Since the beginning of the year, Congress has worked diligently to support those who have served us. Here’s just some of what we accomplished!

Simplified VA Claims Process

I was proud to support the passage of the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act. This bill, which passed the full House in September, requires the VA to implement an automation tool that streamlines claims processing, ensuring veterans can obtain the benefits they earned in a timely fashion. It now awaits action in the Senate. 

Protected Veterans’ Access to Telemedicine

In September, I voted to pass the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act. This bill gives VA health care professionals the authority to deliver, distribute, and dispense certain prescription drugs to veterans through telemedicine without requiring an in-person visit. Increasing the ability for our veterans to have access to all types of care is essential. 

Bolstered Veterans Suicide Prevention Programs

I also voted to reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which provides outreach, suicide prevention services, and connection to VA and community resources for the many veterans who struggle with mental health and suicide. This is a tremendous program and has been proven to be successful in saving the lives of those who have served. 

Unfortunately, this program is currently paused due to the ongoing Democrat shutdown. Our veterans deserve better than this. They have chosen to serve our nation – the least we can do is pass a clean, bipartisan bill to reopen the government and help prevent veteran suicide. Once the government finally reopens, this important program will once again be able to support veterans in need. 

Fully Funded the VA

As a part of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process, I was proud to vote in favor of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act to fully fund veteran health care and benefits programs, putting veterans first. As a part of the ongoing negotiations to reopen the government, the Senate is quickly working to pass a bill to appropriate full year funding for the VA. 

During a government shutdown, there are no winners or losers. A political environment that resulted in the longest shutdown in our nation’s history is unhealthy and needs to change.  

Keeping the lights on, our troops paid, air travel operating normally, veterans’ support programs running, and food assistance programs like SNAP operational should be the baseline of the work we do in Washington. Unfortunately, since early October, that just wasn’t the case in Washington. 

I’m happy to report that significant progress has been made in discussions to reopen the government. This new CR proposal will extend government funding through January 20, 2026. I look forward to voting in support of this package and finally getting back to working on behalf of the American people! 

Meeting with the Fort Knox Community

Late last month, I hosted a roundtable discussion with roughly 20 community leaders from the Fort Knox community to hear about the ongoing impacts of the government shutdown. 

This roundtable included military spouses, business leaders, and local elected officials. Each of the attendees outlined specific struggles they see in the community as a result of the decision made by my colleagues on the other side of aisle in the Senate to keep our government shut down. Take a look at the video below to see some of the media coverage of this important event.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this roundtable discussion to shed light on what has proven to be a difficult shutdown on so many Americans, especially those in the military. Join me again in thanking them for serving and wish them a happy Veterans Day.