HR 659 United States House · 119th Congress

Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025

HR 659, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025, changes how the Board of Veterans’ Appeals appoints new judges. It requires the Board’s Chairman to prioritize candidates with at least three years of legal experience in areas related to veterans' laws when recommending people to the Secretary. This directly affects individuals applying for Veterans Law Judge positions by making specific legal experience a key factor in appointments. The bill does not alter veterans' benefits but aims to ensure judges have relevant legal expertise in handling veterans' cases.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jan 2026

House Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Jan 26, 2026

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

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

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H936)

lower

Sep 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-309.

lower

Jul 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jul 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged

lower

Jun 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee Hearings Held

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors