The 119th Congress
Several historic events occurred on Friday, January 3rd, the first day the 119th Congress met. Despite being a long list, this legislation addresses a larger variety of public policy objectives that fall under the purview of the seven main emphasis groups of our legislative platform. The bills are currently being introduced, and AFSA is striving to provide more details on the following:
NEW Support Protecting Veteran Access To Telemedicine Services Act Of 2025
Link to Advocacy Campaign:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/126232/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Many veterans—especially in rural or underserved areas—face long wait times or logistical challenges accessing in-person care.
- Telemedicine eliminates travel burdens and allows continuity of care, particularly for mental health, pain management, and substance use treatment.
- Providers must still follow DEA and FDA rules, operate under full licensure, and use professional judgment.
- The bill does not loosen safety protocols—it modernizes delivery.
- During COVID-19, temporary waivers proved that tele-prescribing can be both safe and effective.
- This bill codifies proven, veteran-centric practices into law.
- Veterans with PTSD, anxiety, or opioid use disorder often depend on controlled medications.
- Requiring in-person exams for every prescription can delay urgently needed care and discourage treatment adherence.
- Telehealth reduces infrastructure strain and overhead.
- It supports efficient provider utilization and reduces missed appointments or emergency room dependency.
Support The CHIP IN Act
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/123293/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Bi-Partisan, Bi-Cameral Support: The bill is backed by leaders in both the House and Senate, ensuring broad support for its passage.
- Successful Pilot Program: The original CHIP IN pilot program demonstrated significant success, with the Omaha VA facility serving as a model for cost-effective, community-supported development.
- Faster Project Completion: The public-private partnership model reduces bureaucratic delays, ensuring veterans receive quality healthcare services more quickly.
- Efficient Use of Funds: By leveraging private contributions, VA facilities can be built and improved without relying solely on federal appropriations.
- Expanding Veteran Healthcare: By making the program permanent, we can replicate the success of Omaha and expand access to modernized VA healthcare facilities across the country.
Support Protect Our Veterans’ Disability and Retired Pay Benefits
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/121980/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Veterans have served this country with unwavering dedication, often at great personal cost. Many rely on disability compensation and retirement pay to support themselves and their families after years of service and sacrifice. Any reduction or elimination of these benefits would betray our government’s commitment to those who have defended our freedoms. Building mistrust and hindering our recruitment and retention efforts.
Support Education Savings Accounts For Military Families Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/108025/Respond
Legislation Summary
- This bill urges the Department of Education (ED) to establish a program to give cash for educational expenditures to children whose parents are on active duty in the uniformed forces.
- Specifically, ED must create a tax-exempt Military Education Savings Account for dependent children of parents in uniformed services to pay for their educational expenditures.
- Savings account funds may be utilized for specific objectives, such as the cost of attending a private elementary or secondary school or a higher education institution, private tutoring, or expenditures associated with an apprenticeship or other vocational training program.
Support Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign:
https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/113524/Respond
Legislation Summary
- This bill would require the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs to create and implement a 5-year pilot program to treat TBI and PTSD.
Support the Revisit Pay Equity Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107467/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Increases the rate of the differential wage payment tax credit from 20% to 50% and requires that the maximum dollar amount of such credit be adjusted for inflation after 2023.
- The credit is allowed to employers for their employees who are active duty members of the uniformed services.
Support the Major Richard Star Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93862/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.
- Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.
Support the Retired Pay Restoration Act!
Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/92798/Respond
Legislation Summary
- Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
- Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.
If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.
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