DAV survey finds overwhelming opposition to TCAVA omnibus bill
Despite strong support for the Major Richard Star Act, 71% oppose TCAVA unless Section 108 benefit cuts are removed
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new DAV survey of more than 4,200 veterans, their family members, caregivers and survivors shows overwhelming support (93%) for protecting veterans’ earned benefits and overwhelming opposition (71%) to the omnibus Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) unless a provision (Section 108) containing historic cuts to veterans benefits is removed.
The survey also found unequivocal support for passing the Major Richard Star Act this year, with 65% calling on Congress to pass the full and complete bill, compared with just 5% favoring a reduced or capped bill, such as the compromise version included in TCAVA. Importantly, only 1% favored reducing future veterans disability compensation as an offset for the Major Richard Star Act.
A discharge petition in the House to pass the full Major Richard Star Act without requiring PAYGO offsets, is now just one signature away from forcing a floor vote on the bill.
On the question of whether and how Congress should apply PAYGO budget enforcement rules to veterans legislation generally, 84% opposed using benefits cuts as an offset, and 80% specifically opposed Section 108 of TCAVA—the provision that could cut disability compensation by $57 billion for 1.5 million veterans in the future.
Section 108 was modeled on an old VA proposal from 2022, which was not finalized, calling for dramatically reducing or eliminating disability compensation for nearly all veterans who develop sleep apnea or tinnitus in the future. More than 90% of respondents opposed that proposed VA regulation.
“The message from veterans is clear: Earned benefits should never be sacrificed to pay for other priorities, particularly other veterans benefits,” said DAV National Commander John Donovan. “Disabled veterans deserve the benefits they earned, and Congress should never seek to balance the budget on the backs of veterans.”
The survey was fielded through SurveyMonkey from August 31 to September 5, receiving over 4,200 responses, primarily from disabled veterans, but also from family members, caregivers, and survivors. About 81% were DAV members; 16% were not members. The survey found no substantial variances among responses from disabled veterans, family members, DAV members or nonmembers; all strongly supported the Major Richard Star Act, but opposed TCAVA unless the benefit cuts were removed.
About DAV
DAV is dedicated to ensuring our promise is kept to America’s veterans. DAV does this by helping veterans and their families access the full range of benefits available to them, fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, providing employment resources to veterans and their families, offering programs and services to empower them, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. A nonprofit organization with nearly 1 million members, DAV was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at dav.org.
Attachment
Todd Hunter DAV (Disabled American Veterans) 321-217-8255 thunter@dav.org
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