Jerry Moran - Ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Jerry Moran - Ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
At a recent Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing, Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the Trump Administration's decision to freeze federal grants, including those at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He emphasized the detrimental effects this move could have on veterans and their families.
Blumenthal stated, “We are here on a morning when all of these [VA] programs are in severe and urgent jeopardy. The Trump Administration has announced – illegally – that it will freeze federal aid for programs that are immensely important to veterans.” He further explained that this halt in funding would impact critical services relied upon by millions of veterans.
During the hearing, Blumenthal questioned witnesses about the potential consequences of freezing federal grants on veteran support programs. He highlighted the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program as an example: “The freeze on funding – that affects vital programs, including suicide prevention programs... That’s a bad decision, would you agree?”
Jim Lorraine, President and CEO of America’s Warrior Partnership, responded by noting the impact: “It freezes our ability. We connected 235 veterans a week through the Fox Grant. That’s 235 veterans I can’t connect to.”
Blumenthal also expressed concern over President Trump's dismissal of VA Inspector General Mike Missal. He praised Missal's non-partisan efforts against waste and fraud under both Republican and Democratic administrations. Blumenthal questioned why such action was taken at this time.
The Trump Administration's grant freeze affects several VA programs essential for American veterans and their families. These include initiatives like the VA Homeless Providers Grants and Per Diem Programs, VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, Legal Services for Veterans Grant Programs, State Veterans Home Care payments, among others.
Senator Blumenthal urged bipartisan cooperation to address these issues swiftly: "This cause must be bipartisan, and it must be immediate." He stressed the importance of maintaining complementary roles between private sector healthcare systems and VA services without compromising either.
Blumenthal remains hopeful for legislative solutions that will restore funding and ensure continued support for veteran care through measures like those proposed by Chairman Tester in previous sessions.
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