Bresnahan Holds Veterans Press Conference at Tobyhanna VFW
TOBYHANNA, PA: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) held a press conference with local veterans and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3448 to recognize our veterans and bring awareness to his recently passed legislation, H.R. 1286, the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act.
Rep. Bresnahan was joined by more than a dozen local veterans, including VFW Post 3448 Commander Greg Schultz, second-generation veteran Tony Andriola, and VFW Post 3448 Senior Vice Commander Jackie Boucher, who all gave brief remarks. Monroe County Commissioners Chairman John Christy and Vice Chairman David Parker were also in attendance.
“At the heart of everything we do is the belief that government should work better for the people it serves, and that starts with our veterans,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Those who have risked their lives for our country shouldn’t be forced to deal with government red tape just to access the benefits they rightfully earned while wearing our nation’s uniform. I am proud to recognize the more than 40,000 veterans in Northeastern Pennsylvania – this legislation is dedicated to them, and I will continue to work every day on behalf of them and our community.”
Rep. Bresnahan holds up examples of paperwork required for veterans to receive their benefits.
Pictured left to right: Senior Vice Commander Jackie Boucher, Rep. Rob Bresnahan, Tony Andriola, Commander Greg Schultz, and Commissioner David Parker.
Rep. Bresnahan introduced the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act to simplify the forms process to make VA standard forms more user-friendly. Bresnahan introduced this bill on February 13, 2025, and it passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs on May 6, 2025. On May 19, 2025, Rep. Bresnahan spoke on the House Floor about the legislation before its passage out of the U.S. House by a vote of 386-1. Footage of the vote can be found here.
The Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act would require VA to contract with a nonpartisan, federally funded research entity to conduct a study on, and provide recommendations for, revising VA forms to be more understandable for veterans and their survivors. Following this study, the VA Secretary would be required to report findings to Congress and implement recommendations. You can find the bill text here.
At the press conference, Rep. Bresnahan also previewed the launch of a new initiative to expand constituent services across Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District with the introduction of a mobile office, known as the BresnaVan. Additional details on the BresnaVan and its operations will be announced later this week.
“Our mission is to make government more accessible, responsive, and present in every corner of the district,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “The BresnaVan will allow us to reach communities where we don’t have permanent offices and make sure every constituent has access to the support and services they deserve.”
###