(U.S. Senate) – Leaders of several Military and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) today confirmed to U.S. Senator Jon Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, that they have still not been granted a meeting with President Trump to discuss their legislative priorities for veterans.

Recent reports found that despite the continuous efforts by several VSOs to meet with the President, Trump has declined to meet with leading veterans’ advocates to discuss his agenda for veterans’ issues. Tester asked the leadership of several of these VSOs if they have yet been able to confirm a meeting with the President.

During a Committee hearing today Tester went down the line, asking every leader representing a VSO if they have had an opportunity to meet with the President.  Each one responded, “no.”

The unanimous response was that they have not been able to meet with the President.

“Congress and this Administration should be taking its cues from America’s veterans,” said Tester. “I welcome the opportunity to work with Veterans Service Organizations and every member of Congress to make sure that veterans have timely access to the highest quality of care at the VA and in their communities.”  

Veterans Service Organizations that presented at today’s hearing included the Association of the United States Navy, American Veterans, Gold Star Wives, Non Commissioned Officers Association, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, National Guard Association of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project, and Vietnam Veterans of America. The membership of these groups is comprised of veterans and their family members from across the country.

Before the President’s Inauguration, Tester called for Trump to sit down with Veterans Service Organizations before making any major decisions regarding veterans’ issues.

Further, in each of the previous three joint hearings, Tester asked leaders of the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars if they had been granted a meeting with the President. All answered that they had not.

Today’s hearing was the fourth in a series of five hearings that give VSOs the opportunity to deliver their legislative priorities directly to members of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.

The final joint hearing will take place on Wednesday, March 22 at 8:00 a.m. MST. More information on the participating Veterans Service Organizations can be found online HERE.