On Memorial Day, Lander Announces Veterans Plan to Fix Department of Veterans’ Services & Protect Against Trump’s VA Cuts
Lander: “Memorial Day offers a chance to not just thank our veterans for putting their lives on the line in defense of our country, to reflect on our freedom thanks to their sacrifice, but to create a city that supports our veterans unlike any other.”
NEW YORK, NY — On Memorial Day, in honor of New York City’s 140,000 veterans that have served and sacrificed for our country, Brad Lander released a plan to ensure our veterans are better protected from President Trump’s plan to slash VA services and are no longer left behind when it comes to housing, healthcare, economic opportunity, and social support. Lander’s Serving Those Who Have Served: Renewing NYC’s Commitment to its Veterans is a comprehensive plan to rebuild our veteran support system, helping those who served our country thrive in New York City.
“Memorial Day offers a chance to not just thank our veterans for putting their lives on the line in defense of our country, to reflect on our freedom thanks to their sacrifice, but to create a city that supports our veterans unlike any other,” said Brad Lander. “I’m honored to have collaborated with our vets to create the only bold vision to make New York a true ally and home for our heroes and their families, who, for far too long, have been failed by our City.”
Nearly three-quarters of New York City’s veterans are over 55 years old, and many face serious challenges, including disabilities, substance use disorders, former incarceration, and housing insecurity. While the City has made significant progress in reducing veteran homelessness over the past decade, many veterans still struggle to find stability and thrive in New York City.
As Mayor, Lander will:
Repair critical programs that connect veterans to community resources and peer support, including VetConnect, a platform which connects veterans to service providers; the Joseph P. Dwyer Program, which facilitates peer-to-peer support among veterans; and the Mission: VetCheck program, which has the potential to be a truly proactive and transparent means to refer veterans to needed resources.
Launch new city programs that advance veterans’ economic opportunity and build community, including expanding the City-contracting opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses and piloting veteran-focused older adult centers in every borough.
Enhance resources for veteran-oriented programming and promote transparent and effective leadership at the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS), which is currently understaffed, underfunded, and poorly managed. As Mayor, Brad will:
Fully fund and expand veteran programming and outreach. Unlike the current Mayoral administration, which has sought to cut DVS’s funding year after year, Brad will invest in expanding services — regardless of their discharge status.
Restructure the DVS for accountability and performance. With staff overworked and leadership absent, DVS is failing to meet its mission. Brad will overhaul the agency’s operations, creating a management and operational structure that delivers timely, effective services to veterans across the five boroughs.
Appoint a Veterans Commissioner that reflects our City’s diversity, rather than embodying corruption. Under the current Commissioner, DVS has languished and vets are giving up on getting help from the agency.
Deliver honest and transparent reporting on veterans’ services. Under the Adams administration, key performance data on veteran programs have been misleading or missing.
Brad will stand up to the Trump administration’s attacks on NYC and its veterans, not allowing Trump and DOGE to steal the benefits that our veterans deserve. Brad has a long track record of supporting our veterans, fighting to end veteran street homelessness and equal treatment under the law.
In the City Council, Brad co-sponsored a resolution demanding that Congress pass the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011, which would grant full benefits to Filipinos that served with US forces in WW2.
He also voted to help LGBTQ+ veterans receive the equal benefits under the law, if they had been discharged for reasons relating to their gender identity or sexual orientation.
“As someone who has spent years advocating for New York City’s veterans, I know the difference between lip service and leadership. Brad Lander’s platform for veterans is a blueprint for meaningful action,” said Joe Bello, a Navy veteran and Veterans Advocate at NYMetroVets. “His commitment to realigning critical programs, investing in veteran-focused services, and holding agencies accountable is what our community needs. Brad understands that supporting veterans goes beyond photo-ops and thank yous, it’s about delivering real and lasting results. I’m excited to support his platform to make New York City a leader once again in how we honor and serve those who served and their families.”
“As a combat veteran of the United States Navy, I’ve been deeply disappointed by how veterans have been treated under the current administration. Veterans in New York City have been screaming for help to a mayor who refuses to listen. That’s why I’m supporting Brad Lander. He hears us, he respects our service, and he has a real plan to make this city a place where veterans can thrive,” said Kevin Meggett, Veterans Action Now.
Read Serving Those Who Have Served: Renewing NYC’s Commitment to its Veterans.
###