The U.S. House of Representatives came together in a rare show of unity this week and unanimously passed a measure to resurrect an office that advocates for the survivors of U.S. military veterans.<\/p>\n
By a vote of 424-0, the House passed H.R. 1228, known as the \u201cPrioritizing Veterans\u2019 Survivors Act,\u201d a strong bipartisan measure to restore the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to its original role under the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n
The measure ensures that the office once more serves as the principal adviser on policies that affect military families and the survivors of loved ones lost in military service. The passage of the bill reverses a 2021 action that sidelined advocacy for veterans\u2019 survivors, according to reports.<\/p>\n
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), amends Title 38, United States Code, \u201cto clarify the organization of the Office of Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs,\u201d according to GovTrack. The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n
VA Secretary Doug Collins, a former GOP lawmaker from Georgia, recently said that he was supportive of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency efforts to streamline his department as well as the rest of the government.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to make decisions best for my employees and best for the veterans. They\u2019re giving us good advice, looking with fresh eyes,\u201d Collins told NewsNation. \u201cWe need to make sure we\u2019re doing the best we can for those veterans out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also, in a recent video, Collins addressed \u201crumors\u201d about reports that there would be stiff cuts to VA benefits and veterans\u2019 care under Trump.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re putting Veterans number one back at the VA,\u201d he said, noting that while change can cause some friction and uncertainty, caring for vets was still the primary mission.<\/p>\n
Among the claims he disputed was that VA health care would deteriorate. Collins categorically rejected this assertion, stating that the department has fortified its health care and benefits by preserving 300,000 mission-critical positions to guarantee uninterrupted services. He also countered another rumor suggesting that Veterans\u2019 benefits were being cut.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not,\u201d he said, explaining that VA had redirected nearly $98 million toward Veterans\u2019 care and services rather than reducing them.<\/p>\n
Collins, a colonel and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, addressed the rumor that VA was laying off Veterans Crisis Line responders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did not lay off any Veteran Crisis Line responders,\u201d\u00a0he noted<\/a>, while assuring that those answering crisis calls remain in place to support veterans in need.<\/p>\n Collins then encouraged Veterans to obtain information directly from the VA rather than depending on the misinformation that circulates in political discussions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you want the truth, come to me, not the Whopper line up on Capitol Hill,\u201d he said, referring to politically motivated but untrue claims about cuts to VA services under the current commander-in-chief.<\/p>\n