Veterans

in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2025

HR 921: Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act

HR 921, the Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds for his heroic actions during World War II. The bill recognizes Edmonds' defiance of Nazi orders to separate Jewish-American soldiers at Stalag IX-A prisoner camp, where he declared "We are all Jews here" to protect approximately 200 Jewish soldiers, saving their lives. The medal, to be struck by the U.S. Treasury and presented to his son or next of kin, commemorates his actions and his posthumous recognition as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem. This commemorative act does not create new policy or affect any group beyond honoring Edmonds' legacy.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRecognizes veteran service through posthumous medal for WWII heroism protecting Jewish soldiers, directly aligning with 'recognizes veteran service' support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · United States · House Mar 21, 2025

HR 1400: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a presumption that certain veterans were exposed to radiation and other toxins at the Nevada Test and Training Range for purposes of the treatment of certain disabilities under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

This bill establishes eligibility for certain disability compensation and benefits for individuals who served at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). The bill establishes that onsite participation on or after January 1, 1972, and before January 1, 2005, at certain NTTR locations where there was a potential of toxic exposure is a radiation-risk activity, therefore providing a presumption of service-connection for specified conditions. The bill specifies the covered NTTR locations include a location at Indian Springs Auxiliary Airfield but do not include a location at Nellis Air Force Base or Creech Air Force Base. The bill also establishes a presumption of toxic exposure for veterans who performed active service at such NTTR locations, including airspace above such locations. Additionally, lipomas and tumor related conditions must be considered as service-connected conditions for veterans who served at the NTTR locations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes presumption for radiation exposure at NTTR, enabling veterans to access VA disability benefits and healthcare services without proving exposure, expanding healthcare access for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes presumption of radiation exposure for NTTR veterans (1972-2005), creating eligibility for disability compensation and benefits under VA laws, directly expanding veterans' access to healthcare and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 4782: Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act

HR 4782, the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act, establishes a USDA program to connect local farmers with food distribution networks. It requires eligible entities (like state agriculture agencies) to use funds to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed local foods from covered producers - including at least 25% from small-size, mid-size, beginning, or veteran farmers - while providing technical assistance for food safety and supply chains. The bill allocates $200 million annually (2026-2030) from the Commodity Credit Corporation, mandating 10% for Tribal governments and 1% per state before distributing remaining funds. This directly supports regional food security by boosting economic opportunities for local farmers and improving access to fresh, nutritious food through established distribution channels.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill requires 25% procurement from veteran farmers, directly supporting their economic opportunities through USDA program funding.85% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · House Jun 6, 2025

HR 3468: Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Families Act

This bill requires five major federal agencies (Social Security Administration, Medicare, IRS, VA, and HUD) to certify to Congress before implementing significant changes like staff cuts exceeding 5% in a year or closing over 5% of regional offices. Agencies must prove such changes won’t reduce benefits, delay payments, increase wait times, or weaken outreach for eligible individuals. An Inspector General must study the impact within one year and, if problems are found, require the agency to reverse the changes (e.g., reinstating staff or reopening offices). The law aims to safeguard access to retirement, health, tax, and housing benefits for millions of Americans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents agency budget cuts that could reduce benefits, protecting Social Security/Medicare funding through certification requirements, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates agencies like Medicare to certify changes won't reduce benefits, delay payments, or weaken outreach, directly protecting existing healthcare services and access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires VA certification to prevent benefit reductions, delays, or weakened outreach for veterans' services, directly protecting healthcare and benefits access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · United States · House Feb 26, 2025

HR 1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the 761st Tank Battalion (known as the "Black Panthers"), the first predominantly Black armored unit in World War II's European Theater. It recognizes their combat service from 1944-1946, including key roles in the Battle of the Bulge and breaking the Siegfried Line, despite facing racial prejudice during and after the war. The medal will be displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. The bill commemorates the battalion's 130,000 enemy casualties inflicted, 50% casualty rate, and their 1978 Presidential Unit Citation. It does not create new laws or affect current policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly recognizes WWII veterans' service with Congressional Gold Medal, aligning with veteran recognition policy indicators.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jan 20, 2026

HR 7152: Yes in God's Backyard Act

This bill establishes two new programs under the National Affordable Housing Act to increase affordable rental housing on property owned by faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education. It provides $25 million annually (2026-2031) for technical assistance to help these groups remove barriers to developing housing for low-income households, including those at risk of homelessness, veterans, and people with disabilities. Additionally, it creates $50 million annually in competitive challenge grants for local governments and states to adopt policies removing barriers and produce housing for households earning below 60% of area median income, with priority for well-resourced neighborhoods. The programs require public planning and reporting to ensure funds directly support affordable housing development on eligible properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $25M/year for housing technical assistance and $50M/year for competitive grants, increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides $25M annual technical assistance and $50M competitive funding to develop affordable housing for low-income households, veterans, and people with disabilities on faith-based/educational properties.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans as a target group for affordable housing funding under $25M annual program, directly advancing veteran housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance Veteran Housing

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in committee · United States · House Jun 5, 2025

HR 3760: Charles B. Rangel Congressional Gold Medal Act

HR 3760, the Charles B. Rangel Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor former U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel for his decades of service to the nation. The medal, to be struck by the U.S. Mint and presented by the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate, will be given to Rangel's children after the ceremony. This commemorative measure recognizes Rangel's contributions as a Korean War veteran, founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, and champion of legislation like the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors Korean War veteran Charles B. Rangel's service with a Congressional Gold Medal, directly recognizing veteran contributions per topic description.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Feb 21, 2025

HR 1502: North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act

HR 1502 authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the volunteers and communities (primarily from Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas) who supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, which will be presented to the individuals who contributed to the canteen’s operations and then permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. It also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint. This is a commemorative measure recognizing historical service, not a policy change affecting current laws or programs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors WWII volunteers who supported veterans via Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing historical service to veterans as per topic indicators.95% confidence

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passed · United States · House Sep 16, 2026

HR 1682: BELO’S Act

The BELO'S Act (HR 1682) amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to provide free lifetime access to federal recreation sites (like national parks and forests) for survivors of military personnel. Specifically, it extends this benefit to individuals already receiving death gratuities under 10 U.S.C. §1475 or dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 13. These survivors typically include spouses, children, or other dependents of service members who died while on active duty. The bill directly affects military families who have lost a loved one in service, adding them as a new eligibility category for recreation passes without altering existing benefits for veterans or other groups.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends free lifetime access to federal recreation sites for survivors of service members who died in line of duty, expanding benefits for veterans' dependents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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passed · United States · House Dec 10, 2025

HR 2290: World War II Women's Memorial Location Act

This bill authorizes the placement of a memorial honoring women who supported the U.S. war effort during World War II (including those working as pilots, engineers, and in factories) on federal land in Washington, D.C. It specifies two locations: Area I on the National Mall map or the National Mall Reserve, as defined in existing law. The memorial was previously authorized by Section 702 of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 117-328), and this bill clarifies its permitted locations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes memorial honoring WWII women who supported war effort (pilots, engineers, factory workers), directly recognizing their service as part of veterans' recognition policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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