One thing all Americans can agree on is that those who have served our country in uniform deserve the best care and benefits we can provide in return for their sacrifice.

While representing The Natural State, I have been blessed to engage with countless Arkansan servicemembers and veterans, as well as their families. Their courage, dedication and resilience are inspiring. 

Visiting with these heroes has a direct impact on my legislative priorities, and earlier this summer, I was pleased the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed legislation I authored with veterans and families in focus. 

One frequent concern often brought to my attention involves the difficulties veterans experience when attempting to schedule and coordinate healthcare appointments. That burden should be addressed, which is why I was proud to work with my colleague, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), to co-lead the Improving Veteran Access to Care Act. This legislation would establish a centralized platform that streamlines the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) scheduling system while also allowing multiple visits to be arranged at one time, ultimately simplifying the process and improving access and ease for our veterans.

Additionally, legislation I championed to expand the External Provider Scheduling Program (EPS) to reduce the time necessary for veterans to find and create medical appointments with community providers was also approved by our panel with strong support. Combined, these two bills prioritize empowering those who have served to take control over their healthcare with the help of shorter wait times and increased efficiency.

Combating the mental health and veteran suicide crisis has also been a longtime priority of mine. I am pleased my colleagues also advanced a measure to not only reauthorize, but expand the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program that I designed alongside Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) to provide essential funding for mental health outreach in veteran communities. Without action, funding for this crucial program was set to expire. Instead, we took a key step to continue and enhance this life-saving initiative.

Other significant measures I am championing were also approved by the committee. The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 seeks to raise compensation and benefits rates so they keep pace with inflation, while the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act aims to identify and ensure American-Jewish veterans’ headstones correctly reflect their religious affiliation. Both bills demonstrate our dedication to upholding the dignity of the men and women of our armed forces and appropriately respecting their sacrifices.

Fortunately, progress to support veterans is not limited to the work of our committee.

I was very encouraged by VA Secretary Doug Collins’ recent announcement that the department has set an all-time record for claims processing. We owe former servicemembers the highest quality of care and service without delay, so it is heartening to learn the backlog of veterans waiting to receive earned benefits is down over 37 percent since late January.

The full Senate has also confirmed three more of President Trump’s nominees for positions at the VA as we continue working with the administration to ensure leaders are in place to promote accountability and clear direction.

Taking care of veterans is not a partisan issue. It is our duty to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our nation’s safety and prosperity, and I am pleased to see meaningful progress in fulfilling the promises made to them with strong support from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.