House Unites to Restore Veterans’ Survivors Office as Lawmakers Push Forward on Deepfake Legislation

In a rare moment of complete bipartisan agreement, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation aimed at strengthening support for families of fallen service members. The bill, titled the Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (H.R. 1228), passed on Thursday with a vote of 424-0, signaling broad consensus across party lines.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), seeks to revive the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), restoring its original placement directly under the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. That office had been repositioned during a 2021 administrative change, which, according to critics, weakened its effectiveness in advocating for military families.

Under the newly passed bill, the OSA would once again serve as the central point of contact and policy advisor for issues relating to the survivors of deceased veterans—a move welcomed by advocacy groups and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The measure now moves to the Senate for review and potential approval.

A Renewed Commitment to Military Families

Rep. Ciscomani emphasized that the bill is about honoring the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in service—and the families left behind. “We owe it to the families of our fallen heroes to ensure they are heard and supported,” Ciscomani said in a statement. “This legislation puts survivors back at the center of the VA’s mission, where they belong.”

This change aims to not only empower the OSA with greater authority and visibility but also to correct a perceived lapse in focus on survivor support. Lawmakers stressed that this is not merely bureaucratic restructuring but a tangible step toward improving communication, care, and advocacy for veterans’ families.

VA Secretary Collins Addresses Rumors and Reaffirms Priorities

Following the House’s vote, VA Secretary Doug Collins—a former Republican Congressman from Georgia—spoke on the current state of veterans’ services and addressed a swirl of misinformation surrounding proposed changes to the VA under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Collins voiced his support for Elon Musk’s federal efficiency initiatives and praised ongoing efforts to streamline operations within the VA without compromising care.

“We’re putting veterans first,” Collins told NewsNation in a recent interview. “And while change always comes with challenges, our focus remains on delivering the best outcomes for those who’ve served.”

In a separate public statement, Collins strongly dismissed rumors suggesting deep cuts to veterans’ benefits or health care. He pointed out that the VA has preserved 300,000 essential positions to maintain service levels, and rather than cutting funding, had reallocated $98 million toward direct care and services for veterans.

No Crisis Line Cuts, Says Collins

Collins also pushed back against allegations that the Veterans Crisis Line, a critical mental health service, was being downsized or eliminated.

“We did not lay off any crisis line responders,” Collins clarified, adding that the team remains fully operational and continues to offer 24/7 support for veterans in emotional distress.

He encouraged veterans and employees to rely on official VA communication rather than politically charged speculation.

“When you want the truth, come to me—not the ‘Whopper line’ on Capitol Hill,” he said, taking aim at what he labeled as false narratives being spread for political advantage.

Despite these reassurances, Stars and Stripes reported that Collins sent an internal message to employees offering voluntary resignation or early retirement packages ahead of what he described as a “planned workforce reduction” later this fiscal year. Staff who opt into the program would continue receiving full pay and benefits through September 30.

House Also Passes Deepfake Legislation

In another major legislative move this week, the House also approved the Take It Down Act, which criminalizes the distribution of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake content. The bill passed by a vote of 409–2, with just Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) voting against it.

The legislation targets the deliberate online publication of AI-generated pornographic images or videos that falsely appear to depict real people. Offenders could face criminal charges under the new law, which responds to the growing misuse of deepfake technology.

The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law. Trump had previously indicated his support for the measure, viewing it as a critical step in combating online exploitation and digital impersonation.

A Week of Rare Unity

In a time of heightened political division, the unanimous passage of the veterans’ bill and near-total support for the deepfake legislation mark a rare period of unity on Capitol Hill. Both measures address vastly different concerns—one honoring those who served, and the other protecting individuals from digital abuse—but reflect a shared commitment to act where action is urgently needed.

As both bills make their way to the next stages, lawmakers hope this moment of unity can serve as a blueprint for more bipartisan cooperation moving forward.