VFW Advocacy

1. VFW Encouraged as President Shares 'Scalpel' Approach to VA Job Cuts

   WASHINGTON -Last week I voiced the VFW's concerns about the indiscriminate firings of veterans across our federal government. We heard from our members across the country about the effects this was having on their livelihoods and the care veterans seek at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I urged the use of a scalpel instead of a chain saw when seeking to right size VA. We feel this way because the men and women who served our country deserve that consideration when making decisions that are this serious.

   Earlier this week, VA announced its plans to reduce the VA workforce by an additional 83,000 employees. The VFW sees no scenario where that would not affect veterans care and benefits. Once again, it is concerning that the announced cuts would be harmful to veterans.

   Thankfully, yesterday at a press conference, President Trump made it clear he was directing the Cabinet secretaries to take the lead on right sizing their respective departments instead of DOGE. President Trump stated, "I don't want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut." Later in a social media post the president wrote, "We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet.'" The VFW agrees with that sentiment, and we are glad to hear the administration has heard the concerns of groups like the VFW.

   We now call upon VA to reconsider its planned reduction of 83,000 employees and thoroughly review any proposed cuts prior to rolling out further announcements like this. Again, a scalpel is the preferred tool when making these precise cuts, especially when, at this very moment, veteran employees are indeed fit to have jobs still serving their fellow veterans and the country.

   The VFW supports the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in our government. I told Secretary Collins earlier this week that we agree that there are areas at VA where we can tighten the belt. And the VFW will work with Secretary Collins and other veteran groups to help identify processes that need to be more efficient, so veterans remain the focus at VA. We call on all veterans who have not yet engaged on this issue to follow us in making your voice heard. If veterans won't stand up for one another, then who will?

   Our leaders in Washington, D.C., must "Honor the Contract" we all signed when we joined the military. Making sure veterans care and benefits remain fully funded and appropriately staffed to carry out this critical mission is incredibly important. We fulfilled our part of the contract we signed, and we expect our elected and appointed leaders to do the same.

2. VFW Encouraged as President Shares 'Scalpel' Approach to VA Job Cuts

   WASHINGTON - Last week I voiced the VFW's concerns about the indiscriminate firings of veterans across our federal government. We heard from our members across the country about the effects this was having on their livelihoods and the care veterans seek at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I urged the use of a scalpel instead of a chain saw when seeking to right size VA. We feel this way because the men and women who served our country deserve that consideration when making decisions that are this serious.

   Earlier this week, VA announced its plans to reduce the VA workforce by an additional 83,000 employees. The VFW sees no scenario where that would not affect veterans care and benefits. Once again, it is concerning that the announced cuts would be harmful to veterans.

   Thankfully, yesterday at a press conference, President Trump made it clear he was directing the Cabinet secretaries to take the lead on right sizing their respective departments instead of DOGE. President Trump stated, "I don't want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut." Later in a social media post the president wrote, "We say the 'scalpel' rather than the 'hatchet.'" The VFW agrees with that sentiment, and we are glad to hear the administration has heard the concerns of groups like the VFW.

   We now call upon VA to reconsider its planned reduction of 83,000 employees and thoroughly review any proposed cuts prior to rolling out further announcements like this. Again, a scalpel is the preferred tool when making these precise cuts, especially when, at this very moment, veteran employees are indeed fit to have jobs still serving their fellow veterans and the country.

   The VFW supports the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in our government. I told Secretary Collins earlier this week that we agree that there are areas at VA where we can tighten the belt. And the VFW will work with Secretary Collins and other veteran groups to help identify processes that need to be more efficient, so veterans remain the focus at VA. We call on all veterans who have not yet engaged on this issue to follow us in making your voice heard. If veterans won't stand up for one another, then who will?

   Our leaders in Washington, D.C., must "Honor the Contract" we all signed when we joined the military. Making sure veterans care and benefits remain fully funded and appropriately staffed to carry out this critical mission is incredibly important. We fulfilled our part of the contract we signed, and we expect our elected and appointed leaders to do the same.

3. Rep. Van Orden Receives VFW Congressional Award

   WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented its 2025 Congressional Award to Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) for his relentless advocacy on behalf of veterans and service members.

   "In Representative Van Orden, we have found a devoted, passionate and determined advocate for our military and veteran communities," said VFW Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt. "His resolve for accountability and action on some of our most pressing issues is clear, and we could not be more thrilled to have him in our corner not only as a member of Congress but also as a VFW Life member."

   Presented annually since 1964, the VFW Congressional Award is given to one member of the House or Senate for significant legislative contributions on behalf of veterans and military personnel. Past recipients include strong national security and veterans' advocates, such as Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS), Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery (D-MS), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), among many others. Last year's award went to Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) who now serves on the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Levin previously held the position of Ranking Member on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

   Rep. Van Orden was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022. Quickly assuming the role of Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, he got to work addressing topline veteran and service member issues like the military Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and veteran suicide prevention. As the originating sponsor of the VFW-supported TAP Promotion Act, he relentlessly advocates for service members' equal access to VA-accredited claims representatives in TAP classrooms. Moreover, he co-authored last year's bipartisan House Concurrent Resolution commemorating the VFW's 125th Anniversary and even proudly wears his VFW cap while presiding over VFW-attended hearings. In addition to his duties as the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee Chairman, he also serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee.

   Before coming to Congress, Rep. Van Orden was a U.S. Navy SEAL and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer after serving 26 years and completing multiple combat deployments, thereby earning his VFW membership eligibility. He maintains his Life membership at Thomas Rooney VFW Post 1530 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

   "We are eager to continue working with Rep. Van Orden and his staff to ensure we get to the root of economic-related barriers facing veterans and transitioning service members," said Lipphardt. "His tenacity and resistance to accepting the status quo resonates deeply with our members, and we are proud to bestow upon him this year's Congressional Award."

4. VFW Chief Demands Lawmakers 'Honor the Contract' with Veterans

   WASHINGTON - Heeding the call to "march forth," Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and VFW Auxiliary members packed the house alongside Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt as he testified before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs held today.

   Armed with a DD Form 4, which is the standard enlistment contract for those entering service into the Armed Forces of the United States, Lipphardt launched into his testimony with the document held high and his comrades amassed behind him in the Dirksen Senate Office Building chamber where the hearing was being held. Amidst the administration's push to cut government spending, Lipphardt reminded lawmakers that the enlistment contract is "more than an employment agreement" and that by law, service members are entitled to receive pay and benefits.

   "This isn't charity. This is a contract," said Lipphardt. "Everyone who served honorably, like every member of the VFW, met our end of this agreement. We demand our leaders do the same. By contract, you must ensure the VA has the resources and staff to provide veterans their full earned benefits. This is not an ask. Honor the contract!"

   Lipphardt then thanked both veterans' affairs committees for drafting and passing the PACT Act in 2022, the historic bill that provided health care and benefits to generations of veterans exposed to toxins during their time in service. He then pointed out gaps in coverage and that Congress still has more work to do.

   "The military is an inherently hazardous profession," said Lipphardt. "We must take care of our K2 veterans, those who served at Fort McClellan, veterans exposed to radiation, 'forever chemicals,' and others. The VFW urges Congress to conduct oversight of VA's presumptive process because veterans cannot keep waiting."

   Lipphardt then explained the difficultly for service members to transition from military to civilian life and how vital it was for both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to actively support them through that process. He called on Congress to pass legislation like the TAP Promotion Act and to establish a position in the DOD to ensure service members are given every opportunity to thrive in their transition.

   "The VFW urges Congress to establish an Under Secretary of Defense for Transition," said Lipphardt. "This position is essential for effective management and accountability. Improving transition has the potential to enhance recruitment and retention, lowers risk for suicide, and sets veterans on a path to success."

   Lipphardt then transitioned into addressing challenges veterans face with mental health. He asserted the VA sometimes overprescribes medications, particularly antidepressants. He then implored Congress and the VA to research alternative treatments and solutions for veterans to break the cycle of overmedication.

   "The VFW believes there are additional ways to effectively treat PTSD. VA should receive funding to research and deliver those treatments today," said Lipphardt.

   The next priority Lipphardt delivered was a subject the VFW has railed against for years - unaccredited, predatory claims consultants the VFW calls Claim Sharks. He described their practices, such as obtaining fraudulent medical opinions from their own providers, accessing veterans' login credentials for VA websites and call centers, and charging veterans the equivalent of 5-10 months of their future disability payments.

   "The VFW understands that some veterans are willing to pay for claims help," said Lipphardt, "but these companies cannot be allowed to line their pockets with taxpayer dollars at the expense of disabled veterans."

   Lipphardt then advocated on behalf of members of the National Guard and Reserve. He mentioned how while they deployed both domestically and abroad at a high rate since Sept. 11, 2001, they are denied the same VA educational benefits as their active-duty counterparts. He asked Congress to pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025 to allow any day in uniform for which military pay is received to count toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility.

   "The time is long past for parity. This inequity must end now," said Lipphardt.

   Lipphardt addressed a long-standing VFW legislative priority - passing the Major Richard Star Act and other legislation to provide full concurrent receipt to all deserving veterans. He pointed out how Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act in the last session, ending a similar unjust offset for social security recipients.

   "It is time to correct this injustice for our military retirees," said Lipphardt. "The VFW calls on Congress to fix this now."

   Lipphardt finished his testimony on a personal note, reminding Congress of the sacrifices made for the nation. He named five soldiers he served with during the Vietnam War who were killed in combat - Pvt. Lewis Sloan of East Point, Georgia, Cpl. Kenneth Adams of Santa Barbara, California, Cpl. Philip Adams of Croton Falls, New York, Pfc. Robert Waddell of Batavia, Ohio, and Cpl. Rodney Loatman of Newark, New Jersey.

   "I would ask these men to stand and be recognized, but they can't. Their names are on the Vietnam Wall along with all those who gave the last full measure of devotion to this nation acknowledged by the contract we each signed.

   "Our nation must never forget our warfighters," said Lipphardt.

   Video of today's testimony is available to watch and share here.

   Read Commander Lipphardt's full testimony here.

5. VFW Calls on Administration, Congress to Stop Indiscriminate Firing of Veterans

   WASHINGTON -Ten days ago, I shared the Veterans of Foreign Wars' (VFW) concerns for the news of mass lay-offs coming out of our nation's capital. Since then, it has become clearer that the veteran community has been hit hard as probationary federal jobs are being axed across the country, to include the latest announcement of 1,400 more just let go from the VA.

   With veterans making up approximately 30% of the more than 2.2 million employed by the federal government, the potential of losing thousands of veterans from the government work force is troubling. A lot of these aren't brand-new, off-the-street employees. These are employees who have been serving the American people for years, in uniform and in civil service, and at least some of whom have been or are being caught by a formality in administrative statuses. There are bigger ramifications in firing veterans than just faceless workers being let go. The American people are losing technical expertise, training and security clearances already bought and paid for by taxpayers. These veterans are now being told their skills are no longer useful to the government. We're losing people who are genuinely committed to the mission and find a continued sense of purpose in what they do. On top of all this, studies show having gainful employment is a social determinate of health and gets ahead of arguably one of the root causes of veteran suicide. Since the federal government is the single largest employer of veterans in the nation, it's veterans who are being indiscriminately harmed in this bull-"DOGE"-ing of the federal work force.

   I was wounded in combat during the Vietnam War. I am thankful that the medics who treated me chose not to take my whole arm for the sake of efficiency. It took a trained eye, a skillful hand and human intuition to fix me up and get me back in the fight. In my experience, those operating with a scalpel have a better chance at saving limbs than those who operate with a chainsaw.

   Unfortunately, it appears humans have been taken out of what is a human capital issue. It has been reported to us from veterans who have lost their jobs that the emails they received letting them go were disjointed, and inconsistent across the board. This leads us to believe they were automated with little to no oversight or thought. When it comes to complex problems, we rely on humans to make the right choices at the right times. We should never leave the hard decisions that impact people's lives and livelihoods to an algorithm or an email distribution list.

   On Tuesday, March 4th, I will testify before a joint session of the congressional veterans' affairs committees to deliver the VFW's priorities and call on Congress and this administration to put an end to the indiscriminate firing of veterans in the government workforce. I am also calling on VFW members to "march forth" and join me on that day. I want to see hats in the hallways of our Capitol as our legislative committee members engage with lawmakers in demanding that they "Honor the Contract" the government made with those who have already served and sacrificed so much for America and their fellow Americans. It's time to apply pressure and stop the bleeding.

   Guidance for Veterans Facing Federal Government Layoffs