With Honor Action Joins 34 Veterans Organizations and Bipartisan Members of Congress in Push to Pass Written Informed Consent Act

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

For Immediate Release

Contact: Brian Le, le@withhonor.org

With Honor Action Joins 34 Veterans Organizations and Bipartisan Members of Congress in Push to Pass Written Informed Consent Act

The bipartisan bill would require written consent before the VA prescribes medications carrying FDA suicide-risk warnings.

Washington, D.C. — April 28, 2026 — With Honor Action, alongside For Country Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), caucus member Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), the Grunt Style Foundation, and 33 other veterans organizations today urged Congress to pass the Written Informed Consent Act (H.R. 4837 / S. 3314), bipartisan legislation that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain written informed consent before prescribing veterans medications that carry FDA warnings related to suicide risk.

Under current VA practice, written informed consent, the process by which patients are formally educated about the risks and benefits of their treatment, applies only to long-term opioid prescriptions. The Written Informed Consent Act would extend that requirement to other high-risk medications, including stimulants, narcotics, and antipsychotics.

“With Honor Action stands behind this bill because informed veterans are better-positioned to manage their own health and advocate for themselves within the VA system,” said Scott Cooper, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for With Honor Action. “Expanding written informed consent to high-risk medications is a commonsense step that protects patients and builds trust between veterans and their providers.”

“It’s at the core of this bill, it’s about something that is simple, but essential. It’s about ensuring veterans and their families are able to make informed decisions about their healthcare,” said Rep. Don Davis, Co-Chair of the For Country Caucus.

“Veterans deserve to be fully informed about the serious risks of the medications they are prescribed,” said Tim Jensen, President of The Grunt Style Foundation. “Written informed consent empowers veterans, improves safety, and strengthens — rather than discourages — access to mental health care. This is a straightforward, bipartisan solution that can help prevent unnecessary tragedies.”

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About With Honor

With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans across party lines who pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage. With Honor Action works alongside the bipartisan For Country Caucus in Congress to pass critical legislation for our nation. With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund III. Learn more about our work at WithHonor.org.

With Honor Action and HillVets Host VSO Reception on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action and HillVets hosted a veteran service organization (VSO) reception on Capitol Hill to bridge the gap between grassroots advocacy and legislative power.

Alongside the nearly 40 veteran legislators of the For Country Caucus, With Honor Action is committed to amplifying the military veteran voice in the areas of national security, national service, and veterans affairs issues. Engaging directly with advocates and strengthening connections with organizations that serve those who served our country in uniform remains one of the cornerstones of our work.

We were joined by Chamber of Mothers, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Hiring Our Heroes, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the The National Guard Association of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), the Reserve Organization of America (ROA), Student Veterans of America, The American Legion, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) participating and fostering important collaborations.

Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) in Childcare for Military Families Act

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action endorses H.R. 8336 / S. 4335: Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) in Childcare for Military Families Act, sponsored by For Country Caucus member Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA), a Navy veteran, and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), an Army Veteran, and co-led by Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

“When service members don’t have reliable, affordable childcare, it causes stress that follows them into the field, onto the ship, into the cockpit, and ultimately on deployment,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “The HERO in Childcare for Military Families Act recognizes the sacrifices our military families make to serve this nation, and provides the support they need to ensure mission success. With Honor Action is proud to endorse this legislation, and we thank With Honor Senate ally Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, For Country Caucus member Rep. Jen Kiggans, and Rep. Sara Jacobs for their commitment to our military families.”

As of early 2026, approximately 7,800 military children remain on waitlists for spots in Department of Defense Child Development Centers. Because of this, childcare places a significant strain on military families and service members. Spouses are often forced to forego employment to care for their children because of a lack of accessible, affordable childcare. It also poses a readiness issue, as service members are forced to juggle family responsibilities when duty calls.

Honoring Our Nation’s Obligation to Remember (HONOR) Gold Star Families Act

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action endorses H.R. 7932: Honoring Our Nation’s Obligation to Remember (HONOR) Gold Star Families Act, sponsored by For Country Caucus member Representative Matt Van Epps (R-TN), and co-sponsored by For Country Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Don Davis (D-NC) and Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX), members Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Representative Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Representative John James (R-MI), Representative Tom Barrett (R-MI), along with Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Representative William Timmons (R-SC), Representative Derrick Van Orden, Representative John Rose (R-TN), Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN), Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Representative Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Representative Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ), and Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-NMI).

“Our Gold Star Families endure the highest sacrifice in service to our nation. In the wake of tragedy, they deserve steadfast support,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor Action is proud to endorse the HONOR Gold Star Families Act to increase the bridge payment for the families of our fallen service members. We thank For Country Caucus members Reps. Matt Van Epps and Jen Kiggans, and Rep. Jill Tokuda, for supporting our Gold Star Families and honoring those who’ve given their lives for this country.”

This legislation doubles the military “death gratuity” or bridge payment from $100,000 to $200,000 for the families of fallen servicemembers and also includes a cost-of-living adjustment so future payments take inflation into account. In light of the deaths of seven servicemembers in the Middle East following Operation Epic Fury, the legislation also applies retroactively to the beginning of 2026 to ensure those families receive the enhanced benefit.

With Honor Action Sends Letter on VALID Act Inclusion in the ROAD to Housing Act

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

On March 27, 2026, With Honor Action, along with Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, The American Legion, Blue Star Families, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and National Association of Mortgage Brokers, sent a letter to Senator Tim Scott, Chair, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Representative French Hill, Chair, and Representative Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services on giving special consideration to the VA Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act, H.R. 3694 / S.1932, which was included as Sec. 602 of the ROAD to Housing Act, and ensure it remains – in its entirety – in any final housing bill negotiations.

Dear Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren, Chairman Hill, and Ranking Member Waters,

We thank you for your thoughtful consideration as you’ve worked on your respective housing bills. We believe that the American people are best served by bipartisan, common-sense solutions, and we appreciate the way you have crossed the aisle to craft these bills to ensure Americans’ access to affordable housing.

As each Chamber works to resolve the differences between your respective bills, we ask that you give special consideration to the VA Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act, H.R. 3694 / S.1932, which was included as Sec. 602 of the ROAD to Housing Act, and ensure it remains – in its entirety – in any final housing bill negotiations.

The Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure, which applies to FHA mortgages and conventional loans, does not require mortgage lenders to disclose the VA loan rate to eligible borrowers. The VALID Act solves this problem by requiring a side-by-side comparison of conventional, FHA, and VA home loans, enabling borrowers to fully understand their options and the resources available to them. It also ensures that the military service question on the Uniform Residential Loan Application form is required, so borrowers understand their available benefits from the start.

In 2024, more than 58,000 eligible VA borrowers did not utilize the VA home loan benefit, representing billions of dollars in potential homeownership opportunities that went unrealized. Today, only 10-15% of eligible veterans are using this benefit. Many service members and veterans are unaware of VA home loan options, and are often steered towards conventional mortgages due to incomplete information on their options. Billions of dollars are being left on the table, and veterans and service members remain unaware of this critical benefit that they have rightfully earned through their service.

For veterans and service members, the ability to purchase a home is more than just securing a roof over their heads; it is the cornerstone of the American Dream they swore an oath to protect. Homeownership provides a stable foundation that allows military families to build equity and achieve long-term financial security after years of transient service. By lowering barriers to entry and streamlining the VA loan process, Congress isn’t just facilitating a transaction—they are empowering veterans to establish generational wealth that will support their children and grandchildren for decades to come.

We appreciate the Committees’ bipartisan leadership and encourage you to include the VALID Act language in its entirety in any conferenced final bill text. Thank you for your time and consideration.

With Honor Action Submits Statement for the Record Supporting Veterans Legislation

Posted on by Brian Le

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, With Honor Action submitted a Statement for the Record for a legislative hearing in support of H.R. 4105, Veterans Energy Transition (VET) Act of 2025 , and H.R. 2878, Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act.

The Veterans Energy Transition (VET) Act of 2025

Led by For Country Caucus members Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), a Navy veteran, and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), an Air Force veteran, this legislation would expand the pipeline of skilled workers by enabling veterans, separating service members, and military spouses to transition into critical roles across the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Key Provisions:

  • Creates a Department of Labor grant program for energy and advanced manufacturing companies that hire eligible separating service members, veterans, and spouses.
  • Provides up to $10,000 per hire and $500,000 per employer annually for training, certification, relocation, and onboarding expenses.
  • Prioritizes veterans with service-connected disabilities or experiencing homelessness.
  • Authorizes $60 million for the program for each of Fiscal Years 2026 through 2031, with a 15% cap on administrative costs

The Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act

Led by For Country Caucus member Rep. Zach Nunn, a currently serving Iowa Air National Guardsman, this legislation would ensure separating service members and veterans have clear, timely access to mental health resources by expanding information and hands-on assistance during and after their transition to civilian life.

Key Provisions:

  • Requires that counseling provided under the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Transition Assistance Program include mental health information, including:
    • Availability of mental health services through the DoD, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and non-profits.
    • Treatment options for PTSD, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), depression, and other chronic issues.
    • Suicide risk factors, signs, and prevention resources.
    • Support for substance abuse.
  • Expands the VA’s Solid Start program to include education on the mental health and counseling services available through the VA.

You can read the full statement here.

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