ELLICOTT CITY, MD - Yesterday, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, reconvened her Veterans Advisory Council Roundtable ahead of Veterans Day. Elfreth was joined by veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and military spouses for the discussion, which included an update on her work to expand physical and mental health care for veterans, other legislative updates from the Armed Services Committee, and input from the advisory council.

"There are more than 50,000 veterans who call Maryland's Third District home - all who have selflessly served and sacrificed for our country. Ahead of Veterans Day, I reconvened our Veterans Advisory Council to deliver an update on my work in Washington and discuss how we can continue providing the highest quality of care to our servicemembers, veterans, and military families," said Congresswoman Elfreth. "As the daughter and granddaughter of Army, Navy, and Air Force veterans, I know the sacrifice that these men and women have made, and it's why I'm determined to continue uplifting their voices here in the halls of Congress."

Elfreth was joined by the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, VFW Post 7472, American Legion Post 156, Blue Star Families - Maryland Chapter, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., Howard County Veterans Foundation, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services, Howard County Veterans and Military Families, Department of Maryland Veterans of Foreign Wars, and veterans from the U.S. Marine Corp, Army, and Navy.

"VFW Post 7472 is pleased to welcome Congresswoman Elfreth and distinguished guests to the Third Annual Veterans Advisory Council Roundtable," said Jeff Kelley, Commander, VFW Post 7472. "This annual forum provides an important opportunity to address significant issues affecting veterans and their families. We value the perspectives and contributions of everyone participating and reaffirm our commitment to supporting those who have served our nation."

"Blue Star Families Maryland Chapter appreciates Congresswoman Elfreth's continued leadership and commitment to ensuring that the voices of veterans, service members, and military families are represented in the conversations that shape public policy. The well-being of our military community extends beyond the service member and must include the families who serve alongside them through every transition, deployment, and challenge. Opportunities like the Veterans Advisory Council Roundtable are essential to bringing community organizations, veteran advocates, and policymakers together to identify needs, advance meaningful solutions, and strengthen the resources available to those who have served and those who continue to serve," said Yolanda Rayford, Executive Director, Blue Star Families (Maryland Chapter).

At the roundtable, Elfreth delivered an update from her work as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, including an update on this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Since the previous discussion, Elfreth has worked to improve veterans' access to care and mental health services in Maryland and across the country.

Earlier this week, Elfreth led her colleagues in urging the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to select Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to expand access to care for veterans. This would be part of the implementation of Elfreth's "Improvement of Availability of Care for Veterans from Facilities and Providers of the Department of Defense"provision of last year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Elfreth has also fought to expand access to alternative therapies through bills like her bipartisan THRIVE Act.

Following the suicides at Fort Meade earlier this year, Elfreth has fought to remedy on-base mental health services. She has urged the appropriations committees to deliver $11 million to invest in occupational resiliency, mental health, and team training at the Fort. Elfreth is working to change the reporting requirements and include civilian employees in DoD's suicide data, especially at installations like Fort Meade where civilian and uniformed officers work side by side on the same projects. She is also working to address delays with the transfer of mental health licenses from out of state.

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