Washington, D.C. – House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), released the following statement after the House passed seven bipartisan veterans’ bills this week:
“I am proud to see the House advance six bipartisan bills this week for veterans and their families. Each of these bills will cut through the bureaucratic red tape and get veterans their benefits faster. Including a commonsense bill to cut down on the legal jargon in the disability claims process, and another bill to allow veterans to use their education benefits in the best way that works for them and their family. These are solutions that make a real difference in veterans’ day to day lives,” said Chairman Bost. “I want to thank Rep. Barrett, Rep. Van Orden, Rep. Ciscomani, Rep. LaLota, and Del. Moylan for their leadership on these bills to make VA work better for the veterans, their families, and their survivors it serves.”
The following bills were passed out of the House this week:
H.R. 1228 – Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (Rep. Ciscomani)
H.R. 981 – VETT Act (Rep. Van Orden)
H.R. 983 – Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025 (Rep. Van Orden)
H.R. 586 – Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, as amended (Rep. LaLota)
H.R. 1039 – Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act, as amended (Rep. Barrett)
H.R. 877 – Deliver for Veterans Act, as amended (Del. Moylan)
H.R. 970 – Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025 (Rep. Strickland)
H.R. 1228 – Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (Rep. Ciscomani)
This bill mandates that the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) be repositioned within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, elevating its status from its current placement under the Pension and Fiduciary Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration. The reorganization aims to enhance the support and visibility of services provided to veterans’ survivors. Congress.gov | Library of Congress
H.R. 981 – VETT Act (Rep. Van Orden)
The Veterans Education Transparency and Training (VETT) Act seeks to refine the approval process for educational courses eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits. By modifying these procedures, the bill aims to ensure that veterans have access to quality educational programs. Congress.gov | Library of Congress
H.R. 983 – Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025 (Rep. Van Orden)
This legislation requires the VA to disapprove educational courses offered by public institutions that charge higher-than-in-state tuition rates to individuals utilizing Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve benefits, provided these individuals reside in the state where the education is delivered, regardless of their official state of residence. The goal is to promote tuition fairness for reservists. Congress.gov | Library of Congress
H.R. 586 – Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, as amended (Rep. LaLota)
The bill directs the VA to conduct an epidemiological study on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) among veterans who served in the Vietnam theater during the Vietnam era. The study aims to identify incidence rates among these veterans and compare them to rates in the general U.S. population. Congress.gov | Library of Congress
H.R. 1039 – Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act, as amended (Rep. Barrett)
This act requires the VA to collaborate with a federally funded research and development center to assess the clarity and effectiveness of notices sent to claimants regarding VA benefits. The VA must report the assessment findings and implement recommended improvements to enhance communication with veterans. Congress.gov | Library of Congress
H.R. 877 – Deliver for Veterans Act, as amended (Del. Moylan)
The bill amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to expand the VA Secretary’s authority to provide or assist in providing specially adapted vehicles for disabled individuals. It includes provisions for covering expenses associated with the delivery of such vehicles to eligible persons. Congress.gov | Library of Congress
H.R. 970 – Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025 (Rep. Strickland)
This legislation mandates that the VA periodically review and report on the maximum coverage available under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance programs. The reviews, conducted every five years, must consider the average percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers over the preceding five fiscal years to ensure coverage amounts remain adequate.Congress.gov | Library of Congress
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