Policy Vets Briefs is the online newsletter of Policy Vets and provides information of importance to veterans and the veterans’ advocacy community. Policy Vets Briefs is published every two weeks and made available without charge. 

As a distinguished leader in the veteran advocacy and policy space, we are excited to announce the launch of the Policy Vets Briefs. This newsletter will harvest, collect, and highlight information and nonpartisan news clips of importance to the Mil/Vet community. We will deliver the content to you in a succinct email for your morning coffee reading. This newsletter will be published every two weeks, every other Friday.

There is a lot happening in the veteran community, and we hope Policy Vets Briefs will be an important way for you to stay up to date. We know there are many others that publish periodical newsletters that are fantastic, and when they do, we’ll try to include a link to those as well. One that comes to mind right away is the update from Rosemary Williams. She publishes about once every month or so, and her newsletter is chock full of military family and veteran updates. And, of course, there are many VSOs that publish newsletters with a ton of relevant information. We’re happy to include links to their sites as well.

The Policy Vets newsletter is part of our 501c (3) organizational mission to improve public policy for veterans, so of course, there’s no charge for Policy Vets Briefs. Also, we never want to impose on anyone’s inbox, and if this newsletter isn’t right for you, please unsubscribe HERE. If you know someone who might benefit from updates like these, please send this along to them.

We are also pleased to announce Vernon Stewart as the inaugural Policy Vets Brief Editor. Vernon is a talented communications professional and prior service Marine who has worked at VA in Public Affairs and is committed to giving back to others. If you have information of importance to the Mil/Vet community, please feel free to drop Vernon a note at (Editor@PolicyVets.org), and we will be happy to consider recommendations of stories we may have missed.

On behalf of the Policy Vets’ board, Scholars, Fellows, Senior Advisors, and staff, thank you for being part of our professional family of contacts, and we look forward to staying in touch with you in this new ‘hybrid’ professional environment.

David Shulkin, M.D.

Chairman, Policy Vets

Ninth Secretary, US Department of Veterans Affairs

Lou Celli, MSG, USA (Ret)

Executive Director, Policy Vets

August 4, 2023 - Briefs

• VA, AFGE reach ‘historic’ settlement to reinstate, compensate thousands of wrongfully fired feds - VA reaches a settlement with the American Federation of Government Employees, allowing thousands of former VA employees terminated under the 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act to choose reinstatement or compensation. The agreement is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and the exact amount will depend on how many opt to return to their VA jobs. The settlement follows a grievance filed by AFGE in 2018, claiming the Act violated their collective bargaining agreement. The settlement is seen as a positive step for labor-management relations. Federal News Network - Read more.

• Veterans sue U.S. Defense and Veterans Affairs departments to get access to infertility treatments - Lawsuits filed in federal courts in New York and Boston allege that the U.S. Defense Department and Department of Veteran Affairs are obstructing veterans' access to infertility treatments, particularly in vitro fertilization. The suits seek to challenge the discrimination faced by military service members and veterans who don't meet the limited criteria for infertility coverage. The veterans' advocates argue that military service leads to higher infertility rates due to various factors like combat injuries, exposure to toxic chemicals, sexual assault, and PTSD. The lawsuits aim to address the alleged unconstitutionality of denying treatment based on sex, sexual orientation, marital status, or the cause of infertility. Washington Post - Read more.

• House Republicans argue for discipline of ‘bad apples’ at VA - House lawmakers are discussing a bill to expedite the firing of Veterans Affairs employees and limit appeals of those decisions. Republicans see it as a way to restore accountability, but the VA opposes it, fearing time-consuming legal objections and potential overturned disciplinary actions. The bill clarifies previous legislation but faces opposition due to concerns about due process issues and chilling effects on hiring. Unions also object to provisions that could supersede collective bargaining agreements. The debate centers on what's best for veterans and the VA's workforce of nearly 400,000 employees. Federal Times - Read more.

• VA funding plan passes House with more controversial provisions - House Republicans add controversial social issues to the Veterans Affairs appropriations bill in response to President Biden's veto threat. The bill advances with only Republican support, leading to uncertainty in negotiations. Democrats object to restrictions on abortion services and healthcare options for transgender veterans. The bill now heads to the Senate, where its future is uncertain. Military Times - Read more.

• Congresswoman Torres Passes Amendment to Help Veterans Get Jobs Post-Discharge - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres successfully passes an amendment to direct the DoD and VA to study creating pathways for veterans to secure jobs post-discharge. The amendment aims to transfer servicemembers' certifications, like airplane mechanics, to civilian life, removing barriers and supporting veterans' transition to the civilian workforce. Torres also included the Enrique Roman-Martinez Military Cold Case Justice Act in the 2023 government funding bill to improve cold case investigations for fallen servicemembers' families. Congresswoman Norma Torres, Democrat, California's 35th Congressional District - Read more.

• Biden says 3,000 Reserve troops can be sent to Europe to support NATO, Ukraine - President Biden signs executive order deploying up to 3,000 American reservists to support NATO efforts in Europe amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The move aims to enhance the defense of NATO's eastern flank and reinforce existing American forces involved in the defensive operation. The reservists will be available to go to Europe if deemed necessary by commanders in the region. Atlantic Resolve is now designated as a "contingency operation" for added operational flexibility and troop benefits. Stripes.com - Read more.

• Poll says confidence in US military lowest in 25 years - American confidence in the United States military hits a 25-year low, according to a recent Gallup poll. Public perception has fluctuated over the years, with significant upticks after events like the Gulf War and 9/11 but drops following events like the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Military Times - Read more.

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