FEDERAL LEGISLATION

As of 6/18, the following hearings are scheduled:    

  • Tuesday, June 23, 4:15 PM: Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland – Hearings to examine an update on the F-35 aircraft program; to be immediately followed by a closed session in SVC-217. 
  • Wednesday, June 24, 2:15 PM: House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Oversight Hearing – Failure at the Front Gate, Examining VA Police and Security Deficiencies 
  • Wednesday, June 24, 4:00 PM: Senate Veterans Affairs Committee – Hearing to Consider a Pending Nomination  
  • Thursday, June 25, 9:30 AM: Senate Armed Services Committee – Hearing To consider the nominations of: Honorable Jules W. Hurst III to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); Mr. Richard M. O’Malley to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; Dr. L. Roger Mason, Jr. to be Director of the National Reconnaissance Office; and Dr. Erich D. Hernandez-Baquero to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration 
  • Thursday, June 25, 2:15 PM: House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs – Hearing on Pending Legislation 
 
 
Who to Contact
 
Directory of Missouri’s U.S. Senators and Representatives

119th Congress District Offices

 

The Department of Missouri VFW Legislative Team has compiled this directory of Missouri’s U.S. Senators and Representatives, including their district office locations, to assist you in engaging with your elected officials on legislative priorities supported by the VFW and the National Legislative Service in Washington, D.C.

 

This resource is intended to enhance your grassroots advocacy efforts, not replace them. We strongly encourage all members and Auxiliary to continue responding to VFW Action Alerts and to maintain regular communication with their congressional offices to ensure veterans’ voices are heard at every level of government.

 

This information will be especially important during 2026–2027, as these offices will be your key contacts for advancing our VFW priorities.

 

Senator Josh Hawley-R

Springfield Office                                                           St. Louis Office

3236 E Ridgeview Street                                                 530 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 460

Springfield, MO 65804                                                    St. Louis, MO 63141

Phone: 417.869.4433                                                       Phone: 314.354.7060

 

Kansas City Office                                                         Cape Girardeau Office

400 E 9th Street, Suite 9350                                             555 Independence St., Suite 1600

Kansas City, MO 64106                                                   Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Phone: 816.472.6812                                                       Phone: 573.334.5995

 

Columbia Office

1123 Wilkes Blvd, Suite 220

Columbia, MO 65201

573.256.1805

 

Website: hawley.senate.gov

 

Senator Eric Schmitt-R

 St. Louis Office                                                               Springfield Office

111 S. 10th St., Suite 23-360                                             2870 S Ingram Mill Rd, Suite D2

St. Louis, MO 63102                                                        Springfield, MO 65804

Phone: 314.340.7263                                                        Phone: 417.290.5000

 

 

Kansas City Office                                                         Cape Girardeau Office

12200 N Ambassador Dr, Suite 233                                555 Independence St., Suite 1600

Kansas City, MO 64163                                                  Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Phone: 816.849.8234                                                       Phone: 573.388.8340

 

Columbia Office

1123 Wilkes Blvd, Suite 320

Columbia, MO 65201

573.514.8680

 

Website: schmitt.senate.gov

 

Rep Wesley Bell-District 1

 

St. Louis District Office

1191 Dr. M.L. King Dr.

St. Louis, MO 63101

Phone: 314.955.9980

Website: bell.house.gov

 

Rep Ann Wagner-District 2

 

Washington MO Office                                                      Ballwin District Office

516 Jefferson St,                                                                   301 Sovereign Court, Suite 201

Washington, MO 63090                                                       Ballwin, MO 63011

Phone: 636.231.1001                                                           Phone: 636.779.5449

Website: wagner.house.gov

 

Rep Bob Onder-District 3

 

Cottleville Office                                                                 Jefferson City Office

By Appointment Only                                                          By Appointment Only

Cottleville, MO 63304                                                         Jefferson City, MO 65101

Phone: 636.327.7055                                                           Phone: 573.635.7232

Website: onder.house.gov

 

 

Rep Mark Alford-District 4

 

Columbia District Office                                                Raymore District Office

2401 Bernadette Drive, Ste 117                                        1272 West Foxwood Dr.

Columbia, MO 65203                                                       Raymore, MO 64083

Phone: 573.540.6600                                                        Phone: 816.441.6318

 

Lebanon District Office

500 E. Elm Street

Lebanon, MO 65536

Phone: 417.532.5582

Website: alford.house.gov

 

Rep Emanuel Cleaver-District 5

 

Independence District Office                             Kansas City District Office

411 W. Maple Ave, Suite F                                   4001 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Ste 210

Independence, MO 64050                                    Kansas City, MO 64130

Phone: 816.833.4545                                           Phone: 816.842.4545

Website: cleaver.house.gov

 

Rep Sam Graves-District 6

 

Hannibal District Office                                            Kansas City District Office

6079 Co Rd 425                                                           12200 N Ambassador Dr Suite 234

PO Box 364                                                                  Kansas City, MO 64163

Hannibal, MO 63401                                                    Phone: 816.792.3976

Phone: 573.221.3400                                                         

 

St. Joseph District Office                                              Troy District Office

411 Jules Street, Room 111                                             201 Main St, Room 50

St. Joseph, MO 64501                                                     Troy, MO 63379

Phone: 816.749.0800                                                       Phone: 636.622.7106

Website: graves.house.gov

 

Rep Eric Burlison-District 7

 

Joplin District Office                                                 Springfield District Office

2727 E. 32nd Street, Suite 2                                         3232 E. Ridgeview St.

Joplin, MO 64804                                                         Springfield, MO 65804

Phone: 417.781.1041                                                    Phone: 417.889.1800

Website: burlison.house.gov

 

Rep Jason Smith-District 8

 

Cape Girardeau Office                                          Farmington Office

2502 Tanner Drive, Suite 205                                  22 E Columbia St

Cape Girardeau, MO 63703                                     Farmington, MO 63640

Phone: 573.335.0101                                               Mailing Address:

                                                                                  PO Box 1165

                                                                                 Farmington, MO 63640

                                                                                 Phone: 573.756.9755

 

Poplar Bluff Office                                                        Rolla Office

2725 N Westwood Blvd, Suite 5A                                  830A S. Bishop

Poplar Bluff, MO 63901                                                 Rolla, MO 65401

Mailing Address: PO Box 4707                                      Phone: 573.364.2455

Poplar Bluff, MO 63902

Phone: 573.609.2996

 

West Plains Office

35 Court Square, Suite 300

West Plains, MO 65775

Phone: 417.255.1515

Website: jasonsmith.house.gov

 

 

_________________________________________________________________
 

1. Strategic framing for Post 280 on Federal Issues

Objective: We wanted to equip each member with a clear, credible snapshot of veterans' legislation in the 119th Congress, aligned with VFW national priorities and ready for use with members of Congress, community partners, and the public. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

Key message: Congress is considering a historic volume of veterans' legislation. VFW supports reforms that improve access, fairness, and dignity for veterans and survivors—and opposes efforts that undermine VA as the primary provider of care or weaken earned benefits. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. or VFW vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

2. Top priority bills to highlight

Major Richard Star Act – Concurrent receipt

  • Bills: H.R. 2102 / S. 1032 – Major Richard Star Act.
  • What it does: Ends the offset that forces certain combat‑injured retirees to give up part of their earned DoD retirement when they receive VA disability compensation. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. or VFW GovTrack.us
  • Why it matters: Fixes a long‑standing injustice for tens of thousands of combat‑injured veterans who lose retirement pay simply because they were wounded in service. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. or VFW GovTrack.us
  • Post 280 message: "Combat‑injured veterans should not have to forfeit retirement they earned just because they were hurt defending this country.”

Caring for Survivors Act – DIC and survivors

  • Bills: H.R. 2055 / S. 611 – Caring for Survivors Act of 2025.
  • Focus: Improves Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and related survivors benefits, addressing long‑standing inequities for surviving spouses and families. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net
  • Post 280 message: "When a veteran dies, the benefits should not die with them—survivors deserve fair, modern support.”

Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity

  • Bills: H.R. 1423 / S. 649 – Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025.
  • Focus: Ensures Guard and Reserve members receive GI Bill credit for all qualifying service, including training and certain activations, closing gaps between active and reserve components. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net
  • Post 280 message: "Guard and Reserve service is real service—GI Bill benefits should reflect that.”

3. High‑impact issue clusters

A. Claims, appeals, and communication

Representative bills (House):

  • H.R. 1039 – Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act
  • H.R. 1228 – Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act
  • H.R. 1286 – Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act
  • H.R. 1578 – Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025
  • H.R. 1741 – Veteran Appeals Transparency Act of 2025
  • H.R. 2137 – Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025
  • H.R. 3835 – Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025
  • H.R. 3983 – Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act of 2025

Representative bills (Senate):

  • S. 1657 – Review Every Veteran’s Claim Act of 2025
  • S. 1992 – Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025

Theme: These bills collectively aim to simplify forms, improve notice and communication, increase transparency in appeals, and strengthen quality review—directly affecting how veterans experience the claims process. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

Post 280 talking point: "We support legislation that makes VA decisions clearer, faster, and fairer—no veteran should lose benefits because the system is confusing.”

B. Caregivers and family support

  • H.R. 2148 / S. 879 – Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
  • H.R. 3833 – Veterans’ Caregiver Appeals Modernization Act of 2025

Theme: Strengthens caregiver programs, improves appeals rights, and supports caregivers’ ability to work and retire with dignity while caring for disabled veterans. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

Post 280 talking point: "Caregivers are force multipliers for VA—supporting them is supporting veterans.”

C. Mental health, suicide prevention, MST, and toxic exposure

  • H.R. 2201 – Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act
  • H.R. 2623 – Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025
  • H.R. 2878 – Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act
  • S. 585 – Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025
  • S. 793 – Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program reauthorization The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. or VFW vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net
  • S. 926 – Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025
  • S. 2061 – Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act of 2025
  • S. 2220 – FORGOTTEN Veterans Act of 2025

Theme: Expands suicide prevention efforts, improves MST claims handling, advances brain health and innovative therapies, and deepens research and recognition for toxic exposure and its generational impact. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. or VFW vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

Post 280 talking point: "We back serious, evidence‑based efforts to prevent veteran suicide, improve MST response, and address toxic exposure—no more forgotten veterans.”

D. Access to care, rural veterans, and transportation

  • H.R. 3951 – Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
  • S. 784 – Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act
  • S. 827 – Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act
  • S. 1868 – Critical Access for Veterans Care Act
  • S. 2397 – CARING for Our Veterans Health Act of 2025

Theme: Focus on rural access, transportation, and strengthening VA’s ability to deliver care where veterans live, consistent with VFW’s push to fix—not abandon—VA community care systems. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

Post 280 talking point: "Rural veterans shouldn’t have to choose between distance and care—Congress must fund access, not excuses.”

4. Bills affecting burials, memorials, and final honors

  • H.R. 647 / S. 1116 – Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025
  • H.R. 2701 / S. 1318 – Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act
  • H.R. 3726 / S. 2309 – Fisher House Availability Act / Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act
  • S. 3226 – Bring Our Heroes Home Act

Theme: Protects the dignity, timeliness, and integrity of veterans’ burials, honors, and remains, including religious heritage and accountability in burial processes. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

Post 280 talking point: "How we honor veterans in death reflects how we value them in life—these bills safeguard that promise.”

5. VFW opposition: H.R. 3132 – CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025

  • Bill: H.R. 3132 – CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025.
  • Status: Marked "VFW DOES NOT SUPPORT” in your notes.
  • Likely concern: Expansion of community care in ways that risk siphoning resources from VA, undermining VA as the primary coordinator and provider of veterans’ health care—consistent with VFW’s long‑standing concerns about over‑reliance on outsourced care. vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net

Post 280 talking point:
"We oppose efforts that hollow out VA by over‑expanding community care. Veterans deserve a strong, fully funded VA—not a patchwork of outsourced care.”