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)

Panel one

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Panel two

Mrs. Julie Guleff
Caregiver and Surviving Spouse of Stephen Guleff

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

• 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

Panel three

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Witness Statement [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 06:42 PM
• Witness Biography [PDF] Added 06/18/2025 at 06:38 PM