Veterans

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.

Flight 293 Remembrance Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify and publish information related to non-combat military plane crashes and provide support to families of members of the Armed Forces who die in such crashes. Specifically, DOD must identify and document all non-combat military plane crashes categorized as Operational Loss/Non-War Loss. Further, DOD must develop and maintain a public database of the names, ranks, and service details of all members of the Armed Forces who died in such crashes. DOD must also provide assistance to the families of members of the Armed Forces who have died in non-combat crashes by (1) ensuring the families are aware of and have access to DOD benefits, resources, and support services; (2) offering personalized guidance on navigating and applying for such benefits, resources, and support services; and (3) connecting those families with community and peer support networks. Additionally, DOD must establish a designated point of contact for such families to guide them through the benefits process, provide certain updates, and liaise with relevant agencies or organizations to ensure coordinated assistance. The bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, sex, race, color, or national origin in the provision of assistance and services under this bill.

This bill requests the President to award Kareem N. Dockery the Medal of Honor for his 2012 combat actions in Afghanistan, where he repeatedly risked his life to protect fellow soldiers during an ambush. It specifically authorizes the upgrade from his previously awarded Silver Star, citing his actions that saved a wounded soldier and killed multiple enemy fighters. The bill does not create new policy but applies existing military award procedures to honor one soldier's service. It directly affects only Kareem N. Dockery, who received a Silver Star for these actions in 2012.

ACES Act of 2025 This act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study and report on the prevalence and mortality of cancers among veterans who served on active duty as aircrew members and regularly flew in fixed-wing aircraft.

HR 5012 authorizes the President to award the Purple Heart military decoration to Louis Boria, Jr., for combat injuries he sustained during World War II and the Korean War while serving in the Marine Corps. It specifically waives the standard eligibility criteria outlined in Executive Order 11016 for this single case. The bill directly affects Louis Boria, Jr., by enabling him to receive this honor for his wartime service, with no broader policy changes or additional beneficiaries.

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to exclude specific cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) from SNAP income calculations. It removes from consideration increases in Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or VA benefits that take effect after January 1st of a fiscal year. As a result, households receiving SNAP benefits would no longer see their allotments reduced due to these government-provided income increases. The change applies to income assessed for the entire fiscal year and takes effect October 1, 2027.

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., for his acts of valor during the Vietnam War. It directly affects Capers, who previously received a Silver Star for these actions but was not awarded the Medal of Honor due to time limits. The key provision bypasses standard time restrictions in military award laws (10 U.S.C. §§ 8298(a), 8300) to allow the Medal of Honor award. The bill does not change existing policy but specifically enables this retroactive recognition for Capers' service.

HR 2973 amends the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act to ensure Coast Guard veterans with combat-related injuries receive tax refunds for improperly withheld severance payments, regardless of whether the Coast Guard operates under the Department of the Navy, Homeland Security, or Transportation. It updates the law to include the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Transportation as responsible officials for processing these refunds during periods when the Coast Guard is not part of the Navy. The bill requires these secretaries to identify and refund improperly withheld amounts within one year of enactment and to prevent future withholding errors immediately. This directly affects Coast Guard veterans injured in combat during service periods managed by Homeland Security or Transportation, not just those under the Navy.