We examine the Take Care of American Veterans Act and what it could mean for veterans' disability benefits.

The panel breaks down the legislation, which combines more than 60 veteran-focused bills—including a version of the Major Richard Star Act—with funding provisions that would reduce future disability compensation for sleep apnea and tinnitus. They explain why the VFW strongly opposes any effort to pay for veterans' legislation by cutting earned benefits and why the organization views the proposal as a dangerous precedent for future generations of veterans.

The conversation explores the legislative process behind the bill, reactions from lawmakers and veterans, and concerns over Congress intervening in the VA disability rating schedule. The guests also discuss the broader implications for military recruitment, retention, health care access, and trust in the commitments made to service members.

Featured Guests:

Kristina Keenan – Director, VFW National Legislative Service

Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office

Mike Figlioli – Chief of Staff, VFW Washington Office

Jason Johns – Chairman, VFW National Legislative Committee

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Intro and Roll Call

1:49 Overview of the Taking Care of American Veterans Act

4:14 Why the VFW opposes the bill's funding mechanism

6:12 Largest proposed veterans' benefit cut since the Great Depression

8:15 Impact on future veterans and military recruiting

10:35 Congressional involvement in VA disability ratings

14:09 Sleep apnea ratings and common misconceptions

16:50 Why sleep apnea remains a serious service-connected disability

21:12 Rules Committee hearing recap and next legislative steps

25:19 Concerns about the speed of the legislative process

28:01 The VFW's position on the Major Richard Star Act

30:42 Service members' concerns about future benefits

33:10 Comparisons to previous attempts to reduce veterans' benefits

37:32 Alternative funding options and congressional priorities

43:37 VFW Resolution 601 and protecting earned benefits

45:51 Why veterans should contact their elected officials

51:25 Tinnitus, VA access, and long-term health impacts

59:19 Good of the Order

1:05:42 Closing reflections and call to action

Editor's Note: We experienced some technical audio issues during the recording of this episode. While every effort was made to improve the sound quality, listeners may notice occasional audio fluctuations throughout the conversation. Thank you for your understanding.

Rob and Brittany welcome Congressman Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania's 17th District to the podcast. Deluzio is a Navy veteran, VFW member, and member of the House Armed Services Committee who continues to advocate for service members, veterans, and military families on Capitol Hill.

Before the interview, VFW National Legislative Service Director Kristina Keenan and Associate Director Joy Craig join the show for an in-depth legislative update covering several key issues impacting veterans and military families. The discussion includes ongoing efforts to secure justice for victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination, implementation of the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, progress on the Major Richard Star Act, and developments in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Deluzio reflects on his path from the U.S. Naval Academy to military service and eventually Congress, discussing how veterans bring a mission-first mindset to public service. He shares his experiences serving as a Surface Warfare Officer, deploying to Iraq alongside Army units, and the importance of having veterans represented in government.

The conversation explores military quality-of-life issues, including pay, housing, spouse employment, child care, and the challenges of transitioning from military service to civilian life. Deluzio also discusses the importance of military credentialing programs, improving transition assistance, protecting veterans' benefits, and advancing legislation such as the Major Richard Star Act.

The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming 127th VFW National Convention in Reno, Nevada, and the launch of Ask the VFW, a new platform allowing listeners to submit questions directly to VFW subject matter experts.

Have a question for the VFW? Visit https://vfw.org/AskTheVFW or go to the Ask the VFW page to submit your question for a future episode.

Featured Guests:

Chris Deluzio – U.S. Representative (PA-17), Navy Veteran, VFW Member

Kristina Keenan – Director, VFW National Legislative Service

Joy Craig – Associate Director, VFW National Legislative Service

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Intro and Roll Call

2:58 Camp Lejeune Justice Act and toxic exposure advocacy

7:36 VA Home Loan Program Reform Act implementation

11:54 Major Richard Star Act update and discharge petition progress

19:33 NDAA overview and military quality-of-life priorities

26:53 Military pay raises, transition assistance, and credentialing reforms

47:19 Congressman Chris Deluzio joins the podcast

47:39 Military service and path to Congress

50:44 Veterans in government and public service

52:17 NDAA priorities and military readiness

54:18 Quality-of-life challenges facing service members and families

57:15 Military transition and civilian credentialing

59:15 Major Richard Star Act discussion

1:03:24 Deluzio's perspective as a VA health care user

1:06:58 Introducing Ask the VFW

1:09:10 Good of the Order – Looking ahead to the VFW National Convention

Rob Couture welcomes back Kristina Keenan, Director of VFW National Legislative Service, alongside Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director of the VFW Washington Office, for a wide-ranging conversation on the latest veterans' legislation and advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.

The episode covers recent House Veterans Affairs Committee hearings on VA restructuring, toxic exposure oversight, expanded dental care, and transition support programs. The team also breaks down major updates surrounding the Major Richard Star Act, including growing bipartisan momentum and ongoing negotiations in Congress.

Ryan and Kristina provide an important update on the VFW's fight against "claim sharks" following a significant federal court ruling against Veterans Guardian, reinforcing long-standing concerns about unaccredited companies exploiting veterans for profit.

Later in the episode, co-host Brittany Dymond Murray sits down with Toni Lavery, co-founder and executive director of the Fox Force Foundation, to discuss empowering women veterans and first responders through mentorship, resilience, and community — including an upcoming historic all-women D-Day jump into Normandy featuring VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore.

Fox Force Foundation: https://foxforce55.org/

Featured Guests:
Kristina Keenan – Director, VFW National Legislative Service
Ryan Gallucci – Executive Director, VFW Washington Office
Toni Lavery – Co-Founder & Executive Director, Fox Force Foundation

Episode Highlights:
0:00 Intro and Roll Call
1:26 House VA Committee hearings overview
10:42 Toxic exposure oversight and Pact Act transparency
21:40 Expanded VA dental care proposal
23:44 Guard Act update and claim shark legislation
28:42 Major Richard Star Act update
46:13 Major court ruling against claim sharks
1:01:37 VFW resolutions process and member advocacy
1:10:37 Still Serving Spotlight – Fox Force Foundation
1:23:23 Women veterans jumping into Normandy for D-Day
1:41:43 Transition challenges and finding purpose after service
1:56:12 Good of the Order and Memorial Day reflections