FOVA submits formal comments on OMB's proposed rule (Docket OMB-2026-0034), warning that provisions on political review, discretionary termination, and international collaboration would cause serious and lasting harm to VA research.

The FOVA Executive Committee appreciates that the final FY26 MilCon-VA agreement preserves full-year funding for the VA and maintains strong support for the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research program.

The FOVA coalition is deeply concerned about the potential impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown on the VA research mission and health care delivery.

FOVA commends VA's hiring freeze exemptions for critical research personnel but warns that OPM's failure to release VA appointments has halted the hiring process, disrupting research and clinical trials.

FOVA's statement for the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing "Biomedical Research: Keeping America's Edge in Innovation," recommending $1.2 billion for the VA Medical and Prosthetic Research program for FY 2026.

FOVA warns that the federal hiring freeze and mass dismissal of VA employees will have an immediate and detrimental impact on veteran care, patient safety, and VA medical research.

FOVA expresses deep concern regarding the OGE's interpretation of conflict-of-interest statutes (18 U.S.C. §§ 203, 205 and 208) and urges the Administration to act swiftly.

FOVA shares serious concerns regarding the OGE's new interpretation of 18 U.S.C. §208 and requests congressional support for the existing proposed legislative solution.

FOVA formally requests that the VA delay implementation of the new 18 U.S.C. Section 208 interpretation until a legislative solution can be enacted, warning it could impact more than 6,500 researchers across VA.

FOVA urges Congress to prioritize robust resources for the VA as the Veterans Health Administration faces a projected shortfall of nearly $12 billion in 2025.