Rep. Aguilar Delivers Big Wins for Veterans

From helping veterans access job programs to obtaining their benefits, Rep. Aguilar has consistently delivered for veterans in his district and across the country

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Throughout his time in Congress, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) has fought to make life better for veterans, including by successfully amending Republicans' government funding bill to make improvements to veteran programs, advocating for constituents dealing with issues at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System and passing legislation into law improving veterans' access to benefits.

"After sacrificing so much for this country, veterans shouldn't have to struggle with getting their benefits or enrolling in job training programs through the VA once they come home," said Rep. Pete Aguilar. "That's why I've fought to streamline VA services and programs so veterans in the Inland Empire and across the country can access the benefits they're owed without delay or denial. I'll keep fighting to make life better for the brave men and women who risked their lives for the United States and uphold our promise to them."

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Aguilar secured key changes to the bipartisan government funding bill to make it easier for veterans to obtain their earned benefits and ensure fairer access to veteran job training programs.

Recently, after a constituent received poor justification for being denied from the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, Rep. Aguilar secured a change in the government funding bill that urges the VA to follow recommendations from the Office of the Inspector General to help prevent similar issues for veterans nationwide. Additionally, Rep. Aguilar pushed for a provision to get State and Territorial Veterans Service Officers (SVSOs) to use technology to reduce the VA's workload and make it easier for veterans to access disability compensation claims and the federal benefits they have earned.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 MilCon-VA bill passed in the House of Representatives on May 15, 2026 and includes $53 billion in Democratic-led funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund and invests $121 billion for Veterans' Medical Care. Rep. Aguilar voted in favor of this important legislation, which passed with bipartisan support.

In addition to the wins secured by Rep. Aguilar in the House Appropriations Committee, he has advocated on behalf of his constituents for better patient care at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. Following the tragic death of a constituent due to delays and staffing shortages, he contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs, urging them to address their inadequate patient care practices. Rep. Aguilar demanded that the VA take the proper steps to prevent additional veteran deaths stemming from negligent care protocols that could be avoided. The Secretary committed to Rep. Aguilar to address staffing issues and to review patient safety protocols at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System. Additionally, after an inquiry from Rep. Aguilar's staff into the hematology/oncology department, the VA's Office of Inspector General took action to resolve delays in clinical care, ensuring veterans receive the quality treatment they deserve.

After constituents Justin Stewart and Bryce Erickson informed Rep. Aguilar's office that they were not receiving their benefits because of poor communication from the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, Rep. Aguilar filed a congressional inquiry with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This inquiry into their situations resolved the issues, ensuring that they received the necessary contact and payments.

"After I was accepted into a graduate program, I wasn't receiving my retroactive benefits through the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program and I couldn't get in touch with my counselor at the VA about my application," said Justin Stewart, Veteran and CA-33 Resident. "This was stressful because my family relies on my benefits while I am in school to make ends meet. I reached out to Rep. Aguilar's office with my issue, and they contacted the VA on my behalf, helping me get a response from my counselor and the benefits that I was owed. I'm grateful to Rep. Aguilar for his advocacy and commitment to veterans in the Inland Empire and across the country."

"I applied to the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program and didn't hear back from them for close to three months, when they stated that I should've heard back within 30 days of applying," said Bryce Erickson, Veteran and CA-33 Resident. "I reached out to Rep. Aguilar's office, and they assisted in opening a congressional inquiry to have a counselor contact me. They did reach out and I am now enrolled in the VR&E program."

Additionally, in 2023, Rep. Aguilar's bill, the Wounded Warrior Access Act (H.R. 1226), became law. Passing with bipartisan support, the legislation streamlines the veterans' benefits claims process so they can access their benefits more easily and quickly.

Rep. Aguilar will continue fighting to uphold our promise to veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country and ensure that they receive the care and benefits they need.