Veterans (Veteran Benefits)

signed · United States · Senate Nov 25, 2025

S 2392: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025

This bill increases disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans, effective December 1, 2025. The increases will match the percentage rise in Social Security benefits for that year, as determined under the Social Security Act. It directly affects veterans receiving disability payments and surviving family members eligible for survivor benefits under current law. The adjustment ensures these benefits keep pace with inflation, as required by the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment formula.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases disability and survivor compensation to match Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, directly expanding veteran benefits without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6038: Improving Veteran Access to Care Act

The Improving Veteran Access to Care Act (HR 6038) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create and implement a plan to modernize health care appointment scheduling for veterans. The plan must include a new scheduling system allowing veterans to view and book appointments online (for primary, mental health, and specialty care), a self-service platform for booking or requesting referrals, and phone-based scheduling assistance. The VA must submit the plan to Congress within one year of enactment, fully implement it within two years, and provide annual progress reports detailing costs, metrics, and challenges. This bill directly affects veterans seeking VA health care and VA staff managing scheduling operations, focusing on concrete improvements to access and efficiency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModernizes VA scheduling for online booking of mental health and primary care appointments, directly improving veteran access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires VA to modernize scheduling systems for better veteran healthcare access, directly improving service delivery and aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

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

Track

in committee · United States · House Nov 8, 2025

HR 5957: Connecting Veterans to Care Act of 2025

This bill expands federal funding for public transportation by allowing funds to cover transit serving Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities, not just urban areas under 200,000 population. It directly affects public transportation providers operating routes to VA medical facilities by changing eligibility criteria under existing law. Recipients must annually certify that funds are used for VA facility transportation, and failure to comply may result in funding suspension. The key change modifies how transportation funds are allocated to improve access for veterans seeking VA care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands transportation funding to VA medical facilities, improving veteran access to healthcare services per bill's focus on VA care access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands federal funding for public transit serving VA facilities, directly increasing transportation infrastructure support and eligibility beyond current limits.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands federal transit funding to VA facilities, improving access to veteran healthcare services by removing population restrictions and requiring certification for VA-related routes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Public Transit Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 22, 2025

HR 5277: HEAL Act

The HEAL Act (HR 5277) updates transportation benefits for veterans receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. It sets mileage reimbursement rates to match General Services Administration rates for private vehicles (replacing the fixed 41.5 cents per mile), prohibits deductibles for travel to medical appointments, and expands eligible transportation providers to include veterans service organizations and local government agencies. This directly affects veterans needing VA medical transportation and the organizations providing that service. The bill amends Title 38, U.S. Code, sections 111 and 111A to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates travel deductibles and expands transportation options for VA care access, directly improving patient access to healthcare services for veterans.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands eligible transportation providers for veterans' medical travel, increasing access to services and aligning reimbursement rates with GSA standards.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUpdates VA transportation benefits to match GSA rates, eliminates travel deductibles, and expands eligible providers - directly enhancing veterans' access to healthcare services.95% confidence

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

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 19, 2025

HR 4637: Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act of 2025

HR 4637, the Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act of 2025, expands eligibility for certain veterans' benefits to surviving spouses who were married to a veteran for at least one year before the veteran's death, or who lived together as spouses for one year and publicly presented as such, regardless of any subsequent marriages. This bill directly affects surviving spouses of veterans who died while rated totally disabled, removing previous barriers that disqualified them if they remarried during the marriage period. The key change amends Section 1318 of Title 38, U.S. Code, by adding two new qualifying scenarios for benefit eligibility. It focuses on concrete policy adjustments to ensure more surviving spouses qualify for benefits they previously might have been denied. The bill does not change benefit amounts or create new programs, only broadens who meets the existing eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands veterans' benefits by removing remarriage barriers for surviving spouses, directly advancing eligibility for benefits under Section 1151.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 20, 2025

HR 467: Foreign Medical Program Modernization Act of 2025

This bill modernizes the VA's Foreign Medical Program by removing the requirement that veterans must have a service-connected disability to receive overseas medical care. It directly affects veterans seeking medical treatment abroad through the VA, expanding eligibility to those needing care regardless of disability status. Key provisions include updating payment systems to allow electronic reimbursements to providers and assessing contracts with non-VA entities to build a broader care network. These changes aim to simplify access, reduce administrative burdens, and improve the delivery of foreign medical services for eligible veterans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands VA overseas medical eligibility to all veterans needing care (not just service-connected), directly increasing healthcare access and coverage for veterans, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands VA overseas medical eligibility beyond service-connected disability requirement, directly improving veterans' healthcare access through broader coverage and modernized payment systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 19, 2025

HR 39: Original Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2025

This bill creates a $25,000 one-time payment for eligible individuals who served as crewmembers in the U.S. Merchant Marine between December 1941 and December 1946. To qualify, applicants must not have received benefits under the 1944 GI Bill, provide proof of service (like a DD-214), and submit an application to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill authorizes $125 million in fiscal year 2026 to fund these payments, which will be distributed in the order applications are received. It directly affects surviving WWII Merchant Mariners or their estates who meet the service criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $125 million in FY2026 for one-time payments to WWII Merchant Mariners, directly increasing government spending on veterans' benefits.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds $25k one-time payments to eligible WWII Merchant Mariners (veterans) via VA, authorizing $125M to advance benefits for a recognized veteran group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 5932: CLEAN VA Act

The CLEAN VA Act (HR 5932) streamlines disciplinary procedures for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and strengthens fraud prevention. It requires decisions on employee discipline within 15 business days, limits appeals to constitutional issues only, and increases penalties for VA employee fraud (e.g., up to 15 years in prison for misusing veterans' records). The bill also mandates whistleblower protections with 60-day investigation timelines, creates incentives for reporting fraud, and requires a VA review of disability rating systems using AI tools (with human oversight) to identify fraudulent claims. These changes directly affect VA employees through stricter accountability and veterans by aiming to reduce fraud in benefits processing.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates whistleblower protections with 60-day investigations, advancing workers' rights to report fraud without retaliation.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransStrengthens fraud prevention and whistleblower protections for VA employees handling veterans' records, directly protecting veterans' benefits and data integrity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 3170: Stuck On Hold Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement an automated system for most VA service phone lines by one year after enactment. The system must inform callers of their expected wait time and offer a callback if the wait exceeds 10 minutes. The VA Secretary must also issue guidance aimed at reducing the average caller wait time to 10 minutes or less. It directly affects veterans calling VA customer service lines (excluding the specific veterans hotline and emergency department lines).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to VA healthcare services by reducing wait times and implementing callback systems for veterans seeking assistance.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates VA to reduce phone wait times, improving veterans' access to critical services via automated system and callback options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 342: Purple Heart Veterans Education Act of 2025

This bill allows Purple Heart veterans who served after September 11, 2001, to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to family members. Specifically, veterans can transfer up to 36 months of benefits to eligible dependents (like spouses or children) without affecting their own remaining benefits. It sets rules for when dependents can use transferred benefits - children must complete high school or turn 18 first, and benefits expire by age 26 unless used for caregiving or due to school closures. The bill also ensures transferred benefits aren’t treated as marital property and includes special provisions for caregivers of injured veterans or emergency school closures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for veterans' dependents by enabling transfer of GI Bill benefits, directly advancing higher education access without restrictions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands education benefits by allowing Purple Heart veterans to transfer unused GI Bill benefits to family members, directly strengthening veteran support and program access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

Track