(Washington, D.C) – Vietnam Veterans of America National President Tom Burke presented VVA’s 2026 priorities and initiatives on February 24, 2026, before the Joint Full Committee Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

Burke began his testimony by describing VVA as “an organization born not from comfort or consensus, but from necessity.” He continued, “We learned quickly that if veterans did not fight for each other, no one else would. So, we fought. We fought for ourselves when no one else would. And we won battles many said could not be won. That is how Vietnam Veterans of America was built. And that spirit has never faded. That is who we are.”

[Tom Burke testimony begins at 1:43:26]

Watch the Testimony here...

In his testimony, Burke emphasized that while the VVA name reflects one generation, the mission has never been confined to one. It advocates not only for Vietnam veterans, but for all veterans. Burke went on to highlight several of VVA’s top priorities and initiatives:

• VVA will continue to insist upon full POW/MIA accountability for all wars. It is a sacred obligation, not a discretionary program.
• VVA will advocate tirelessly in the fight for all veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving this country. For too many veterans, the war does not end when they come home, surfacing years later in their bodies. Evidence now demands serious research into how toxic exposure may also affect spouses and biological descendants.
• VVA will continue its practice of working across the aisle on a wide range of legislative issues to ensure that veterans are never used as political leverage. VVA seeks to work with anyone willing to engage in good faith, choosing outcomes rather than sides. We will offer our expertise and opinions directly to any office whenever it is helpful, because results matter more than credit.
• VVA will not accept a system that saves resources while it costs lives. These veteran losses are mostly caused by delay, diffusion of responsibility, and the excuse of complexity. And when systems fail to act, veterans pay with their lives, leading to unacceptable numbers of suicides, homelessness, and difficulties in transition to civilian life within the veteran population.