On March 4, PVA National President Robert Thomas, Jr. testified before a joint session of the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees to present the organization’s public policy priorities. During his testimony, President Thomas emphasized the critical need to restore the Department of Veterans Affairs’ specialized care services, highlighting the urgent requirement for adequate funding and staffing.
President Thomas underscored the essential role that VA-provided care and life-sustaining research play for PVA members. He formally presented PVA’s 2025 Policy Priorities, which will serve as the foundation for the organization’s advocacy initiatives throughout the year.
The comprehensive two-panel hearing lasted nearly three hours. Those interested in viewing the proceedings can access a recording of the hearing [here], with President Thomas’s oral testimony beginning at the 1:59:00 mark. His complete written statement is available [here].
Advocacy Meetings with Congressional Leadership
While in Washington, D.C., President Thomas and members of PVA’s Executive Committee conducted important meetings with key congressional leaders, including:
- Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS)
- Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
- House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL)
- House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA)
During these strategic discussions, PVA leadership voiced concerns regarding the current state of the VA’s spinal cord injuries and disorders system of care and the potential implications of ongoing efforts to reduce federal government size. The meetings also addressed the significance of long-term services and supports for veterans with catastrophic disabilities and emphasized the necessity for Congress to ensure proper implementation of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (P.L. 118-210).
Capitol Hill Accessibility Milestone
On March 6, President Thomas, National Treasurer Tom Wheaton, and National Vice President Anne Robinson attended a ceremony unveiling Capitol Hill’s first accessible drop-off/pick-up zone on the House side. The curb-side briefing highlighted PVA’s instrumental role in establishing this accessibility enhancement.
The event included participation from Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI), Ranking Member Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Subcommittee on Modernization Chairwoman Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and officials from the office of the Architect of the Capitol. PVA CEO Carl Blake was also in attendance at this significant accessibility advancement.
