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Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the start of the second of three annual joint House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs veteran service organization (VSO) hearings to discuss the organization’s legislative priorities, concerns, and initiatives on behalf of veterans, their families, and their survivors they represent nationwide. This hearing includes testimony from The American Legion, MVA, JWV, NACVSO, MOAA, NASDVA, IVMF, and WWP.

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you all for being here and welcome to my Senate colleagues, Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal.

Before we get started, I would like to acknowledge our visitors present from the greatest state in the Union: Illinois.

THANK YOU for traveling here from our home state, please stand if you are able, let’s give a warm welcome to these folks.

It is also an honor to be here with all of you, my fellow legionnaires.

I am a Marine Corps Veteran and a proud member of Murphysboro Post 127.

Before you check, do not worry, my dues are paid.

The American Legion has dutifully worked on behalf of those who have served our country for more than one hundred years and it is a privilege to be a part of this organization.

With that being said, I also want to welcome Mr. James LaCoursiere Jr., the National Commander of The American Legion and his spouse, Lisa.

Thank you both for making the trip.

I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership to better serve veterans across the U.S.

The American Legion does an outstanding job of sharing the perspectives and concerns of their members with our committee.

Our work here on the committee is greatly assisted by their dedication to the mission.

It’s an honor for me to be here today, serving on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in my second term as Chairman.

The mission of the V.A. Committee has always been personal to me.

I grew up around veterans, I know veterans, they are members of my family, and I am a veteran.

Every time I sit on the dais and we’re getting into a debate – whether it’s with V.A., or the other side of the aisle, I’m always thinking of them.

For me, it’s always about the veteran; it’s not about protecting government bureaucracy.

I know the sacrifices each of you have made.

Each of you has fought to protect our constitutional rights.

We had many important accomplishments last Congress, but many issues remain.

I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn more about how we as Congress can help our nation’s veterans.

Veterans should have the freedom to use the benefits V.A. offers in exchange for their service to meet their individual needs.

And they shouldn’t be spending hours driving in the car to get them.

Or combing through wonky paperwork for months on end.

Or needlessly waiting for a phone call to get a simple answer.

You know where V.A. is falling short.

And you know where we need to push the agency to bring it out of the stone age and into the new age.

You have my commitment that as long as I’m in charge, we will continue to fight for you – and the voices you represent – the hundreds of thousands of veterans outside the D.C. beltway who just want their healthcare on time, and their benefits when they need them.

This old corporal takes that mission seriously, and I know my friend and our new V.A. Secretary Doug Collins does too.

Under President Trump’s leadership, I know we are going to put you, the veterans V.A. serves, back at the center of V.A.’s mission.

And when the bureaucracy tries to get in the way, I’ll continue to be the first to hold them accountable and get answers for you.

We made great progress with the passage of the Dole Act and I am incredibly grateful to the American Legion for their support in getting this bill across the finish line.

I am committed to improving V.A.’s ability to hold their employees accountable so that veterans have access to world class care.

I’m grateful to The American Legion for their support of the Restore Accountability Act of 2025, which would do just that.

We must deliver for veterans to protect their healthcare choice, expand economic and education opportunities, streamline benefits, and get it done.

I promise to keep up the fight we are all in together. Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas.

I look forward to completing our mission alongside all of you.

Thank you for being here today.

I now yield to Chairman Moran for his opening statement.