William Swenson, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, was awarded the Medal of Honor for “acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life,” during combat operations in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, in 2009. Swenson and other veterans will be recognized in a History Channel series that will launch on the network, social media and several websites this spring. The series, in partnership with the White House, is part of a larger effort to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
WASHINGTON — More than 30 House lawmakers, led by the co-chairmen of the Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus, urged the Food and Drug Administration this week to expedite review of psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat veterans and other individuals with mental health problems that are not responding to mainstream medication.
The May 6 letter, signed by House members, described an “urgent public health crisis” to address post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental health disorders afflicting tens of thousands of veterans.
“We remain committed to ensuring that veterans and others living with treatment-resistant mental health conditions have access to safe, evidence-based care,” wrote Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general, and Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., in a letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.
“As members of the House of Representatives, we have heard from countless veterans, clinicians and families seeking evidence-based alternatives,” the lawmakers said in the letter.
The FDA announced in April that it is fast-tracking the review and approval process of three companies studying psilocybin as a treatment alternative for PTSD and depression.
Psilocybin is the active psychedelic compound in “magic mushrooms,” which produce hallucinogenic effects and are illegal under federal law.
President Donald Trump also signed an executive order in April directing the FDA to speed the approval process for psychedelics.
“Psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, show potential in clinical studies to address serious mental illnesses for patients whose conditions persist after completing standard therapy,” Trump wrote in his executive order.
A network series that tells the stories of combat veterans will launch this spring on the History Channel, social media platforms and several websites, in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans” will offer the personal stories of service members who fought in World War II, Vietnam, Korea and the War on Terror, according to the History Channel, which partnered with the White House and Freedom 250, a public-private initiative, for the project.
Veterans profiled will include Paul Priest, who served in the Army’s 9th Armored Division in World War II; Louis Graziano, who fought on Omaha Beach on D-Day; Royce Williams, a Korean War Navy pilot; Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan; and Lt. Col. William Swenson, awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan.
“At the heart of the initiative [are] first-person video profiles featuring veterans from World War II through the Global War on Terror,” according to the History Channel.
Users will be able to access the features on the History Channel, History.com, veterans.com and various social media channels.
Each story will be introduced by the president, who will offer a tribute to those who served, according to the History Channel.
The profiles will culminate with a one-hour documentary that will premiere on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, on the History Channel.
“President Trump and the entire administration are honored to partner with the History Channel to tell the stories of veterans from World War II, Vietnam, Korea and the War on Terror,” said Vince Haley, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council.
The stories are part of a broader celebration to mark the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, according to the White House.
No further details were offered this week on the dates and times for the rollout of the profiles, though organizers said more veterans may be added to the lineup.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has one of the largest acquisition functions in the federal government, spending more than $78 billion in fiscal 2025.
But a new federal watchdog report is warning about “longstanding challenges” with the agency’s management of major acquisitions, spanning health care, information technology, construction and the delivery of benefits to millions of veterans.
Although the VA is reorganizing processes — with an eye toward improving efficiency — reforms come with their own set of risks, according to the Government Accountability Office.
A GAO report, published May 6, discusses “acquisition management challenges” identified from prior audits and urges the agency to implement leading practices as it makes updates.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs spends tens of billions of dollars each year on goods and services it needs to carry out its mission. For years, we’ve reported that VA has had difficulties managing these acquisitions. Now, VA is reorganizing — including some offices with responsibility for acquisitions,” the GAO said in its report.
“While subsequent high-risk updates have noted meaningful progress, GAO continues to find persistent challenges,” the report said.
VA acquisition management has been on GAO’s “high-risk list” for seven years due to problems developing strategies, managing the supply chain, and overseeing the acquisition workforce, the GAO said.
GAO investigators recommended that the VA conduct strategic workforce planning, establish goals, involve employees and key stakeholders, and carefully monitor its progress.
Veterans are expected to have an easier time accessing their GI benefits to enroll in commercial trucking school since VA streamlined the approval process. (U.S. Department of Labor)
Veterans using the GI Bill to get their commercial trucker’s license are expected to have an easier time enrolling at a school in their community, under new rules at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Adoption of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Act is expected to ease some delays that large Commercial Driver’s License schools encountered enrolling students at new training sites, according to the VA.
Qualifying CDL training facilities no longer have to meet a two-year minimum operating period before accepting veterans using the GI Bill, when expanding VA-approved programs using the same curriculum at new locations.
“Streamlining this process means approved CDL schools can accept GI Bill students up to two years sooner at new locations, giving them quicker access to training opportunities,” the VA said.
Since 2009, veterans have used their GI Bill benefits to attend VA-approved commercial trucking schools at little to no cost, the VA said.
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation, TAPS and the Veterans Spouse Network are beneficiaries of new donations totaling $260,000 to help support military families, veterans and their caregivers.
Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses announced funds to strengthen community-based care and access to mental health services, peer-to-peer support and wellness programs.
The contributions are as follows:
$100,000 to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, bringing total contributions to $300,000 since 2024, to assist 8,000 caregivers with support and resource navigation.
$100,000 to TAPS, bringing totals to $250,000 since 2025, to expand services for thousands of adults grieving the loss of a service member or veteran.
$60,000 to the Veteran Spouse Network, bringing totals to $260,000 since 2024, to support military spouses transitioning to post-service life and to provide lifesaving suicide prevention training.
The dollars are expected to expand assistance for thousands of individuals nationwide.
The donations underscore the ‘pragmatic philanthropy’ model of corporate giving at PMI U.S., which prioritizes sustained support to philanthropic partners, according to the company.
“Caregivers and spouses are a bedrock of our military community, yet their well being is too often an afterthought. Their resilience is a quiet strength that deserves our active support,” said Marian Salzman, a senior vice president at PMI U.S. “These organizations don’t just offer services. They build communities and provide lifelines.”
