(Washington, D.C.) – “Vietnam Veterans of America is pleased to honor U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R‑IL), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, as a 2025 Legislator of the Year for advancing bipartisan solutions that put veterans and their families first,” said Tom Burke, National President of VVA.
“Chairman Bost’s door has always been open to VVA. By working directly with us and our chapters, he has championed practical fixes that reduce delays and keep veterans at the center of decision‑making,” Burke added.
In 2025, Bost helped secure enactment of the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (H.R. 1815), which permits VA to set up a partial-claim program and take extra steps to help veterans avoid foreclosure when facing hardship.
VVA and Rep. Bost’s staff are currently working on a bill called the Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2025. The bill seeks to raise payments for the most seriously injured veterans who need daily help; increase payments to surviving spouses and families; improve GI Bill housing money for online students; and make a temporary change to VA home-loan fees.
“Vietnam veterans answered our country’s call to serve and fought selflessly to preserve our freedoms and ideals. That’s why I am proud to be named Vietnam Veterans of America’s Legislator of the Year,” said Chairman Bost. “I thank VVA and its president, Navy veteran Tom Burke, for this incredible honor. As Chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I will continue to work on issues affecting our Vietnam veterans, so that we properly honor their service, legacy, and sacrifice.”
