I’m proud to have served my country, and I know firsthand the sacrifices that come with wearing the uniform. Our veterans deserve the best, and under President Trump’s leadership, we made historic strides to ensure our heroes receive the care they earned. But under Biden and Harris, we’ve seen our veterans once again pushed aside for the sake of political agendas. The current state of the Department of Veteran Affairs is unacceptable, and it’s time to fix this once and for all. Together with President Trump, we’ll restore the honor and support our veterans deserve.
Under President Trump’s first term, we achieved monumental progress for our nation’s veterans. For instance, he signed the VA Choice and VA MISSION Acts, granting our heroes the permanent option to see their own doctors and access care at non-VA facilities. These reforms made a real impact: 3 in 4 veterans reported improvements at their local VA, with shorter wait times and expanded community care options.
But now, the Biden-Harris administration has allowed our VA system to crumble under the weight of mismanagement, waste, fraud, and leftist initiatives that prioritize bureaucrats over veterans. This has resulted in tragic setbacks for those who have given everything for this country.
The good news? We have a golden opportunity to fix the VA once and for all — and we will. Here’s how:
Just Say No To DEI
In a second Trump administration, merit-based hiring and evaluation must be a top priority.
Let’s ensure that the VA hires and promotes employees based on skills, performance, and dedication to veterans. This approach will strengthen the workforce and ensure veterans are served by the most qualified individuals.
DEI mandates are having destructive and measurable impacts on the VA system. For example, the group Do No Harm recently uncovered that the Biden-Harris administration focused on “diversity” programs even as veterans faced a massive claims backlog.
On day one, President Trump can sign an executive order directing each department head to eliminate required employee trainings that surround, involve, relate, or have any nexus to: “gender identity,” “Critical Race Theory,” “implicit bias,” “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or in any way scapegoats and entire group of people for the outcomes of any other group.
And in Congress, we can pass new legislation codifying that order and ensuring that our federal government is making hiring decisions based on merit and job performance.
Restore Accountability
In their final days in office, the Biden administration recently reinstated thousands of VA employees terminated under President Trump’s first administration.
This included employees engaging in conduct such as sleeping on the job and employees who gained unauthorized access to patient medical records.
Not only were they reinstated but these employees cumulatively received over $134 million in back pay.
Under President Trump, we must again terminate these employees.
Because President Trump will not surrender to Democrat-aligned government unions. And for us in Congress, let’s use this opportunity to build on the 2017 Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act to ensure that employees who fail our veterans will pay the price.
Increasing Choice, Quality Of Care, And Contract Competency
It’s long past due to enhance the VA’s ability to develop and manage contracts that focus on real service outcomes, prioritizing contracts with vendors who demonstrate proven capabilities to meet veterans’ needs effectively and efficiently.
Under President Trump’s leadership, Congress in 2018 passed the VA MISSION ACT to create a VA community care network, allowing veterans to receive timely and quality care from both VA and non-VA providers.
This program is vital for veterans to have the flexibility and choice they need to get the best care possible. But in their final days in office, Biden bureaucrats are quietly aiming to overhaul the entire CCN structure by reducing the number of geographic regions in the entire country from 5 to just 2.
This is good for the swamp, but it’s terrible for veterans. Such an extreme decision would only reduce choice and decrease quality of care.
The good news is, President Trump and the incoming Veterans Health Administration leadership can end this scheme on day one.
And in Congress, we can pass legislation to protect veterans’ healthcare and ensure that decisions on who provides and administers that care is based on merit, capability and performance.
Benefits Delayed Are Benefits Denied
We must ensure that veterans receive the benefits they have earned through their service. The responsibility should be on the VA, not the veteran, to get benefits decisions correct, and VA officials should be held accountable for delays and failures.
Coordinate With DOD On Medical Documentation
It’s time to streamline the VA claims process for transitioning service members, reducing backlogs, and improving access to care. This can be done through increased coordination with Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals to document service-related injuries and conditions as they happen. Our veterans can’t afford delays.
Our veterans didn’t back down when duty called, and now it’s our turn to serve them. Under the leadership of President Trump, we will make the VA a place where our heroes receive the respect, care, and resources they rightfully deserve.
The Biden administration’s incompetence has cost veterans precious time and benefits. But with Trump back in the White House, and fighters like me in Congress, we will restore the VA to its former greatness. We will make sure no veteran is left behind — no more red tape, no more delays, just action and results.
This Veterans Day, let’s not just thank those who served; let’s commit to fighting for them as hard as they fought for us. Together, we’ll honor their sacrifice, fix the VA, and build an America worthy of the brave men and women who defended it.
Because when it comes to our veterans, failure is not an option. Let’s get to work!
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Abe Hamadeh is a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer and proud to now represent Arizona’s 8th Congressional District. Endorsed by President Donald Trump, Abe is on a mission to secure our border, protect our rights, and defend America’s greatness for future generations.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
