Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

H.R. 4509 - NOPAIN for Veterans Act Submitted written statement for the record to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittee on Health (January 13, 2026). Advocated for legislation ensuring VA providers can access a full range of individualized, evidence-based post-surgical pain management options, including non-opioid therapies, without overly restrictive one-size-fits-all barriers. Argued that clinical judgment must guide acute pain care for veterans recovering from surgery or serious procedures. Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102 / S. 1032) - Concurrent Receipt for Combat-Injured Retirees Advocated for elimination of the dollar-for-dollar offset that reduces retirement pay for approximately 52,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired before completing 20 years of service. Communicated that this 'wounded veteran tax' breaks faith with those who sacrificed most and that concurrent receipt of earned retirement pay and VA disability compensation should be permitted. Veterans Mental Health & Suicide Prevention - VA Staffing, Telehealth, In-Person Care Advocated for a comprehensive strategy to address veteran suicide (averaging 17.6 deaths per day). Communicated support for increased VA mental health staffing, expanded telehealth services to reach rural and underserved veterans, and preservation of in-person mental health care. Emphasized that telehealth must complement, not replace, VA mental health professionals. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) - VA Pilot Program for PTSD/TBI Advocated for VA implementation of pilot programs to evaluate Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a covered treatment for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries, citing studies indicating HBOT can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms and improve cognitive function. Urged Congress to direct the VA to expand access to evidence-based alternative treatments. Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act Advocated for legislation ensuring all service days count toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members who serve alongside active-duty counterparts. Communicated that existing education benefit disparities are inequitable given equivalent operational contributions. Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act Advocated for legislation ensuring veterans who lose education benefits due to school closures or fraud have those benefits restored. Communicated that veterans should not suffer financial losses due to circumstances beyond their control. Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act Advocated for comprehensive reforms to support family caregivers of veterans, including provisions addressing financial security, career reemployment, and retirement benefits for individuals who sacrifice their own professional advancement to provide uncompensated daily care. Communicated that caregivers are the backbone of the veterans' care system and must not be left behind when caregiving roles end. Survivor Benefits - DIC Modernization (Remarriage Restriction Repeal / Rate Modernization) Advocated for elimination of the DIC remarriage age restriction and modernization of DIC rates to reflect the true cost of sacrifice. Communicated that surviving spouses should not be forced to choose between financial security and honoring their loved one's wishes, and that current restrictions impose unnecessary financial penalties on Gold Star families. Protecting Veterans' Disability and Retirement Pay from Budget Reductions Advocated against any legislative or executive action to reduce veterans' disability compensation or retirement pay to balance the federal budget. Communicated alignment with VA Secretary Doug Collins's stated opposition to cutting earned veterans' benefits, and emphasized that reducing these benefits undermines national trust and deters future enlistment. Written Informed Consent for Black Box Medications (VA Policy) Advocated for VA policy requiring written informed consent before prescribing psychiatric medications with black box warnings. Communicated that veterans deserve transparency, patient autonomy, and the ability to make fully informed decisions regarding high-risk medications. Protecting the VA as an Institution - Structural and Operational Integrity Advocated for preservation of VA capacity, organizational structure, and services for enrolled veterans. Communicated concerns about any restructuring or resource reductions that would diminish the VA's ability to deliver timely, high-quality care and benefits to the veteran community.

Pay Our Troops Act (S. 3002 / H.R. 5401) Advocated for passage of legislation guaranteeing uninterrupted military pay during government shutdowns or continuing resolution periods. Communicated to committee staff and bill sponsors that pay disruptions harm retention, readiness, and financial stability of enlisted Airmen and Guardians and their families. AFSA's primary priority is full-year defense appropriations on time; this bill serves as a critical backstop. IVF for Military Families Act (H.R. 2557 / S. 1231) Advocated for TRICARE coverage of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments for servicemembers whose ability to start families has been impaired by service-connected injuries or deployments. Emphasized closing the gap between military and federal civilian workforce healthcare access and the importance of family planning support to retention and holistic readiness. Military Family GI Bill Promise Act (H.R. 4540) Advocated for legislation ensuring transferable Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits can be passed to dependents by servicemembers who separate or have children later in life or after separation. Emphasized that no servicemember should lose benefits they rightfully earned and that transferability is a powerful family-focused recruiting and retention tool. H.R. 6976 - Codify Duty Status Reform Advocated for legislation codifying duty status reforms for National Guard and Reserve members to ensure appropriate benefits and protections apply during all periods of service, including those not covered under traditional active duty orders. H.R. 6796 - Military CARE Act Advocated for provisions supporting military caregiver support programs and expanding resources available to servicemembers and their families during and after service. S. 2448 / H.R. 4768 - Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act Advocated for parity in healthcare access, affordability, and quality between military families and the federal civilian workforce, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving the overall TRICARE benefit. H.R. 4381 / S. 2239 - Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act Advocated for legislation improving access to prenatal care for military families, addressing gaps in TRICARE coverage and geographic access to maternity services for servicemembers stationed at remote or OCONUS installations.

H.R. 979, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 S. 315, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 H.Con.Res.12, Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act S.Con.Res.8, A concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act Issues around media ownership Issues around the next generation of broadcast television

S. 1706 and H.R. 4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act - Preserving 199A deduction S. 1108, the Death Tax Repeal Act - Issues related to the estate tax H.R. 2558, the Accelerate Long-term Investment Growth Now Act S. 1166, the ALIGN Act H.R. 4073 and S. 1781, the Duty Drawback Clarification Act H.R. 3721, the USPS Shipping Equity Act - legislation to allow USPS to ship beverage alcohol Monitor policy impacting the regulation of CBD Monitor proposals that would legalize marijuana Monitor progress of the farm bill Monitor proposals impacting the recruitment and retention of CDL drivers

Independent contracting in trucking H.R. 20/S. 852 (Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act)

Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill; IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R.2598/ S.1277), IDEA enforcement and oversight, Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services staffing and enforcement