Reps. Morgan Luttrell (R) and Tony Gonzales (R) have penned an op-ed, calling on Congress to take stronger action to address the ongoing struggles of America’s service members and their families.
In the Daily Caller op-ed, the Texas Republicans highlighted the burdens that many veterans continue to face long after their time of service has ended.
Post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and service-connected disabilities remain widespread, yet veterans often wait months for claims to be processed or face delays in accessing care.
Because of this, the lawmakers argue that “veterans shouldn’t have to fight the bureaucracy after fighting for their country.”
Among the measures that Reps. Luttrell and Gonzales highlight is the Military Spouse Hiring Act, which adds military spouses to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program. The bill incentivizes businesses to hire spouses of service members, who often struggle with employment due to frequent relocations.
The Texas Republicans also championed the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025, which seeks to make the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) more efficient, expand mental health and addiction treatment, and improve access to care.
Reps. Luttrell and Gonzales noted that House Republicans have taken great strides in advancing efforts to expand telehealth, improve education benefits, and ensure veterans in rural communities receive essential healthcare. They also pointed out that in the first six months of the 119th Congress, a budget reconciliation law delivered direct financial benefits to veterans, which included those in tipped professions and overtime-eligible jobs.
Under VA Secretary Doug Collins, the agency has processed more disability claims than ever before, and there were 300,000 completed in July 2025 alone.
“Supporting our military personnel, maintaining a strong national defense and honoring our veterans aren’t just talking points,” the lawmakers expressed. “They’re core principles that demand action.”
