Veterans

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 28, 2025

S 274: Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025

This bill amends veterans' benefit rules to ensure families receive full monthly payments when a veteran with an existing pension rating dies during the month. Specifically, it changes the effective date for stopping pension payments from the day of death to the end of the month of death, preventing partial payments for that month. The change applies to veterans receiving pensions under existing ratings or decisions, directly affecting their surviving spouses or dependents. Key provisions update sections 38 U.S.C. §5112 and §5310 to clarify that payments continue through the month of death for these cases. The law takes effect for deaths occurring on or after the bill's enactment date.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnsures surviving families receive full monthly pension payments without partial deductions for the month of death, strengthening benefit continuity for veterans' dependents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 6993: BEACON Act of 2026

The BEACON Act of 2026 establishes two grant programs to improve treatment for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It authorizes $30 million over three years for grants to nonprofits, academic institutions, and health providers to develop and test non-drug neurorehabilitation approaches, focusing on mental health outcomes, suicide risk reduction, and long-term recovery. The bill requires grantees to prioritize patient-centered care, conduct clinical studies, and partner with VA facilities, with each grant capped at $5 million annually. A separate $10 million annual program funds independent research on TBI treatments, requiring third-party analysis and annual reports to Congress. The pilot programs expire after three years, with evaluations to determine future expansion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $30M for mental health-focused neurorehabilitation research and treatment for veterans, directly supporting healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes $30M for veteran mTBI treatment programs, prioritizing mental health outcomes, suicide risk reduction, and non-drug rehab - directly funds and advances veterans' healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2025

HR 554: Veteran’s Choice Accountability Act

The Veteran’s Choice Accountability Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate its hospital, medical, and nursing home care programs to identify the most heavily used specialized services and ensure these are maintained as centers of excellence. It also mandates a two-year assessment of how well the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114-41) has been implemented, with results reported to Congress. These provisions directly affect VA operations and aim to improve accountability in veterans' healthcare delivery. The bill focuses on procedural oversight rather than altering benefit eligibility or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates VA to maintain specialized care centers and assess implementation, strengthening VA healthcare services without restricting access or funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires VA to maintain specialized healthcare services as centers of excellence and assess implementation of existing VA programs, strengthening veteran care delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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passed · United States · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 566: A resolution recognizing that care provided by employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs is essential for meeting the health care needs of veterans of the United States.

This non-binding Senate resolution (SRES 566) recognizes the critical role of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees in providing essential health care to veterans. It highlights the VA's service to over 7 million patients, high veteran trust in VA care, and its performance in quality metrics compared to non-VA facilities. The resolution urges the VA to support its employees and reaffirms congressional commitment to ensuring veterans have access to high-quality, veteran-centered care through VA facilities or community providers. It does not create new policies or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of VA staff contributions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRecognizes VA care as essential for veterans, highlights high trust and quality metrics, urges VA to support employees, reaffirming commitment to quality veteran healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes VA employees' essential role in veteran healthcare, highlights VA's service to 7M+ patients, and urges support for VA staff to maintain quality care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4169: Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2025

HR 4169, the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2025, creates a new federal crime for schemes to defraud veterans of their benefits. It adds Section 1352 to Title 18, making it illegal to knowingly execute or attempt to execute a scheme to defraud an individual of veterans' benefits or to obtain such benefits fraudulently for them. The law specifically defines "veterans' benefits" as any federal benefit for veterans, dependents, or survivors, and sets penalties of fines, up to 5 years in prison, or both. This directly affects veterans and their families by strengthening legal tools to prosecute fraudsters targeting their benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new federal crime for veterans' benefits fraud, enhancing legal protection against financial crimes targeting veterans, directly strengthening criminal justice safeguards.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill criminalizes fraud against veterans' benefits, protecting existing entitlements from theft per Section 1352. Explicitly prevents harm to veterans' benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 1290: Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025

HR 1290, the Veterans Mental Health Crisis Referral Enhancement Act of 2025, requires the VA to create a three-year pilot program connecting veterans in mental health crises with approved non-VA providers. The program, testing in at least three locations, mandates referrals within one week, develops provider approval criteria, and trains VA staff. It includes annual reports tracking referrals, wait times, and veteran satisfaction, plus a final evaluation after the pilot. The bill authorizes $3 million annually (2025-2027) for this referral system, directly affecting veterans seeking urgent mental health care outside VA facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health access via VA referrals, authorizes $3M pilot to reduce wait times and improve veteran crisis response in mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates VA pilot program connecting veterans in mental health crises with non-VA providers, requiring referrals within one week and authorizing $3M funding to improve access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2025

HR 553: BRAVE Act

HR 553 (BRAVE Act) creates a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system to proactively connect veterans with mental health resources. It directly affects veterans enrolled in the VA's annual patient enrollment system who have experienced traumatic or highly stressful events, allowing them to opt-in to receive information about available mental health care services. The bill requires the VA to establish this outreach system within two years of enactment and coordinate it with the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program. This is a concrete policy change focused on improving access to mental health support for veterans in need.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates VA system to proactively connect veterans with mental health services, expanding access to care and aligning with mental health support indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates VA system for proactive mental health outreach to veterans, enhancing access to care without restrictions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2025

HR 1824: Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act

This bill expands benefits for National Guard members injured during State active duty (like responding to disasters). It adds "State active duty" to the definition of qualifying service for retirement pay based on disability, and requires the military to adjust retirement pay if it duplicates other federal or state disability benefits. It also creates new eligibility for VA healthcare to treat disabilities incurred during State active duty, with rules requiring exhaustion of other insurance claims before VA coverage applies. These changes directly affect National Guard members who become disabled while serving under state authority, not federal deployment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands VA healthcare eligibility for disabled National Guard members injured during State active duty, directly advancing healthcare access for this group.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands benefits for National Guard veterans by adding State active duty to qualifying service and creating new VA healthcare eligibility for disabilities incurred during such duty, directly advancing veterans' healthcare and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SRES 28: A resolution honoring the service of women in combat roles in the Armed Forces.

This Senate resolution (SRES 28) honors women who have served in combat roles in the U.S. Armed Forces. It recognizes their contributions, bravery, and sacrifices, specifically highlighting their service since 9/11 - including over 3,000 women earning combat badges - and acknowledges the Department of Defense opening all military roles to women in 2015. The resolution has no binding policy effect; it is a symbolic gesture to celebrate their service and inspire future generations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors women veterans' combat service, aligning with recognition as a support indicator for veterans' recognition policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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passed · United States · Senate Sep 19, 2025

SRES 415: A resolution designating the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week".

This resolution designates the week of September 21-27, 2025, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week" in the U.S. Senate. It directly honors families who lost loved ones while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces (known as "gold star" families) and families of veterans. The resolution encourages Americans to observe the week by performing community service and celebrating these families' sacrifices, without creating new laws or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it does not impose any legal requirements or change existing policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors Gold Star families and veterans' families through designated remembrance week, directly recognizing sacrifices without new funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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