Veterans

This bill authorizes Congress to award Frank Siller a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his founding of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The foundation supports first responders, military families, and veterans through programs like mortgage assistance, veteran housing, and homelessness support. The medal would be designed and struck by the U.S. Mint, with bronze duplicates sold to cover costs. It is a purely commemorative honor with no policy or funding changes beyond the medal production and sales. The bill directly affects Frank Siller as the recipient of this symbolic tribute.

This bill increases monthly payments to surviving spouses of veterans by changing how the amount is calculated. Instead of a fixed dollar amount ($1,154), payments will equal 55% of the current monthly compensation rate for veterans' disability benefits (section 1114(j)). It also includes a special provision ensuring survivors whose veterans died before January 1, 1993, receive the higher of the old payment amount or the new 55% calculation. The bill directly affects surviving spouses of veterans who qualify for dependency and indemnity compensation.

HR 4704, the ROTOR Act, requires the Defense Health Agency to study cancer rates among military helicopter pilots and aviation support personnel. It directly affects service members who served as rotary-wing aircrew (pilots or support staff) since 1961 and receive VA healthcare. The bill mandates a two-phase study: first, comparing cancer prevalence/mortality for 12 specific cancers (like lung, prostate, and breast cancer) between these service members and the general population; second, if increased rates are found, investigating potential causes like aircraft toxins, radiation exposure, or other service-related hazards. The study will use existing VA and cancer registry data, with findings reported to Congress within two years.

End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish case management to certain veterans who are eligible for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the VA. Specifically, the VA must furnish case management to veterans who are eligible for HUD-VASH that the VA determines require case management. The VA must prioritize vulnerable homeless veterans in assigning case managers and providing services. The VA must take certain actions if a veteran refuses case management. HUD or a public housing authority may not revoke assistance solely on the basis that a veteran has refused case management. Additionally, a veteran may not be evicted or penalized by the owner of a property solely on the basis that they have refused case management or cannot be provided case management for health and safety reasons. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on veterans who are served by the HUD-VASH program, case managers and case management services provided under the program, and metrics about housing stability for veterans participating in federal housing assistance programs. The bill also provides statutory authority to expand eligibility for the HUD-VASH program to any veteran who is homeless, at risk of homelessness, or receiving assistance under another housing assistance program if the VA determines a voucher under HUD-VASH is more appropriate. (Currently, assistance is statutorily limited to certain veterans who have chronic mental illness or substance use disorders.)

This bill directs the Forest Service to convey specified property to Gila County, Arizona, upon the county's submission of a written request for such conveyance. The property, identified as the Gila County Area, consists of approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land located in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. The county must use the land for the purposes of serving and supporting veterans. If any land conveyed under this bill ceases to be used for such purpose, all right, title, and interest in and to the land shall revert to the United States, at the discretion of the Forest Service. The conveyance must be made with a quitclaim deed and without consideration (value, such as payment, provided in exchange for the property). The Forest Service must not be required to provide any covenant or warranty for the land and improvements conveyed to the county under such conveyance. As a condition of the conveyance, the county must pay all the costs associated with the conveyance, including any (1) surveys, (2) environmental analysis or resource survey required under federal law, and (3) analysis required to comply with certain provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act.

HR 2632, the TRICARE Equality Act, updates how the TRICARE health program operates for military beneficiaries in Puerto Rico. It requires the Defense Secretary to treat Puerto Rico similarly to U.S. states when designating TRICARE Prime service areas, expands travel benefits for eligible Puerto Rico residents who would qualify on the mainland, and mandates coordination between federal health offices and Puerto Rico’s health department for health information sharing. The bill also requires the Defense Secretary to report to Congress within 180 days on implementation progress. These changes directly affect military service members, retirees, and their families using TRICARE in Puerto Rico.

HR 586, the Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) rates among veterans who served in the Vietnam theater during the Vietnam era. Using data from the VA Central Cancer Registry and CDC cancer registries, the study will compare cancer incidence rates between these veterans and the general U.S. population, broken down by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and location. The VA must submit an initial report to Congress within one year of the study’s completion, including findings and recommendations for addressing any identified health issues, with ongoing follow-up reports to track trends. This bill specifically affects Vietnam-era veterans who served in Vietnam, focusing on data collection and analysis rather than immediate policy changes.

This non-binding joint resolution (HJRES 149) commemorates the 125th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps' establishment on February 2, 1901, and expresses congressional gratitude for the service of all Army nurses. It directly honors past and present members of the Army Nurse Corps, recognizing their historical contributions in every major U.S. conflict since the Civil War. The resolution contains no policy changes or funding provisions - it solely serves to formally acknowledge their dedication through four statements of tribute and appreciation. As a ceremonial resolution, it affects no legislation or beneficiaries beyond this symbolic recognition.

This bill would rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut, to the "Captain Paul W. Bud Bucha VA Medical Center" upon enactment. It directly affects the facility's official designation and all related federal references. The legislation honors Medal of Honor recipient Paul W. Bud Bucha, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and lifelong advocate for veterans' mental health. The change is purely procedural, updating the facility's name in all official documents without altering services or policies.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the "Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building." It changes all official references to this specific postal facility to reflect the new name. The bill does not alter any postal services, funding, or operations - only the facility's official designation. This is a ceremonial naming action honoring Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr.