Hearing: Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 3123, Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act; H.R. 3627, Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025; H.R. 3833, Veterans’ Caregiver Appeals Modernization Act of 2025; H.R. 3834, Protecting Veterans Claim Options Act; H.R. 3835, Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025; H.R. 3854, Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act; H.R. 3983 Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act of 2025; H.R. 3951, Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025; H.R. 659, Veterans Law Judge Experience Act; H.R. 2055, Caring for Survivors Act; H.R. 2701, Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Act; H.R. 2721, Honoring our Heroes Act

Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (Committee on Veterans' Affairs)

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (1:15 PM)

Meeting was rescheduled to the time and date listed above.
360 CHOB
Washington, D.C.

Witnesses

Panel one

The Honorable Tom Barrett
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

The Honorable Julia Brownley
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

The Honorable Chuck Edwards
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

The Honorable Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

The Honorable Timothy M. Kennedy
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

The Honorable Elise M. Stefanik
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

The Honorable David G. Valadao
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Member of Congress, Washington D.C.

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM

Panel two

Mrs. Julie Guleff
Caregiver and Surviving Spouse of Stephen Guleff

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 12:13 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/24/2025 at 12:29 PM

Ms. Candace Wheeler
Senior Director, Government and Legislative Affairs, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:10 AM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:10 AM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:10 AM

Mr. Michael J. Wishnie
William O. Douglas Clinical Professor of Law and Director, Veterans Legal Services Clinic, Yale Law School

Added 06/20/2025 at 09:28 AM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 12:13 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 12:15 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 12:15 PM

Panel three

Mr. Evan Deichert
Acting Deputy Vice Chairman, Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals, Department of Veterans Affairs

Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/21/2025 at 08:56 AM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:15 AM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM

Mr. Kevin Friel
Executive Director, Pension & Fiduciary Service, Department of Veterans Affairs

Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:15 AM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM

Dr. Colleen M. Richardson
Executive Director, Caregiver Support Program, Department of Veterans Affairs

Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:15 AM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM

Mr. James W. Smith II
Deputy Executive Director, Policy and Procedures Compensation Service, Department of Veterans Affairs

Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:15 AM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 01:58 PM

Colonel Tiffany M. Wagner, USAF (Ret.)
Clerk of the Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Added 06/18/2025 at 06:38 PM
  • Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 06:42 PM
  • Witness Truth in Testimony [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 12:16 PM
  • Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 06:38 PM

Text of Legislation

  • H.R.3123; Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.3627; Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.3833; Veterans’ Caregiver Appeals Modernization Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.3834; Protecting Veteran’s Claim Options Act [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.3835; Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.3854; Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.3983; Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.3951; Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.659; Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.2055; Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.2701; Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM
  • H.R.2721; Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 [PDF] Added 06/17/2025 at 01:19 PM

Support Documents

  • Hearing Notice [PDF]
  • Statement for the Record; Gold Star Spouses of America [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 09:39 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Veterans of Foreign Wars [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 10:07 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Vietnam Veterans of America [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:31 AM
  • Statement for the Record; National Organization of Veterans' Advocates [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 01:37 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Disabled American Veterans [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 01:41 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Quality of Life Foundation [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 01:41 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Jewish Federations of North America [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 01:47 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Julie Guleff [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 09:23 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Paralyzed Veterans of America [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 10:39 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Administrative Conference of the United States [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 11:25 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Afikim Foundation [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 12:28 PM
  • Statement for the Record; American Legion [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 03:18 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Shiron Collective [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:00 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Jonah Platt [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:07 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Kestenbaum [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:11 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Ondrasik [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:14 PM
  • Statement for the Record: Savetsky [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:15 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Klompas [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:16 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Trink [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:17 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Bethony Mandel [PDF] Added 06/23/2025 at 05:26 PM
  • Statement for the Record; American Federation of Government Employees [PDF] Added 06/24/2025 at 08:20 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Iddo Goldberg [PDF] Added 06/24/2025 at 08:29 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Liora Rez [PDF] Added 06/24/2025 at 08:33 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Jason Greenblatt [PDF] Added 06/25/2025 at 10:42 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Sarah Stern [PDF] Added 06/25/2025 at 10:42 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Rep. Wasserman Shultz [PDF] Added 06/30/2025 at 10:40 AM
  • Statement for the Record; Nicole Neily [PDF] Added 07/02/2025 at 01:07 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Mr. Zimmerman [PDF] Added 07/08/2025 at 06:02 PM
  • Statement for the Record; Republican Jewish Coalition [PDF] Added 07/09/2025 at 02:22 PM

Hearing Record

  • Hearing: Witness List [PDF] Added 06/20/2025 at 11:55 AM

First Published: June 17, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Last Updated: July 9, 2025 at 02:22 PM


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