David Warren | Veterans Policy

Part 1 — Where the story begins Sgt. Mendoza didn’t set out to become a caregiver. But when her husband’s battle didn’t end with the uniform, hers didn’t either. She continued serving, as both a soldier and a caregiver. The Major Richard Star Act honors service like his. But it also reminds us of something just as important: Not every veteran needs a caregiver. But when they do, everything changes. Behind many wounded veterans is a caregiver carrying the weight too. Families like theirs are not alone. Today, 54,000+ combat-injured veterans and their families are still living that reality. Congress passed the Elizabeth Dole Act to help. But 451 days later, $20 million for caregiver mental health still hasn't been distributed. Caregiver support is suicide prevention. Repost to bring attention to the caregivers still waiting. 🇺🇸 #Veterans #HiddenHeroes

The Mendoza family’s story is a powerful reminder, but it isn’t unique. There are an estimated 14.3 million military & veteran caregivers in the U.S. according to the latest research. This is one of thousands across the U.S. where military and veterans families are carrying the weight of service long after the uniform comes off. Awareness is the first step, but legislation and oversight is the solution. 1. We must pass the Major Richard Star Act to end the "offset" tax on our combat-injured veterans. 2. We must demand Oversight of Section 122 of the Elizabeth Dole Act. The $20M in High Priority Caregiver Mental Health Grants were promised—now they must be distributed. We don't just tell stories to be heard; we tell them to drive change. #MajorRichardStarAct #ElizabethDoleAct

@DeptVetAffairs $112M for suicide prevention is important. It would be good to see the same level of outreach for caregiver mental health—like the 20M funding set aside under Section 122 of the Elizabeth Dole Act. Supporting caregivers is part of supporting veterans.

VA is offering $112 million in grants to support community-based suicide prevention efforts. Funding is available to organizations that provide outreach, services, and support to Veterans in their communities. Eligible organizations can apply to help strengthen local suicide prevention programs and reach Veterans where they live. To learn more or apply, visit VA.gov #Veterans #VA

When service comes home, so does the responsibility—and too often, the burden falls on families alone. 14.3M caregivers—and millions of children behind them—deserve to be seen, supported, and valued. #HiddenHeroes #MilitaryCaregivers #VeteranFamilies #HiddenHelpers

@SenRickScott @POTUS Senator, you’re right—Americans shouldn’t come last. That includes the 54,000 combat-injured veterans waiting on the Major Richard Star Act. You are a lead sponsor, yet it’s sat idle for 387 days with fewer than 100 legislative days left. Let’s get that recorded vote NOW. ⏰

Senate Democrats have proven again and again that they put Americans LAST. We can’t let that happen. The filibuster was never meant to be used as a weapon to BLOCK @POTUS’ America-first agenda. It’s time to BLOW UP the filibuster and FULLY fund DHS and PASS the SAVE America Act!

The #MajorRichardStarAct would ensure that combat-injured retirees can receive both their Department of Defense retirement pay & the disability compensation earned thru their sacrifices w/out any offset. Please urge Congressional support today: votervoice.net/AmericanLegion….

When will the Senate finally listen to the 54,000 combat-injured, medically retired veterans and the VSOs who sent them there? If the filibuster is the 'excuse' why is it also being used to block the #MajorRichardStarAct—a bill with 78 cosponsors and the mandate of the American veteran?

Why does the Senate love the filibuster more than the voters who just elected Donald Trump and gave Republicans unified government? Rep. Brandon Gill just called it out: these so called institutional safeguards are really just excuses to do nothing on border security and election integrity. When will the Senate finally listen to the people who sent them there?

Congressman. The ‘zombie filibuster’ is exactly what’s being used to kill the #MajorRichardStarAct. We have 78 Senators ready to vote YES, but a single objection over 'cost' is stopping 54,000 combat-injured veterans from getting their earned pay. If we want to restore the institution, let’s start by actually voting on the bills that have overwhelming bipartisan support.

Too many Senators would rather protect the filibuster than: - Require voter ID - Secure the border   - Crack down on fraud The zombie filibuster isn’t “preserving the institution.” It’s eroding it.

It has been 387 days since the Major Richard Star Act was introduced in the 119th Congress. 78 Senators and 317 Representatives have already signaled their support. It’s time to stop the delays. The cost is less than 0.1% of this budget. One tenth of one percent. @LeaderJohnThune, please bring S. 1032 to the floor for a vote. Our combat-injured veterans have waited long enough for their earned benefits.

This is day 94 of asking @LeaderJohnThune to pass the SAVE America Act. If Senate Majority Leader Thune doesn’t pass the SAVE America Act, then I’m coming to Texas.

If the 'wounded veteran tax' or the lack of caregiver support has affected your family, drop a 💙 in the comments and share this post. Let’s show Congress the scale of the community demanding change.

The final part is live: x.com/DavidWarrenVet…

Part 1 — Where the story begins Sgt. Mendoza didn’t set out to become a caregiver. But when her husband’s battle didn’t end with the uniform, hers didn’t either. She continued serving, as both a soldier and a caregiver. The Major Richard Star Act honors service like his. But it also reminds us of something just as important: Not every veteran needs a caregiver. But when they do, everything changes. Behind many wounded veterans is a caregiver carrying the weight too. Families like theirs are not alone. Today, 54,000+ combat-injured veterans and their families are still living that reality. Congress passed the Elizabeth Dole Act to help. But 451 days later, $20 million for caregiver mental health still hasn't been distributed. Caregiver support is suicide prevention. Repost to bring attention to the caregivers still waiting. 🇺🇸 #Veterans #HiddenHeroes

See the full story: x.com/davidwarrenvet…

Part 5 — What still hasn’t been done. This is a part of caregiving we don’t talk about enough. It’s not just spouses who step in. Sometimes, it’s children. When a veteran is fighting for their life, the entire family carries that weight together. No one trains for this. And no family should have to carry it alone. This is why caregiver support matters. This is why the Major Richard Star Act still matters. And this is why the $20M in Caregiver Mental Health Grants allocated under the Elizabeth Dole Act must be distributed now. A promise made is a debt unpaid. Let’s get these families the support they were promised. 🇺🇸 #MajorRichardStarAct #ElizabethDoleAct 📸 Courtesy photo/DVIDS

You’re right, Senator. If we have a billion dollars a day for new conflicts, the 'we can't afford it' excuse for the #MajorRichardStarAct is officially dead. But don’t forget the second, invisible side to this cost: The Caregivers. They are living the 'Double Sacrifice' every day, waiting for the support promised in the Dole Act while the VA sits on $20M in mental health grants. Let’s pass the Star Act AND release the Section 122 funds. Our veterans and caregivers can't wait for the next budget cycle.

More than one billion dollars a day. That’s what Trump’s war with Iran costs. Trump would rather spend money endangering our servicemembers than prioritizing the needs of Americans.

@SASCGOP @HASCRepublicans Supporting a $1.5T defense budget topline— while blocking unanimous consent on a ~$10B fix for combat-injured veterans over “cost” and “double dipping”—is exactly why ~54,000 families are still waiting. The support is already there in Congress. Bring it to a vote.

NEW: CHAIRMEN OF SENATE AND HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEES PRAISE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S $1.5 TRILLION DEFENSE BUDGET TOPLINE wicker.senate.gov/2026/4/chairme…

178k jobs is a win, but for 54k combat-injured veterans, some of which I’m sure are from Iowa the scoreboard is stuck. Rep. Feenstra, you’re a cosponsor of the #MajorRichardStarAct—thank you. But despite having 317 House and 78 Senate colleagues on board, it still can’t get a floor vote.

Just last month, over 178,000 jobs were added and unemployment fell to 4.3%. President Trump is putting the American people first, and getting America back on track! I look forward to continuing to work to ensure Iowans have access to high-quality jobs.

The problem isn't just the 'same ole' faces—it’s the same ole' legislative bottleneck. 455 days into the 119th Congress, the House has already passed 26+ substantive veterans' reforms, but the Senate has only sent 3 to the President. Even with 'new blood,' the #MajorRichardStarAct—which has the votes to pass tomorrow—is being blocked from a floor vote. We don't just need new people; we need a Senate that treats 'support' as a verb. Take a look at the scorecard—the House is doing the work, but the Senate is sitting on the pile. We need results, not just new names on the doors.

@DavidWarrenVet @ScottPresler Unfortunately some will keep voting for the same ole’, especially those people who don’t follow politics. We aren’t going to get out of this until we have new blood.

The democrats are spending $29.3 million to buy 4 Virginia congressional seats.

Part 4 is now live: x.com/DavidWarrenVet…

Read from the start:x.com/davidwarrenvet…

Part 4 — The role no one prepares for. This is what caregiving looks like. It’s not part-time. It’s not optional. It’s not temporary. It’s constant. Behind many wounded veterans is someone carrying the weight beside them—often without recognition, often without support. Caregivers don’t just support recovery. They hold everything together. And too many are still waiting for the help that was promised. (The final part tomorrow at 9am) #Veterans #ElizabethDoleAct 📸 Courtesy photo (DVIDS)