Kiggans Leads Bipartisan Push to Expand Care, Benefits, and Support for America’s Veterans

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced a bipartisan package of four bills that strengthen veterans’ health, improve access to care, support veteran-owned small businesses, and connect veterans and their families with trusted resources. Together, these bills provide practical, targeted solutions to help veterans live healthier lives, navigate benefits more easily, and remain supported long after their military service. The legislation is co-led by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Wesley Bell (D-MO).

As the nation enters the holiday season, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of advancing legislation that delivers real support to veterans and their families.

“Our veterans deserve more than words of gratitude—they deserve results,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “These bipartisan bills expand access to proven wellness programs, strengthen veteran-owned small businesses, modernize critical VA benefits, and create a trusted place for veterans and their families to get the help they need. As a Navy veteran, taking care of those who have served is personal to me, and I’m proud to introduce this package as we head into the holidays.”

The legislative package includes the Fit Vets Act, co-led by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Joe Neguse (D-CO), which establishes a VA pilot program to provide enrolled veterans with free access to SilverSneakers or a comparable evidence-based fitness program. The initiative promotes mobility, chronic disease prevention, and healthy aging among older veterans—many of whom face health challenges that can be improved through structured exercise and wellness support.

“Supporting our nation’s veterans requires comprehensive solutions that address their physical and mental health as well as the health of their careers post-service,” said Rep. Panetta. “I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Veterans Wellness Act, which would support the healthy aging of our senior veterans, and the Veterans Career Connection Act, which would help create valuable pipelines for veterans as they transition from military service to fulfilling careers as civilians. These crucial pieces of legislation would allow the federal government to fulfill its promise to support veterans of all ages and allow Congress to serve those who stepped up to serve their country.”

Read the Fit Vets Act here. 

Read the one-pager here. 

The package also includes the FAIR (Federal Acquisition Improvement and Reforms) Vets Act, co-led by Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Joe Neguse (D-CO), which updates outdated federal contracting thresholds to ensure service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses are able to compete for more and larger projects. The bill helps level the playing field for veteran entrepreneurs by modernizing rules that have not kept pace with today’s costs and contracting structure.

“These bills will provide incredible assistance to our veterans’ communities. In particular, having a resource for veterans and separating servicemembers to show off their incredible skills proactively is going to be a game-changer,” said Rep. Bacon. “As a retired Brigadier General, I know there are skills you get in the military that can’t be found anywhere else. Adding a tool for companies to browse resumes and find talented candidates for their jobs will be a tremendous boost to veteran employment. I am thankful to be joining my colleagues in supporting these pieces of legislation.”

Read the FAIR Vets Act here. 

Read the one-pager here. 

The Veterans Career Connection Act, co-led by Reps. Wesley Bell (D-MO), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Joe Neguse (D-CO), establishes a national network of “Veterans Connection Hubs”, trusted community-based centers where veterans and their families can access mental health services, benefits navigation, crisis support, employment and transition resources, and other assistance. The hubs are designed to streamline support, reduce confusion, and ensure veterans never have to struggle alone to access the care and benefits they have earned.

“Accessing support shouldn’t be another battle for our veterans,” said Rep. Bell. “This bill creates a simple, trusted pipeline to provide a one -stop shop for our veterans and their families get help quickly and with dignity.  Whether it is assisting veterans will employment resources, or helping families understand their benefits, it should not be complicated for difficult for our men and women in uniform to get the assistance and resources they need when they return to civilian life.”

Read the Veterans Career Connection Act here. 

Read the one-pager here. 

The package also includes my Clarity on Care Options Act, which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to create and maintain a publicly available directory of health-care providers who accept CHAMPVA. This ensures the spouses, survivors, and family members who rely on CHAMPVA can easily find providers willing to treat them, something that is currently far too difficult for families navigating the system.

Read the Clarity on Care Options Act here. 

Read the one-pager here. 

“These bills reflect the best of bipartisan cooperation,” Kiggans continued. “They improve health and wellness, strengthen support services, and make it easier for veterans and their families to access the benefits they deserve. I’m grateful to my colleagues for working with me to get this done.”