The latest developments from Capitol Hill, where PVA is pushing for the changes veterans with spinal cord injuries are most passionate about.
Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
Five of Paralyzed Veterans of America’s (PVA) key legislative priorities remain in various stages of progress, as Congress is in recess for August. Here is a brief update on each bill, followed by an overview of the larger veterans omnibus package that includes all five.
S. 3647, Disabled Veterans Dignity Act
Would establish a permanent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) bowel and bladder care program for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including standardized procedures, training and care. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) is the only sponsor, and there is no House companion.
H.R. 6047, Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act
Would update Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) rates for severely disabled veterans and strengthen Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving families. The House passed the bill May 21, and it now awaits Senate action. There is no Senate companion.
H.R. 1685/S. 749, Justice for ALS Veterans Act
Would provide enhanced survivor benefits to future surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The bill has 33 House and 13 Senate cosponsors.
H.R. 6835/S. 3988, Veterans STAND Act
Would ensure veterans with SCI/D receive consistent health evaluations and consideration for innovative treatments that could improve mobility, independence and quality of life. The House bill has 20 cosponsors; Moran is the only Senate sponsor.
H.R. 1364/S. 1726, ASSIST Act
Would clarify the adapted automotive equipment the VA can provide to disabled veterans, including ramps, kneeling systems, lowered floors, mobility lifts and accessibility modifications. The Senate bill has nine sponsors, and the House bill has eight.
All five bills are included in the larger Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 9237/S. 4744), which contains many other veterans’ priorities. However, its funding provision has divided the veteran community, and PVA has concerns about it.
On July 16, House leaders pulled the bill after a very close vote on an amendment that would have sent it back to committee. House Republicans have said they plan to bring it back in the fall.
On July 28, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) offered an amendment in the Senate to change the funding provision, but Chairman Moran blocked it. Moran then tried to advance the bill without the amendment, but Blumenthal blocked that effort. As a result, the bill did not advance before the August recess.
Another attempt is expected after Congress returns this fall, but the bill’s prospects remain uncertain because of opposition in both Congress and the veteran community.
DOT Extends Enforcement Delay for Wheelchair and Scooter Air Travel Rules
On Aug. 4, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it is delaying enforcement of several provisions in two rules affecting air travelers with disabilities: the Wheelchair User Rule and the Accessible Lavatory Rule.
The Wheelchair User Rule, issued in December 2024, expanded protections for passengers traveling with wheelchairs and scooters. The DOT is extending its pause on four provisions:
- Airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs
- Refresher training requirements for airline personnel and contractors
- Passenger pre-departure notification requirements
- Reimbursement of fare differences when a passenger’s preferred flight cannot accommodate his or her wheelchair or scooter.
The DOT had previously delayed enforcement of these provisions through Dec. 31. The new notice extends the pause through April 30. DOT plans to reconsider these requirements through a future proposed rule, Wheelchair Rule II.
The DOT is also delaying enforcement of training requirements under the Accessible Lavatory Rule. The rule would require flight attendants to receive annual proficiency training on assisting passengers to and from the lavatory using an onboard wheelchair. The requirement was scheduled to take effect Oct. 2, but the DOT will now reconsider the training frequency as part of Wheelchair Rule II.
PVA Takes Part in NASDVA Conference
On Aug. 10, PVA Associate Legislative Director Jennifer Hunt represented PVA on a panel at the annual training conference of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA).
NASDVA represents leaders of state and territorial veterans’ affairs agencies and helps coordinate veterans’ benefits and services at the federal and state levels.
Hunt joined representatives from AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars to discuss legislative priorities, the future of Congress and veterans service organizations and the introduction of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 9237/S. 4744).
New Study Shows ALS Risk Varies by Branch
A new study found that the risk of developing ALS varies by military branch and rank.
Veterans who served in the Marine Corps or Army had a lower ALS risk than those who served in the Coast Guard, Navy or Air Force. Marines had the lowest risk, with male Marines 22% less likely to develop ALS than male Army veterans.
The study also found that commissioned officers had a higher ALS risk than enlisted personnel—64% higher among men and 72% higher among women.
Researchers reviewed data from nearly 10 million veterans who received care through the Veterans Health Administration between 2000 and 2024.
Congress Moves ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act
Before the August recess, the House and Senate passed different versions of the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8205/S. 4472).
The bill would extend the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act for five more years, continue funding for ALS research and drug development and expand access to investigational treatments for people who cannot participate in clinical trials.
The chambers must resolve their differences when Congress returns this fall before the bill can go to the president for his signature.
NPS Publishes Final Rule on Powered Micromobility Devices
On Aug. 11, the National Park Service (NPS) issued a final rule establishing new guidelines for powered micromobility devices in national parks. PVA helped develop public comments on the proposed rule with the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities.
PVA supported regulations to protect trails, sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks and transit stops, while also urging NPS to exempt adaptive devices used by people with disabilities.
The rule defines powered micromobility devices as human-operated, self-propelled devices weighing less than 150 pounds and without an internal combustion engine. Examples include e-scooters, hoverboards and Segways. Motorized wheelchairs are excluded from the definition.
The rule generally prohibits these devices except in designated locations. While it states that it does not affect federal laws protecting the use of mobility aids by people with disabilities, adaptive devices that meet the new definition may generally be prohibited in national parks.
OIG Audit Finds Gaps in VA Education Compliance Surveys
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently reviewed how the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) conducts compliance surveys of schools and training programs that receive GI Bill funding.
In fiscal year 2025, more than 933,000 veterans and beneficiaries received over $13 billion in education benefits. Schools with 20 or more education beneficiaries may be subject to a compliance survey to ensure they meet program requirements.
The OIG found that nearly 650 of more than 7,000 schools—about 8%—were not scheduled for required compliance surveys. The OIG made six recommendations to improve oversight and reporting. The VA agreed with all six and has begun making improvements to prevent similar issues.
OIG Reviews VHA Maternity Care Coordination
The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently reviewed maternity care coordination for women veterans. In fiscal year 2025, about 10,700 women veterans used these services.
The OIG found that maternity care coordinators contacted 73% of pregnant veterans successfully. However, follow-up after delivery was much lower, with only 24% successfully contacted. Required screenings for depression, relationship safety, housing, food security and substance use were also not consistently provided.
Most maternity care is provided through community providers, which can make updating VA health records more difficult. The OIG also found that 40% of veterans reported billing problems, compared with 25% of coordinators.
The OIG made four recommendations to improve postpartum care, screenings, billing and follow-up appointments.
