maybe one of the things I can describe is certainly there's there there was during during this hearing there's already been discussion it's a it's a straight line standard. to um you know that's obviously you know a simplification of what the geography you know and what
▶ 1:39:54an o an oversimplification in some cases because the straight line if you were driving a car let's say for example that straight line involved going over a
▶ 1:40:03Yes sir.
▶ 1:40:03That car isn't going over the lake. It's going to go over a bridge somewhere. It's going to go around somewhere to get to that and meet that 70 mile.
▶ 1:40:10Yes. Yes it yes it does. and and and and many of the states, you know, have um you know, obviously say, you know, discussed that when they talk about whether their populations are served and when I say the states, I mean the state governments, they say, well, we we would like to put a cemetery in this location, even though technically these individuals are served. So if the state says that then they look at it, will the VA do what you do and
▶ 1:40:40and I I we we are very um since the the National Cemetery Administration was given $150 million million dollars last year by Congress to build state cemeteries. And we those some of those states that were prioritized a little bit lower were able to if they were ready get get those cemeteries in position.
▶ 1:41:03And I I'll mention just, you know, those individuals who thought that they were, you know, maybe they were technically served by us by that simplified model. They said, "Well, we'd still like to build a cemetery in in in Huntsville, Alabama or Augusta, Georgia." And thanks to the resources that Congress provided, we were able to do it. So, going back to the Hawaii we have a state cemetery on each island.
▶ 1:41:32So the reason we one of the reason we don't support the bill is the resources can be better used for those pockets of the continental United States where veterans are underserved and we think that that should be
▶ 1:41:46I appreciate and I appreciate this dialogue because uh this is now part of the the congressional record so we can both both our committee and you all can reference our hearing here today as we had the you know the dialogue back and forth is about what creates a natural exception. What is the, if you will, the roles and responsibilities of the federal government through the Veterans Administration, the roles and responsibilities of the state governments through their legislators in working through that.
▶ 1:42:15With that, I appreciate it, Mr. Chairman. I yield Today's discussion covered compensation outreach, cemetery access, and efforts to honor veterans whose service might otherwise be forgotten. While these issues may be different, they all speak to the same responsibility, ensuring that VA follows through on promises made to our veterans.
▶ 1:42:45I appreciate thoughtful testimony we heard today, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues, veteran service organizations, and the department to advance solutions that better serve veterans and their families. I look forward to working through these issues with the department and my colleagues on a subcommittee. And I ask unanimous consent that the statements for the record we have received be entered into the hearing record. Hearing no objection, so ordered. And I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend the remarks and include extraneous material. Hearing no objection, so ordered.
▶ 1:43:14I thank the members and witnesses for their participation today. This hearing is And would everyone that is a veteran stay for a minute? Mr. Powers, Miss Moses, you're excused if you want to. I