Veterans' Affairs Committee

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

This Senate resolution designates September 20, 2026, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day to honor the service of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals in the U.S. Armed Forces. The text acknowledges historical discrimination, including the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and bans on transgender service, which resulted in thousands of discharges and denied benefits. It urges the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to end the current ban on transgender military service and restore access to gender-affirming health care for veterans and active duty personnel. Additionally, the resolution calls for these agencies to improve outreach so that individuals discharged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity can receive the benefits they are owed.

The VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment Act modifies federal law to extend the authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary to waive salary caps for critical health care personnel. This change directly affects VA employees in these roles by allowing them to receive compensation above standard limits for a longer period than previously authorized. The bill achieves this by removing an earlier expiration date and establishing a new deadline that is five years after the enactment of the act.