Wheels in Motion — May 2026

Preparations are underway for the upcoming Advocacy & Legislation Seminar, with key deadlines and resources now in place. The registration deadline for all attendees is May 1. As in previous years, PVA National will fund one attendee per chapter, while additional participants may be supported through chapter funds, ACGRD grants, or direct requests to the President (note that these requests were due April 8). For those receiving grant support, approved attendant and caregiver costs are included. This year both Amy Patterson and I will be attending the Seminar and funding has been approved by National for both of us. Chapters should note that while PVA establishes national legislative priorities, there is flexibility to adjust the order of those priorities during meetings with congressional offices—particularly when engaging with committee chairs or offices with jurisdiction over specific issues. The Administration has released its FY2026 budget proposal, requesting $483 billion in total funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes $145 billion in discretionary funding, $55 billion for the PACT Act/ TEF fund, and the remainder allocated to mandatory benefits programs. The proposal represents a $1.6 billion increase over FY2025. Additionally, advanced appropriations for FY2028 include $138 billion in discretionary funding and $54 billion for the Toxic Exposure Fund. Despite these projections, the budget outlook remains uncertain. With this being an election year, Congress is expected to rely on a continuing resolution in September, and final appropriations often differ significantly from initial proposals. Several key legislative efforts are also moving forward: The Disabled Veterans Dignity Act (S.3647), addressing bowel and bladder care, is scheduled for Senate committee review on April 29. A House companion bill is in development and may include provisions for non-taxable payments. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act (S.749) will also be heard on April 29 and aims to extend Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits to surviving spouses of veterans who pass away from ALS in the future. The National Veterans Strategy Act (S.3726), a bipartisan initiative, would require the President to establish a coordinated national strategy for veteran support every four years. In addition, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity may hold a hearing on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) on April 16. PVA is preparing a statement regardless of whether it is formally invited to testify. A growing trend in state legislation is raising concerns among advocates for individuals with disabilities. Several states have introduced or considered laws allowing expectant mothers to use accessible parking spaces. In Florida, such a law has already passed, granting a one-year placard regardless of pregnancy stage. While a legal challenge was dismissed, the case is currently under appeal. PVA continues to oppose these measures, advocating instead for the creation of separate parking spaces for expectant mothers. The organization emphasizes that accessible parking is already insufficient and poorly enforced and expanding eligibility could further limit access for those who rely on it. Chronic staffing shortages across VA facilities continue to impact care delivery nationwide. Chapters report long-standing vacancies, frequent turnover in leadership roles, and delays in hiring critical personnel. In Augusta, Georgia, the VA medical center has experienced an 18-month period of instability in executive leadership, with multiple acting directors. A two-year vacancy in supply management led to the closure of operating rooms for two months, forcing emergency cases to be transferred to local hospitals. Similarly, in Baltimore, a key position

has remained unfilled for over a year due to lack of authorization to post the job. These challenges are affecting patient care in complex ways. Some facilities report keeping patients overnight to maintain staffing levels, while others have discharged patients early to free up beds. Congressional offices are beginning to take notice. Senator Jon Ossoff has been actively engaged in addressing issues in Augusta, and members are encouraged to raise concerns with both facility leadership and their elected representatives. Recent trends indicate a decline in federal enforcement of accessibility laws. The Department of Justice has been dismissing a growing number of ADA complaints, citing high volume and reduced staffing within the Disability Rights Section. Only a limited number of cases have been pursued recently, suggesting enforcement is no longer a top priority. While the U.S. Access Board continues to process complaints under the Architectural Barriers Act for federal properties, progress has been slow. The RAND Corporation is currently conducting a survey to assess the quality of care within the VA’s spinal cord injury system. Members with email addresses have received personalized survey links, and participation is incentivized with a gift card. There is a particular need for increased participation from members in the Northeast region, which remains underrepresented. Additional reminder emails will be sent, and members are encouraged to complete the survey using their unique link, as no general access link is available.

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