The House unanimously passed H.R. 1228, the “Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act,” with a 424-0 vote, restoring the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to its original role advising the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on policies affecting military families and survivors.
This move reverses a 2021 decision that had reduced the office’s influence.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), now heads to the Senate.
VA Secretary Doug Collins reaffirmed the department’s commitment to veterans, rejecting rumors of benefit cuts or layoffs. He emphasized efforts to improve care, including preserving 300,000 key positions and redirecting $98 million to services.
Collins urged veterans to seek accurate information directly from the VA amid political misinformation and confirmed no layoffs at the Veterans Crisis Line.
