Rep. Van Epps Honors Our Nation’s Veterans, Reflects on Record of Advocacy in Congress

November 11, 2026 Press Release Rep. Van Epps Honors Our Nation’s Veterans, Reflects on Record of Advocacy in Congress Washington, D.C. - Rep. Van Epps released the following statement in honor of Veterans Day, recognizing the sacrifices of America’s veterans, servicemembers, and military families: “On Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform and defended the freedoms we hold dear. Their service and sacrifice represent the very best of America, and our responsibility to them does not end when they take off the uniform. We owe our veterans, servicemembers, and their families more than words of gratitude. We owe them action. “Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration are working to deliver on that responsibility by getting veterans the support they need, strengthening military pay and benefits, improving the quality of life for military families, investing in our military installations, and ensuring our servicemembers have the resources they need to accomplish their missions. “Since taking office, the Trump administration has made supporting our veterans a top priority. The Department of Veterans Affairs has processed a record number of disability claims, cut processing times by nearly 50%, and reduced the claims backlog by 70%, helping veterans receive the benefits they have earned more quickly. In addition, the Trump administration has opened 43 new VA healthcare facilities since January 2025 and enrolled more than 300,000 veterans in VA healthcare in 2026. “I’m proud to support these efforts and to build on them by introducing legislation of my own to ensure Gold Star families receive the support they deserve and that National Guard members are treated fairly when called upon to serve. “This Veterans Day, we honor every veteran, every servicemember currently standing watch, and every military family that makes extraordinary sacrifices in service to our country. We will continue working to ensure America keeps its promises to them. “America is strongest when we stand behind the men and women who stand in defense of our country. We have more work to do, but I will continue fighting to ensure our veterans receive the care and respect they have earned, our servicemembers have the resources they need, and our military families are taken care of. To all who have served, and to the families who have stood beside them, thank you. Happy Veterans Day.” Background: Rep. Van Epps has supported a range of legislative efforts to strengthen our military and improve the lives of those who serve. His work includes introducing legislation, advancing key defense priorities, and supporting measures that put servicemembers and their families first. Delivering for Veterans. Rep. Van Epps has also cosponsored several pro-veteran bills: H.R.8194 - Agent Orange Service Medal Act H.R.7704 - VA Call Center Multi-Factor Authentication Act H.R.3057 - National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum Act H.R.2102 - Major Richard Star Act H.R.1502 - North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act H.R.1004 - Love Lives On Act of 2025 Putting Servicemembers and Military Families First HONOR Gold Star Families Act (H.R. 7932) : Rep. Van Epps introduced this legislation to double the military death gratuity from $100,000 to $200,000 and index the benefit to inflation. Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act (H.R. 8281) : Rep. Van Epps introduced this bill to ensure National Guard members serving on federally directed law enforcement missions receive the same federal benefits as those serving during declared national emergencies. The legislation closes a gap in federal law that has left Guardsmen supporting high-risk missions alongside agencies such as ICE, DEA, and ATF without equal treatment. Duty Status Reform Act (H.R. 6976) : Rep. Van Epps cosponsored this bill to modernize outdated duty status rules so National Guard members and reservists receive the pay, benefits, and protections they have earned when called to serve. Rep. Van Epps also voted to support a number of important provisions in the House FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act and subsequent appropriations legislation, including: Higher military pay: A 3.8% pay increase for servicemembers, while continuing an additional 10% pay raise for junior enlisted personnel. Better healthcare support: An additional $12.9 billion for TRICARE supplemental medical coverage for retired servicemembers. Increased family separation pay: Raising monthly compensation to $300 for servicemembers required to serve away from their families. Improved food allowances: Updating food allowances to help ensure junior enlisted servicemembers can afford adequate meals without relying on food assistance. Protecting military healthcare personnel: Safeguarding military medical staffing to preserve access to care at military installations. Expanded medical travel assistance: Increasing travel reimbursements so military families can access specialty medical care, even when treatment is far from home. Stronger military installations: Increasing military construction funding by nearly $850 million above the requested level, providing $19.7 billion for military construction and $1.8 billion for family housing. These investments include improvements that would directly benefit Fort Campbell. Safer military housing: Cracking down on mold and unsafe housing conditions through mandatory independent inspections. More childcare support: Expanding childcare assistance for military families, including access to in-home care for young children. His amendments in the FY2026 House National Defense Authorization Act seek to: Improve defense innovation: NDAA Amendment #302 would require annual reporting on how successfully military prototype projects transition into procurement, production, and operational use, helping identify barriers that prevent innovative technologies and nontraditional defense contractors from delivering capabilities to our warfighters. Strengthen weapons production: NDAA Amendment #303 would require the Department of War to assess how quickly and at what cost production of critical munitions and weapons systems could expand to 150%, 200%, and 500% of current levels, identifying supply chain vulnerabilities, investment needs, and production bottlenecks. Protect military installation infrastructure: NDAA Amendment #304 would require the identification and assessment of aging water and wastewater systems at military installations, prioritizing infrastructure more than 60 years old that could threaten readiness, servicemember health, military families, and mission execution.