 Last week, veterans social media feeds erupted over a month's old report from the Congressional Budget Office, otherwise known as the CBO, for including a proposal to reduce the federal deficit by performing a means test for veterans receiving VA disability compensation. Our National Legislative Department has been fielding calls all week to address veterans concerns over this proposal, and we are here today to discuss what that means, if it has any traction, what DAV is doing about it, and how folks can stay informed about proposals like these and how veterans can get more actively involved in protecting their benefits. Thank you for joining me today, Shane. Thank you, Kevin. Glad to be here. Excellent. Shane, let's start off by letting folks know what a means test is and how that would potentially impact veterans receiving VA disability compensation benefits. Well, when they use the phrase means testing, which other federal agencies use, they're talking about basing what you receive on the income you receive outside of the program. So in this suggestion, what they're trying to do is propose that compensation be based on a means test being based on your receipt of income going forward. Okay. That makes sense. Can you tell us what is the Congressional Budget Office and what is their role? Absolutely, Kevin, and thanks. The CBO or the Congressional Budget Office is a nonpartisan organization within Congress whose sole function is to analyze potential pieces of legislation for cost, and they issue reports throughout every year on analyzing the economic, budgetary, and financial implications of bills, laws, and the status of the United States government. Great. Thanks for explaining that for our audience today. That's very helpful. Can you elaborate on Davey's stance on this proposal from the CBO? Absolutely. Just to give a little point of clarification, in December of 2022, CBO issued a report outlining options for reducing the federal deficit. They do this every two years prior to the start of a new Congress. And they make recommendations or suggestions or provide options across the federal government on reducing spending. This came out in that report about the means test, and along with several other ideas that we don't think are going to work. But just to clarify, CBO is not a policy arm. They are not a legislative arm. So these suggestions they're making are just that. It's not a change to VA policy, and it's also not a change or an introduction to a piece of legislation. So that's all they are is suggestions. In order for those to go be brought forward or carried forward, it would have to be introduced as a piece of legislation into Congress by a member of Congress, or it would have to be a policy change by the VA. Now currently, as recently as last week, the VA secretary was brought this question forward at one of his press conferences and clearly indicated VA will not be changing their policy on this. They believe it's a bad idea, and they don't recommend that any legislation be introduced. Currently there is no legislation being introduced on any of the options from the CBO report to include the means testing. And it would have a horrific impact on veterans because it would reduce the amount of compensation you would see based on your income. Now there is no traction anywhere on this right now. We know that it's been reported a lot on social media and YouTube channels and places. But based on our conversations within the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus our relationships with the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, no one is seriously looking to introduce any legislation that would reduce benefits based on the CBO report. You know, that's great to hear, but veterans and their family can find at least a little comfort for now knowing that there's no traction to this proposal and that DAV is taking active stance in any potential cuts to veteran benefits. Absolutely. We've been on this since the report was released in December. We're fully aware of it, had discussions internally, and we've had discussions within VA and the committees. And I don't think we would, it'd be hard to find a member of Congress willing to introduce a piece of legislation that would intentionally cut veterans' benefits. We're not aware of anybody looking to do anything like this at all. And we still must remain vigilant on these issues because some of these ideas can come forward throughout. A few years back, there was a proposal that came from this report, I think back in 2016, where they were looking at potentially reducing the age of veterans receiving individual unemployability. They were to reach a certain age. They would reduce their individual unemployability compensation. That was included as part of a former president's budget. Once it hit the light of day and the VSO community got involved, everybody was backpedaling so quickly and it disappeared very fast. So we are remaining vigilant because we know these things can come forward, but DAV will always stand against and oppose any cuts to veterans' benefits or VA programs as part of our mission statement. So we're always going to remain vigilant to keep an eye out to make sure none of these bad ideas come to the light of day. That's great to hear, Shane. To let folks know who are listening in today, how can they stay informed about this proposal and other veterans' legislation? Our legislative team has what we call the DAV Commanders Action Network, or DAVCAN. We send out campaigns on the legislative orders about all sorts of issues and bills that DAV supports based on our resolution process and those that guide what DAV can and cannot support. So to get involved and be aware of what's going on and even take action on those emails and email directly to your members of Congress, go to DAVCAN.org, sign up, stay in the fight and be aware of what's going on. That's great. It's always important for veterans, their family and supporters to stay vigilant and get the most accurate up-to-date information possible. So just to reiterate, make sure you go to www.DAVCAN.org and sign up so you can stay involved. And also if veterans are interested in getting more actively involved in ensuring their benefits are protected, how can they do that, Shane? Joining DAV and becoming a member will help keep you engaged in everything we do and give you a voice in our resolution process, which I just briefly noted. Our entire legislative agenda is based on resolutions or ideas that come from our members and chapters and departments around the country. That's what we base our focus on. So if veterans want their voice heard, come a member of DAV, write a resolution and help us stand up against potential bad ideas like this or have a new idea to improve access, benefits, health care for all our fellow veterans. So yeah, to reiterate, like Shane said, go to www.DAVCAN.org, learn more about membership, join over a million other veterans, and come be a part of our voice here in DC and make sure you stay involved. So our benefits are protected now and for future generations. And with that, Shane, I really appreciate your time today to explain this proposal from the CBO for our audience and kind of given the most up-to-date accurate information possible. Again, thank you very much and have a great day. Thanks, Kevin.