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Senator Marsha Blackburn's Veterans Health Care Freedom Act Stalls Amidst Broader Legislative Package Concerns

Senator Marsha Blackburn's Veterans Health Care Freedom Act Stalls Amidst Broader Legislative Package Concerns

Senator Marsha Blackburn's Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which aims to allow veterans to bypass Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authorization for outside care, has been introduced three times since 2022 without becoming law. This act is part of a larger legislative discussion surrounding the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA), a comprehensive package of 60 bills currently under consideration for a floor vote in the House. Critics argue that TCAVA, particularly its two grant programs—the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and the RECOVER Act—could weaken the VA's authority to coordinate and decide on veterans' outside care. The Fox program, initially designed for non-clinical support and referrals to the VA, is reportedly being used by some grantees to fund routine mental health treatment, contrary to its original intent. The RECOVER Act, championed by organizations like the Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), seeks to establish a pilot grant program for nonprofit o...
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Representative Nancy Mace Introduces Bill to Enhance Maternity Care for Veteran Mothers

Representative Nancy Mace Introduces Bill to Enhance Maternity Care for Veteran Mothers

Representative Nancy Mace has introduced H.R. 10966, the 'Supporting Veteran Mothers Act of 2026,' aimed at improving maternity care coordination within Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. This bill mandates that VA medical facilities with over 100 pregnant or postpartum patients annually must assign at least one full-time equivalent employee specifically for maternity care coordination. This dedicated staff member would not be assigned unrelated duties. The legislation also requires these facilities to regularly review and document their staffing levels, the number of pregnant or postpartum patients served, and compliance with the minimum staffing requirement. If a facility fails to meet the staffing levels, its leadership must submit an action plan to the VA Secretary and the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees within 45 days, detailing necessary staffing changes, timelines, and required resources. A waiver option is available for facilities facing extraordinary circumstance...
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Congressman Vern Buchanan Honors Veterans on Final Veterans Day in Congress, Highlights Legislative Efforts

Congressman Vern Buchanan Honors Veterans on Final Veterans Day in Congress, Highlights Legislative Efforts

Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Health Subcommittee, honored America’s veterans on Veterans Day. This marks his final Veterans Day in Congress, as he is retiring at the end of his current term. Buchanan emphasized his continued commitment to veterans by highlighting legislation he has supported in the 119th Congress aimed at strengthening veterans’ healthcare, protecting their benefits, and aiding their transition to civilian life. He voted for the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 9237), a comprehensive package combining over 60 veteran-related bills to improve benefits and services. Buchanan has also spearheaded his own legislative initiatives, including the Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025 (H.R. 1289), which proposes a VA pilot program for medically tailored meals. Additionally, his Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025 (H.R. 1290) seeks to establish a three-year pilot program for referring vetera...
USA TodayUSA Today
Corruption is Trump's weak spot. Both parties are coming for it | Opinion

Corruption is Trump's weak spot. Both parties are coming for it | Opinion

Exit polls show corruption was a major issue that drove midterm voters. Now Sen. Jon Ossoff and Gov. Ron DeSantis are seizing on it ahead of 2028.
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Senator Warnock Honors Veterans, Emphasizes Sacrifice and Service

Senator Warnock Honors Veterans, Emphasizes Sacrifice and Service

U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock issued a statement on Veterans' Day, paying tribute to those who have served in the nation's military. As the son of a World War II veteran, Senator Warnock specifically acknowledged the more than 700,000 veterans residing in Georgia. His message underscored the profound personal sacrifices made by service members, referring to them as neighbors, loved ones, and individuals who undertook extraordinary responsibilities and risks for the collective good. He emphasized that the nation benefits from their sacrifices and that this gift should never be taken for granted. Georgia is noted for having the sixth-largest active-duty military population in the United States, highlighting the significant presence and contributions of military personnel and veterans within the state.
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U.S. Representatives Form Bipartisan Caucus to Combat PFAS Pollution

U.S. Representatives Form Bipartisan Caucus to Combat PFAS Pollution

U.S. Representative Clay Fuller, a Republican from Georgia's 14th congressional district, has announced the formation of the Southeastern PFAS Caucus. This bipartisan group aims to address the widespread issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution, often referred to as 'forever chemicals,' which have been a source of concern regarding drinking water contamination and potential health effects. The caucus's primary goal is to find solutions and secure funding for cleanup efforts across the region. Founding members include U.S. Representatives Laurel Lee and Brian Mast, both Florida Republicans, and Darren Soto of Florida and Deborah Ross of North Carolina, both Democrats. Representative Fuller emphasized the personal significance of this issue, citing his own thyroid cancer diagnosis, which he believes may be linked to environmental factors in his childhood community in north Georgia. PFAS are manufactured chemicals used in various products for their resistance to water, stains, grease, and...
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Representative Julia Brownley Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand VA Dental Care for Millions of Veterans

Representative Julia Brownley Co-Sponsors Bill to Expand VA Dental Care for Millions of Veterans

Representative Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) has introduced the Dental Care for Veterans Act (H.R. 210), a bill aimed at significantly expanding dental benefits for veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. The American Dental Association (ADA) has endorsed this legislation, which seeks to extend dental coverage to millions more veterans who currently do not qualify. As of February 2026, over nine million veterans are enrolled in VA healthcare, but only about 26% receive dental benefits. Current eligibility is largely restricted to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, specific service-connected dental conditions, or former prisoner-of-war status. The proposed bill would phase in expanded eligibility over four years, utilizing the existing VA healthcare priority groups. This means that veterans in Priority Groups 1 and 2 would become eligible after the first year, with coverage gradually extending to Groups 7 and 8 by the fourth year. The ADA's endorsement emphasizes the need for additional fundi...
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Congressman Mark Harris Applauds House Passage of Major Veterans' Benefits Package on Veterans Day

Congressman Mark Harris Applauds House Passage of Major Veterans' Benefits Package on Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) announced the House passage of H.R. 9237, known as the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act. This comprehensive legislative package comprises over 60 bipartisan bills designed to enhance veterans' benefits, improve access to healthcare, bolster support for military families, and modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation also incorporates reforms aimed at reducing government bureaucracy and streamlining service delivery for veterans. Congressman Harris emphasized the nation's responsibility to ensure veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned, stating that the passage of this legislation on Veterans Day was particularly fitting for strengthening healthcare, expanding benefits for wounded veterans, and providing greater support for military families. He reiterated the commitment to uphold promises made to the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. uniform.
ReutersReuters
Vance, Rubio, Ossoff and Buttigieg lead 2028 White House hopefuls, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

Vance, Rubio, Ossoff and Buttigieg lead 2028 White House hopefuls, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

By Tim Reid and Jason Lange WASHINGTON, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Four potential contenders in the 2028 race for the White House have caught American voters' attention with their early jockeying: Republicans JD Vance and Marco Rubio and Democrats Jon Ossoff and Pete Buttigieg, according to the latest
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Senator Ossoff Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Non-Opioid Pain Treatment for Veterans

Senator Ossoff Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Non-Opioid Pain Treatment for Veterans

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has announced his cosponsorship of the NOPAIN for Veterans Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding access to non-opioid pain treatments for veterans. This legislation, originally introduced by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), seeks to address existing gaps in care within the VA National Formulary. The primary goal is to provide veterans with alternatives to opioid-based pain management, thereby helping to prevent addiction. Senator Ossoff emphasized the significant sacrifices made by veterans and the prevalent issue of substance abuse and addiction upon their return home. He stated that the bill would enable the VA to more quickly offer safe pain management treatments and protect veterans from addiction. This initiative is part of Senator Ossoff's ongoing efforts to support veterans and combat addiction within Georgia communities.
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Senator Cantwell and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand PACT Act Coverage for Iran War Veterans

Senator Cantwell and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand PACT Act Coverage for Iran War Veterans

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), alongside 12 Senate colleagues including Senator Angus King (I-ME), has introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring Iran War veterans receive coverage under the PACT Act. This bill seeks to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, making it easier for service members exposed to toxic substances during their deployment in Iran to access necessary treatment. The PACT Act, enacted four years ago, facilitated healthcare access for veterans exposed to toxic substances by establishing a list of presumed-exposure locations. However, Iran is currently not on this list, despite troops in the Iran War facing similar hazards. The proposed 'New PACT for Iran Veterans Act' would mandate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to add Iran to the covered locations and proactively review all overseas assignments for toxic substance exposures every five years. It also requires the VA Secretary to publicly justify any denial of a country recommended for presumed toxic exposure or removal of exist...
USA TodayUSA Today
GA's first openly transgender lawmaker heads to capitol. Who are they?

GA's first openly transgender lawmaker heads to capitol. Who are they?

Bentley Hudgins, an openly transgender person, won their election for Georgia's State House District 90, the first ever in Georgia.