Veterans Advocacy Roundup: Legislative Updates and Policy Highlights
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) has been active on multiple legislative and regulatory fronts in recent weeks, testifying before Congress, submitting formal comments to federal agencies, and participating in rule making processes that affect disabled veterans and people with disabilities nationwide. Here’s a look at the latest developments.
PVA Testifies on Outdoor Recreation Access for Veterans
PVA Associate Legislative Director Julie Howell testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands, to discuss implementation of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act (P.L. 118-243).
The bipartisan legislation, passed last Congress, aims to modernize and expand outdoor recreation opportunities on federal lands. Title II of the Act focuses specifically on accessibility improvements across national parks and federal lands, including a section on increasing awareness and use of federal lands among servicemembers, veterans, and gold star families.
PVA’s testimony highlighted the vital role that sports and recreation play in the lives of disabled veterans, the programs PVA offers its members, and the need for adequate agency staffing, resources, and interagency cooperation to effectively implement the law. Watch the hearing here.
PVA Weighs In on Universal Changing Table Standards
PVA submitted comments in response to an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) from the U.S. Access Board regarding universal changing tables — also known as adult changing tables — which allow individuals with disabilities to receive caregiver assistance with toileting.
The ANPRM launched the process of establishing accessible design standards for these tables and the rooms that house them, with the resulting standards applying to medium and large hub airports seeking federal development grants. While accessibility standards exist for many restroom features, no enforceable standards currently exist for universal changing tables.
PVA, which participates in a working group developing industry standards for these tables, urged the Access Board to formally adopt those standards and to account for the full range of mobility disabilities. PVA’s comments also addressed technical specifications aimed at improving privacy, accessibility, and sanitation.
House VA Committee Reviews Claims Backlog Progress
The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing to examine VA’s progress in reducing its disability compensation claims backlog. Since the start of the current administration, the backlog has declined by more than 57 percent — a reduction of over 150,000 claims. The hearing also addressed how recent congressional policy changes are helping the Veterans Benefits Administration modernize its processes and deliver decisions to veterans more quickly. You can watch the hearing here.
PVA Addresses Rural Transportation Barriers
PVA submitted comments in response to a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) request for input on its Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative, which addresses the transportation needs of rural and Tribal communities.
PVA’s comments focused on the barriers faced by wheelchair, scooter, and mobility device users in rural areas — particularly the lack of accessible sidewalks and public rights-of-way in downtown areas. PVA recommended that DOT provide resources and technical assistance to improve these conditions, explore the expansion of accessible autonomous vehicles in rural communities, and invest in research on accessible transportation solutions during and after emergency events and natural disasters.
DOJ Delays Web Accessibility Compliance Deadlines
The Department of Justice published an Interim Final Rule delaying compliance deadlines for state and local governments under its 2024 web accessibility rule, issued pursuant to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Under the delay, entities serving populations of 50,000 or more now have until April 26, 2027 — pushed back from April 24, 2026 — to comply. Smaller entities with populations under 50,000 have until April 26, 2028, extended from the previous deadline of April 27, 2027. DOJ cited underestimated burdens on covered entities as justification for the extensions, while noting that existing Title II obligations to ensure accessibility remain in effect regardless of the new deadlines.
PVA joined with other disability organizations in expressing concern about the delay.
House VA Health Subcommittee Advances Veterans with ALS Bill
The House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee held a markup of seven bills focused on care coordination, data collection, and patient navigation. Among them, the Veterans with ALS Reporting Act was reported favorably out of subcommittee and will advance to the full committee for consideration.
The bill would direct VA to produce a comprehensive report on ALS incidence in the veteran population, available resources within VA and the CDC, strategies to reduce ALS rates and expand clinical trial participation, and legislative recommendations to remove barriers for affected veterans.
House Appropriations Committee Approves VA Funding Bill
The House Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal year 2027 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, providing approximately $157 billion in discretionary funding and $323.9 billion in mandatory spending — nearly $470 billion in total, driven largely by increases in veterans’ benefit payments.
While the bill offers a modest overall increase in veterans’ care and benefits funding, VA’s medical and prosthetic research line would see a reduction of approximately $45 million below the enacted level.
PVA welcomed Congress’s continued commitment to core VA programs but expressed concern that incremental funding increases may not keep pace with growing demand — and that declining research investment could slow the development of new therapies and treatments for veterans with catastrophic disabilities.
House VA Subcommittee Examines Pension and Life Insurance Programs
The House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing examining the delivery of VA pension, fiduciary, and life insurance benefits. Chaired by Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), the hearing featured testimony from VA officials, Prudential Financial representatives, and the National President of Gold Star Spouses of America.
Topics included the need for clear and accountable systems for timely benefits delivery, restoration of constitutional due process rights for veterans assigned fiduciaries, and the impact of Survivors Pension and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation on families of those killed in action.
Take Action: FAA Seeks Disability Feedback on Aircraft Evacuation
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a survey seeking input from passengers with disabilities about aircraft evacuation procedures — an area with a significant research gap. Veterans and others with disabilities are encouraged to share their experiences and feedback directly with the FAA. Take the survey here.
