From the office of Sen. Jerry Moran

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, announced Wednesday the committee will hold a hearing Oct. 29 with the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General and veterans service organization representatives to examine VA's disability compensation process.

The hearing follows recent reporting from The Washington Post on VA's disability program. Moran said millions of veterans depend on disability compensation to cope with serious health conditions from their service, but many find the system complex and time-consuming.

VA Inspector General Michael Mason will testify about safeguards to protect the program's integrity.

Joy J. Ilem, national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, said the organization welcomes the opportunity to address misleading characterizations about disabled veterans and share recommendations for strengthening benefit programs.

The Senate Commerce Committee passed the bipartisan Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act on Tuesday, including provisions from Moran, requiring broad adoption of ADS-B technology.

The legislation responds to the Jan. 29 midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. The flight originated in Wichita.

The bill closes an FAA loophole that allowed most military aircraft to operate without Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out transmitting, which broadcasts an aircraft's precise location. It also requires all aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In, allowing pilots to better visualize and prevent incidents.

The measure directs the FAA to update standards on safe distances between aircraft and controller training, strengthens oversight of mixed air traffic near commercial airports and requires quarterly compliance reports.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Moran, voted Thursday to advance the FY2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, legislation he said would make certain servicemembers continue to be paid in the event of a government shutdown.

Moran cosponsored the Pay Our Military Act of 2026, which would allow servicemembers to continue receiving pay in a shutdown. He urged colleagues to pass the short-term continuing resolution and annual appropriations bills to reopen the government and fulfill constitutional responsibility.

Moran also discussed economic assistance for farmers with Brownfield Ag News following the government shutdown, which caused stress and uncertainty in farm country as farmers struggled to get help from local USDA offices.