In a rare display of unity, the House unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday to revive a crucial office that represents the families of American veterans.
The “Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act,” also known as H.R. 1228, was passed by the House by a 424-0 vote, demonstrating a strong bipartisan effort to return the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to its former position under the secretary of Veterans Affairs.
The action guarantees that the office will once again be the primary advisor on matters pertaining to military families and the surviving members of the armed forces. According to reports, the bill’s passage overturns a 2021 action that marginalized support for veterans’ survivors.
“To clarify the organization of the Office of Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs,” the bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), amends Title 38, United States Code, according to GovTrack. The Senate is now going to consider the measure.
🇺🇸 HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES PRIORITIZING VETERANS’ SURVIVORS ACT
In a rare 424–0 vote, the U.S. House has passed H.R. 1228, the Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act, signaling strong bipartisan support for restoring the VA’s Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) to its original… https://t.co/agS03Uqa5l pic.twitter.com/aoBon0VBxe
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 10, 2025
Former Georgia Republican lawmaker and VA Secretary Doug Collins recently stated that he supports Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency initiatives to streamline the government, including his department.
“I’ll make choices that are best for my staff and the veterans. They’re looking at things with new eyes and giving us good advice,” Collins told NewsNation. “We must ensure that we are providing the best care possible for the veterans who are out there.”
In a recent video, Collins also addressed “rumors” that Trump would impose significant cuts to veterans’ care and VA benefits.
He declared, “We’re putting Veterans number one back at the VA,” adding that although change can lead to some conflict and uncertainty, the main goal was still to care for veterans.
He denied a number of allegations, including that VA health care would decline. Collins flatly denied this claim, saying that the department has strengthened its benefits and health care by keeping 300,000 mission-critical jobs to ensure services continue. He also refuted a different rumor that said benefits for veterans were being reduced.
“They’re not,” he said, adding that instead of cutting VA spending, the agency had reallocated almost $98 million to Veterans’ care and services.
In response to the rumor that VA was firing Veterans Crisis Line responders, Collins, a colonel and Air Force Reserve chaplain, spoke out.
He assured that those taking crisis calls will continue to be available to assist veterans in need, adding, “We did not lay off any Veteran Crisis Line responders.”
Collins went on to advise Veterans to get information straight from the VA instead of relying on the false information that is spread during political debates.
He made reference to politically motivated but false allegations regarding VA service cuts under the current commander-in-chief, saying, “When you want the truth, come to me, not the Whopper line up on Capitol Hill.”
However, according to Stars and Stripes, Collins did send “an email sent to employees Friday evening that the agency was extending an offer of deferred resignation or retirement prior to a reduction in the workforce that will take place later in the fiscal year.”
Collins stated that workers who are accepted into the program will be paid in full and receive benefits until the fiscal year ends on September 30, the outlet continued.
