Veterans
We are blessed in Arizona's Fifth Congressional District to have many veterans among us. These individuals and their families and friends have made countless sacrifices in defense of our freedom. Each one has a story of their service to share, many that include challenging physical, mental, and emotional outcomes that cannot be imagined by those of us who have not served. They fought so that we could live in the land of freedom and opportunity, and we will forever be in their debt.
Despite the many promises we have made to our veterans in return for their service, many still struggle to access care and benefits due to a disappointingly inefficient Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As reported over the past few years, the VA has fallen woefully short of expectations and simple measures of human decency towards America's best. Many VA bureaucrats have put profits and expediency over the health and safety of our nation's heroes, and some of our veterans have endured great hardships or even perished due to their actions. These offenses are inexcusable and never should have been allowed.
The VA has taken steps to reform its policies and procedures, but there is still a lot of work to do. Since the start of the 115th Congress, the House of Representatives has considered several bills to reform the VA, restore accountability to its ranks, and ensure that our veterans are treated with the greatest sense of decency and professionalism for all of their needs. I will continue to advocate for legislation like this until every veteran receives the care that they deserve.
I consider assisting veterans in the Fifth District to be one of the most important responsibilities of my office. If you are a veteran or military family and need assistance obtaining these benefits, please call my office with any questions. My staff and I would be more than happy to assist you.
More on Veterans
Drop Zone 2025 is happening soon! This is the best one-stop resource fair for veterans' services and senior benefits.
Where:
American Leadership Academy
Applied Technologies Campus
7729 E. Pecos Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85212
When:
Saturday, May 3, 2025
10:00 AM-2:00 PM
On-Site Access to the Following:
Today, Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter along with Congressmen Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough seeking information regarding staff shortages at VA facilities in Arizona.
“Our nation has promised care for our veterans and the VA is failing to deliver that promise,” said Congressman Andy Biggs.
“Throughout the greater Phoenix area, there are dozens of vacancies for mental health providers and primary care providers. It’s unacceptable.
On Saturday, Congressman Andy Biggs held his 3rd Drop Zone event at Tri-City Baptist Church in Chandler. Drop Zone is a resource fair for veterans, seniors, and their families to gain easy access to the services they need. Services included free haircuts, VA representatives, taxpayer advocate services, the Arizona Caregiver Coalition, Senior Advisors of the East Valley, and more.
Last week, Congressman Andy Biggs reintroduced the TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act and the TBI and PTSD Treatment Act.
Yesterday, Congressman Andy Biggs sent a letter to David Ferriero, the Archivist at the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, in an effort to hold the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) more accountable for its veterans’ record request backlogs. The NPRC has only recently returned to operating at full capacity after operating at reduced levels since March 2020. During that time significant backlogs developed which have caused hardship for veterans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Biggs led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in introducing the TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act.
PHOENIX — A push in Washington, D.C. could make hyperbaric oxygen treatment available to veterans with traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder.
The veterans would sit in pure oxygen chambers for hours.
"They become less stressed out, less aggressive, they can sleep better, and their IQ improves," said Saad Allawi, director of strategy and operations for Healing Arizona Veterans.
WASHINGTON — Two lawmakers introduced legislation in the House and Senate on Wednesday that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury – an unproven treatment that some veterans have praised as a useful tool in their recovery.