This Senate resolution formally commends the "Donut Dollies" and the earlier "Doughnut Lassies" for their support of U.S. servicemembers during various wars, including World War II and the Vietnam War. The bill recognizes the volunteers' contributions to morale and well-being in combat zones and urges that their story be preserved and shared. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official acknowledgment of their historical service.
This House Resolution encourages small and major businesses across the United States to voluntarily offer military appreciation discounts to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. This initiative is a non-binding gesture to honor their service during the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, relying solely on voluntary business participation without mandates or public funding.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that establishing a "Veterans Appreciation Month" would be a powerful way for the nation to recognize veterans. It suggests this recognition should occur as the United States marks its 250th anniversary of independence.
The El Paso VA Medical Center Activation Readiness Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a briefing to key congressional committees within 180 days of the bill becoming law. This briefing focuses on the readiness of the new VA medical center under construction in El Paso, Texas, directly affecting its future operations and the veterans it will serve. It mandates detailed information on staffing requirements, recruitment plans, the timeline for acquiring and installing medical equipment, and the specialty care services to be offered. The briefing must also cover plans for coordinating with Department of Defense facilities and addressing access and travel issues for veterans in the region.
This bill designates a memorial and museum currently being constructed in Jacksonville, Florida, as the "National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum." The facility aims to honor and educate the public about members of the Armed Forces who were prisoners of war or are missing in action since World War II. To maintain this national designation, the museum's director must submit a report to Congress within 90 days outlining its budget, organizational structure, and accreditation. The designation can be withdrawn if the museum is not operational within five years or if this report is not submitted on time.
This joint resolution encourages U.S. states to establish "Veterans Tax Relief Weekends" to benefit veterans, active duty military personnel, Reservists, and National Guard members. It proposes that states voluntarily implement three-day sales tax holidays coinciding with Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. During these periods, eligible individuals and their families would receive temporary relief from state sales taxes on consumer purchases, offering a practical way for communities to recognize their service.
This bill creates a new commemorative military service medal called the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal to honor veterans who received compensation for herbicide exposure during the Vietnam War. The medal will be designed by the Department of Defense and issued to living veterans or provided to next-of-kin for deceased veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligible recipients include those who receive compensation under existing Vietnam-era herbicide exposure laws or who are officially recognized as Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veterans. The bill establishes an application process for veterans and their families to request the medal through the Department of Defense.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set a standard for how quickly veterans receive appointments after being referred for care, whether at VA facilities or through community providers. The VA Secretary must publish this standard in the Federal Register and report to Congress quarterly on how many referrals meet the timing requirement, broken down by service type and medical center performance. Each report must also include a ranking of VA medical centers from best to worst in meeting the standard, with data available to the public on a VA website. The VA must update the standard as scheduling processes change and include annual progress reports on steps taken to improve care timeliness.
This bill authorizes the creation of a service ribbon for National Guard members who perform homeland defense duties, directly recognizing their service in protecting the country. The legislation allows military department secretaries to award the ribbon to eligible service members or their next-of-kin if the member has died, with the design to be approved by the Secretary of Defense. The bill is based on findings that National Guard deployments in support of homeland security efforts have contributed to reduced crime rates and improved public safety in various locations. It establishes uniform regulations for the ribbon's issuance while leaving the specific design details to the Department of Defense.
This resolution honors the six Ohio Air National Guard airmen who died in a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crash in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury on March 12, 2026. It specifically recognizes the sacrifice of Captain Seth R. Koval, Captain Curtis J. Angst, and Master Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, along with their fellow crew members. The Senate expresses condolences to the families and friends of the fallen and acknowledges the critical role of mid-air refueling missions in supporting U.S. military operations. The resolution also recognizes the high readiness and professionalism of the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which was recently awarded the National Guard Association of the United States Distinguished Flying Unit plaque.