Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D) announced his opposition to House Republicans' "Take Care of America's Veterans Act," arguing the legislation would reduce disability for future veterans, increase home loan costs, and weaken veterans' health care while using the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act as political cover.
Why did Gonzalez oppose the bill?
Rep. Gonzalez said he stood with South Texas veterans in opposing H.R. 9237, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, after House Republican leaders attempted to bring the legislation to the floor.
According to Gonzalez, the measure would make significant changes to veterans' benefits, including disability compensation, health care, and home loan programs. He said the bill was ultimately pulled from consideration.
What Gonzalez is saying
Gonzalez argued the federal government has an obligation to support veterans after their military service.
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez: "When a veteran returns from service, our government has a responsibility to provide them with the resources and support they've rightfully earned."
He also criticized Republican leadership for combining the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act with broader veterans policy changes.
Rep. Gonzalez continued: "Today, extreme Republicans in Washington tried advancing a radical bill that weaponized meaningful legislation, like the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act, to provide themselves political cover as they attempted to implement the largest cut to veterans benefits in a generation."
What H.R. 9237 would do
According to Gonzalez's office, the legislation would:
- Reduce more than $57 billion in future disability benefits affecting approximately 1.5 million veterans with tinnitus and sleep apnea.
- Increase VA home loan refinancing fees from 0.5% to 1.42%, raising costs for veterans refinancing mortgages.
- Create a $500 million information technology fund that Gonzales described as a "slush fund."
- Allow reductions in VA disability ratings through statutory changes.
- Expand private-sector veterans' health care programs while shifting resources away from VA mental health and PTSD services.
- Allow for GI Bill funding to be used at for-profit and unaccredited online institutions.
The Bottom Line
The debate over H.R. 9237 highlights broader disagreements over how to fund veterans' benefits and military retirement programs. Gonzalez says Congress should advance the Major Richard Star Act independently rather than pairing it with broader changes to veterans' programs.
