Julie’s Journal Special Edition: Honoring our Veterans

November 10, 2025
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Dear Friend,

As we pause to honor Veterans Day, I’m reminded of the extraordinary men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform with courage, humility, and an unshakable commitment to freedom. North Dakota has always punched above our weight when it comes to service, and we’re proud to live among so many who embody what it means to serve something greater than themselves. 

Our way of life depends on peace through strength and rests upon the commitment to freedom and liberty that every generation of Americans always has—and always must—embrace through military service.   

In Congress, I’m working to uphold our promise to veterans by fully funding VA health care and benefits, improving access to mental health and housing programs, and strengthening military readiness at home and abroad.   

In this special veterans-focused newsletter, you’ll find updates on the issues that matter to our state’s heroes. To all who have served, and to the families who’ve sacrificed alongside them: thank you. Your service is the backbone of our freedom and the foundation of our peace.  

If you or a loved one needs help with a VA claim number, benefit application, service records, or other matters involving the Department of Veterans Affairs, my team is ready to help and work on your behalf. Please call my Fargo office at (701) 353-6665 for additional assistance. 

If you’d like more frequent updates, please subscribe to my monthly newsletter. I always appreciate hearing from you, so reach out anytime to share your thoughts, questions, or concerns.    

 

My Best,

JF Signature

Julie Fedorchak
Member of Congress

 

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Fully funding veterans’ health care, benefits, and VA programs:

As a daughter of a veteran and wife of a veteran, I have a deep appreciation for those who have served. When veterans return home, they deserve the benefits they’ve earned through their service to our nation. But too often, Washington fails to meet its promises to our heroes, especially when it comes to health care access, mental health support, and housing assistance.

The House passed, and I supported, the FY26 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation fully funds VA health care, benefits, and critical programs—upholding our commitment to those who served. It also invests in mental health care, combats veteran homelessness, and strengthens oversight and accountability at the VA. 

What this does in practice: 

  • Fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits programs. 

  • Supports President Trump’s new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment initiative to combat homelessness. 

  • Maintains funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans. 

  • Protects the Second Amendment rights of veterans by preventing the VA from sharing information with the FBI without a judge’s consent. 

  • Aligns with President Trump’s executive actions protecting pro-life policies and refocusing VA resources on core missions. 

Honoring Casselton’s Commander Delbert Austin Olson:

Commander Delbert Olson was a proud North Dakotan and a true American hero. A Casselton native, he answered the call of duty in three major conflicts—World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War—serving with distinction and ultimately giving his life in defense of freedom. Commander Olson’s bravery earned him multiple honors, including the Navy Commendation Medal with valor, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnam Service Medal. His name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

To preserve his legacy and honor his extraordinary service, I joined Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven in introducing bicameral legislation to rename the Casselton Post Office at 840 Front Street as the Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office. This tribute is a small way to show how much we value his sacrifice and to make sure his story lives on in the town he loved. 

 

This just in

 

Below is a list of veterans-focused legislation that I have supported this year: 

  • H.R. 224 - Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act  

  • H.R. 965 - Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act  

  • H.R. 1228 - Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act  

  • H.R. 981 - VETT Act  

  • H.R. 586 - Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act  

  • H.R. 1039 - Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act  

  • H.R. 983 - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025  

  • H.R. 877 - Deliver for Veterans Act  

  • H.R. 1912 - Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025  

  • H.R. 970 - Fairness for Service members and Their Families Act of 2025  

  • H. Con. Res. 9 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service*  

  • H.R. 1364 - ASSIST Act  

  • H.R. 1823 - VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act  

  • H.R. 2201 - Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act  

  • H.R. 217 - CHIP IN for Veterans Act of 2025  

  • H.R. 1286 - Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act  

  • H.R. 1147 - Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act  

  • H.R. 658 - Establishing qualifications for marriage and family therapists in the Veterans Health Administration  

  • H.R. 1578 - Veterans Claims Education Act  

  • H.R. 1815 - VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (Signed into law)

  • H.R. 1969 - No Wrong Door for Veterans Act 

  • H.R. 1107 - Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 

  • H.R. 1860 - Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act 

  • H.R. 3400 - Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025 

  • H.R. 3767 - HPSP Improvement Act of 2025 

  • H.R. 3854 - Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act 

  • H.R. 4446 - Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans’ Employment and Transition Success (FAST VETS) Act 

  • H.R. 2034 - Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act 

  • H.R. 2334 - Service member Residence Protection Act  

  • H.R. 2721 - Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025 

  • H.R. 3481 - Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025 

  • H.R. 3579 - Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act 

  • H.R. 3951 - Rural Veteran Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025 

  • H.R. 3494 - VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act 

  • H.R. 2701 - Fallen Service members Religious Heritage Restoration Act 

  • H.R. 2102 - Major Richard Star Act   

  • H.R. 1336 - Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act 

  • H.Res. 744 - Supporting the designation of the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week" 

*Passed House and Senate

 

On the Homefront Header

 

  • This year, our team has welcomed more than 400 veterans to our nation's capital through the Honor Flight program. Honor flights bring veterans from across the state to Washington D.C. for a visit to the war memorials, U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, and other landmarks. Welcoming our heroes from North Dakota and bringing them on Capitol tours—the heart of democracy—is one of the greatest privileges I have in Congress. 

 

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  • In August, we visited the Fargo VA Health Center. Their team is five stars—literally. They received a five-star rating for their service from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. From enhanced scheduling practices and faster claims processing to innovative tools like the Da Vinci surgical robot, staff are finding practical ways to make care easier and more effective for our veterans. God bless their commitment to serving those who served our nation. 

 

Fargo VA Health Center

 

  • Members of the Disabled American Veterans chapter in Fargo shared thoughtful input on how Congress can better meet their needs. Their priorities include strengthening the PACT Act, modernizing VA infrastructure, closing gaps in mental health care and suicide prevention, and improving benefits for veterans and their families.  
  • Members of the North Dakota American Legion raised important issues facing veterans—from advocating for fair benefits for part-time Guard members to improving care in rural areas and strengthening accountability within the VA. Their annual “Camo for a Cause” event honors local servicemembers and supports veterans’ programs across the region. Looking forward to joining soon! 
  • Five members of the North Dakota Veterans of Foreign Wars shared valuable insight on key challenges facing those returning from service. The discussion focused on improving PTSD treatment options, strengthening the Transition Assistance Program, and resolving the ongoing conflict between DoD and VA medical retirement pay.  
  • The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America discussed ongoing challenges facing Afghan allies and American veterans. Conversations centered on the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) program and the visa interview process for Afghan refugees, as well as promising alternative treatments for PTSD that go beyond traditional methods to help veterans heal and thrive. 
  • Representatives from Military Veterans Advocacy, including Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard veterans, highlighted key legislative priorities such as the TREAT PTSD Act, the Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, and the VA Response Act. They also shared meaningful stories from their time in service. 

 

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If you are a veteran, please see below for a list of resources that could benefit you: 

  • Click here for a list of services and benefits ranging from disability and health care to housing and life insurance. 

  • Click here for VA assistance and forms. 

  • Click here for more information on North Dakota’s VA facilities. 

  • Click here for more information regarding the VA’s recent announcement of $52M in available suicide prevention grant funds. 

  • Click here to learn more about how access to non-VA care no longer requires secondary approval. 

  • Click here for a list of upcoming events near you. 

  • Click here to receive more VA updates on resources for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. 

Important Contacts 

  • If you need help with a federal agency, including the VA, please call my Fargo office at (701) 353-6665 to reach a caseworker. 

  • For non-urgent questions, you can reach VA using the VA Health & Benefits App or MyHealtheVet secure messaging to schedule an appointment, refill prescriptions, and access your medical records.