Support for Veteran Careers

I am committed to ensuring that those who served have every resource necessary to thrive in the workforce. I want to highlight several key improvements to the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program that the House, with my support, recently passed in H.R. 980. 

The VR&E program is designed to bridge the gap between military service and a civilian career by providing professional counseling, job training, and educational assistance. To make this program more effective for you, we have secured several enhancements:

• Expanded the types of training available.
• Increasing VA flexibility to provide on-campus counseling.
• Ensuring the VA is more proactive in reaching out to eligible veterans.

Navigating rehabilitation planning can be daunting, but these changes are aimed at cutting red tape and prioritizing veteran success. If you have a service-connected disability that affects your ability to work, I encourage you to look into how these expanded services can help you reach your next professional milestone.

Supporting Veteran Families & Veteran Homes

I also want to share a legislative update that goes beyond just policy and focuses on dignity for our veteran families. Currently, a gap in federal law creates unnecessary hurdles for survivors when a veteran passes away before receiving their final, approved pension payments. To fix this, I supported the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act.

This bill ensures that any unpaid pension benefits due at the time of a veteran’s death are promptly paid to their surviving spouse, children, dependent parents, or estate. By closing this loophole, we can prevent delays and provide financial certainty to families during difficult moments of grief. Our commitment to those who served must extend to the families who stood by them.

Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars

I sat down with members of the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to discuss how we can better deliver on our promises to those who served. As a proud cosponsor of the Veterans’ ACCESS Act (H.R. 740), which was passed out of committee, I am pushing to streamline our community care programs so veterans can spend less time navigating red tape and more time with their doctors. 

Looking ahead, the FY26 MilConVA Appropriations bill fully funds veterans’ healthcare, supports the new National Center for Warrior Independence to combat homelessness, and includes vital protections for veterans' Second Amendment rights. Our heroes should not have to choose between their healthcare and their constitutional rights, and I will continue to advocate for a VA system that is transparent, modern, and, above all, veteran-centered.

Mobile Office Hours

My office will hold mobile office hours in Milan on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Milan City Hall. 

This is an opportunity for you to connect with my office, share your comments or concerns on policies, and ask questions. They can also help you with any issues you might be having with a federal agency. For questions regarding the mobile office hours, please contact my office at 320-403-6100.

Thank you for reading!

fischbach.house.gov

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