Supporting Our Veterans in East Texas

In March, I had the privilege of sitting down with a dedicated group of Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) from across our region for an open and productive roundtable discussion. I was joined by VSO representatives from Cass, Marion, Morris, Bowie, Upshur, and Harrison Counties, as well as Cass County Judge Travis Ransom. I am deeply grateful to each of them for the tireless work they do every day on behalf of our veterans and their families.

It was a valuable conversation to hear firsthand about the challenges these officers face in each of their capacities, the gaps they see in the system, and the ideas they have for making it better. The men and women in that room are on the front lines of veteran services, and their insight is invaluable to the work we do for our veterans in Washington.

I'm encouraged that this effort has strong leadership behind it. Secretary Doug Collins and President Trump have made it clear that championing our veterans is a top priority, and I will continue to work alongside them to ensure those commitments translate into real results for the men and women who served our nation.

A Conversation with Veterans Committee Chairman Mike Bost

This week, I sat down with House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL-12)—Marine Corps veteran, son and grandson of veterans, and grandfather of two active-duty Marines—for a candid conversation ahead of Memorial Day.

Chairman Bost gave us a firsthand look at two significant bills moving through the House this week:

• The Briley-Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which delivers long-overdue benefit increases for families and our most catastrophically disabled veterans. Click here to watch the Chairman’s conversation on this legislation.
• The Veterans' Second Amendment Protection Act, which would permanently protect veterans from having their gun rights stripped away without due process simply for having a financial fiduciary. Click here to watch the Chairman’s conversation on this legislation.

He also shared a deeply personal reflection on the meaning of Memorial Day, the history behind it, and what he hopes every American takes away from it this year.

For the 42,000 veterans across the First District of Texas, Chairman Bost also had an important message about accessing VA benefits closer to home—without the long drive to a full-service facility.

Watch or listen to the full interview to hear it straight from the Chairman himself > > .

National Defense Authorization Act FY2026

In December, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA) to invest in America’s national defense. The legislation provided real wins and support for our veterans.

Key reforms to veterans’ programs and assistance:

• Waiver for Certain Members of the Reserve Components — Provides a waiver for certain members of the Reserve, allowing them to attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) every three years, unless there is relevant new information.
• Pilot Program for Military Spouses — Makes it easier for spouses to receive TAP information by creating a program specific to spouses and meet the needs that transition is an event for the whole family, not just the service member.
• Enhanced Financial Planning Counseling — Expands TAP’s financial guidance to include individualized counseling on loans, debt management, and overall financial readiness.
• Strengthened Requirement for Separation Counseling — Ensures pre-separation counseling is delivered in person whenever possible to improve quality and engagement.
• Tracking TAP Timeliness and Participation — Directs DoD to monitor when servicemembers begin TAP to improve accountability and ensure timely access to transition resources.
• Improved Access to Veteran Resources — Requires VA to maintain an online resource hub allowing veterans and families to easily search by ZIP code for local programs and assistance.
• Annual Reporting on TAP Outcomes — Mandates detailed yearly reporting on TAP participation, completion rates, and counseling timelines to drive program improvement.

Codified legislation and expansion of individual longitudinal exposure record:

• Automatic Inclusion of Exposure Data in Service Records — Ensures toxic exposures are documented during service, preventing veterans from having to prove exposures years later.
• Improved DoD–VA Information Sharing — Grants VA clinicians, researchers, and benefits staff full access to exposure information, strengthening care, claims decisions, and long-term research.
• Support for Faster, Fairer VA Claims — Provides VA with a veteran’s complete exposure history upfront, reducing delays and unnecessary denials as new veterans apply for VA disability compensation benefits.

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Appropriation FY2026

Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program

Our office is proud to participate in the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program, which places Veterans, Gold Star Family Members, and Active-Duty Spouses in two-year roles with the U.S. House of Representatives. Through this program, we welcomed Nathaniel to our constituent services team—and his commitment to those we serve has been exceptional. Nathaniel enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2008, served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and later joined the Texas Army National Guard, supporting emergency response, security, and civil support missions here at home.

Today, Nathaniel brings that same dedication to our constituent services team, helping veterans, service members, and their families navigate federal agencies—particularly the VA. His goal is straightforward: make sure every veteran and military family feels heard and that their case keeps moving forward. I am grateful for his service to our nation and Texas’ First District.

Learn about the program here.

Academy Send-Off

Last weekend, I hosted an Academy Send-Off event to celebrate six exceptional individuals who have been exemplary in our community. As your Representative, I have the privilege of nominating young men and women to attend our U.S. Service Academies—U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Each of these six nominees stood out among a highly competitive field of applicants. They were evaluated on their academic performance, physical fitness, leadership potential, and character — and every one of them rose to the occasion. As they prepare to embark on this next chapter, they carry with them the support and pride of the communities that shaped them.

My Office is Here to Help

My office assists East Texas veterans with the VA to ensure they get a response and a result on a range of issues.

Do you need help with a federal agency? If you are unable to get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or help you obtain information you need. If you need casework assistance, go to moran.house.gov or contact the Tyler District Office at (903) 561-6349.

On May 23,1903, Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewall Crocker embarked on the first transcontinental automobile trip. At the time there were few paved roads, questionable maps, no gas stations, no rest stops, and no fast food. The 5,600-mile journey—from San Francisco to New York City—took just over 63 days and required 800 gallons of gas.

Dealing with federal agencies can be complicated, and my office is here to help. If you need help with Social Security, the IRS, passport renewals, the VA, or other federal agencies, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (903) 561-6349 or visiting my website.

It is an honor to be your voice in Congress.

With gratitude,

Nathaniel Moran

Member of Congress