A July 1 letter revealed that House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Mike Bost (R-Ill) and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) asked the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to review the VFW’s accreditation along with the standing of its representatives. That letter, published by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Elizabeth Hartman on her Substack, All Due Respect, is a microcosm of the ongoing battle between not just lawmakers in Congress but veterans and the veteran service organizations (VSOs) they belong to—all vocally supporting or opposing the mega-bill package known as the Take Care of America's Veterans Act that includes more than 60 bills, some controversial. The dispute followed the VFW’s opposition to Section 108 of the legislation. The VFW argues Congress should not use projected reductions in future tinnitus and sleep apnea compensation to pay for other veterans programs. Bost once drew a clear line between radical political speech and violence. Now, after the Veterans of Foreign Wars used satirical and historical images to oppose legislation he sponsored, the Illinois Republican has purportedly asked the VA to review the organization’s recognition and its accredited representatives. “The VFW has never apologized for forcefully defending veterans, and we are not about to start now,” VFW national commander Carol Whitmore said. “Political cartoons have long been part of American public discourse because they communicate difficult truths in memorable ways.” Bost and Bergman did not contact the VFW prior to sending the letter, did not identify an accreditation violation, nor did they accuse any representative of mishandling a veteran’s claim before sending their July 1 letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins. That is according to John Muckelbauer, VFW general counsel, who told Military.com on Sunday that the organization agrees with Bost’s 2021 position as it pertains to free speech. “The First Amendment protects opinions that others may find offensive or disagreeable,” Muckelbauer said. “The imagery at issue was political satire. It was not a threat, nor was it a call to violence.” Military.com reached out to Bost's office but received no response.