Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Mar 11th, 2025

Meeting Video(s)

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During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.

Bills on the Agenda

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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB124

Introduced
1/16/25  
<p><strong>Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).&nbsp;</p><p>The bill authorizes the VA to remove from civil service, demote, or suspend VA employees that are supervisors or managers if the VA determines by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of such individual warrants such action. This authority does not apply to certain appointees or individuals in their probationary or trial period.</p><p>Supervisors or managers who are subject to a removal, demotion, or suspension under this bill are entitled to (1) advance notice of the action and supporting evidence, (2) representation by an attorney or representative, and (3) grieve the action in accordance with an internal grievance process.</p><p>The bill also provides protections from removal, demotion, or suspension for supervisor or managers who are&nbsp;whistleblowers or are seeking corrective action for an alleged prohibited personnel practice such as discrimination.</p><p>The bill also modifies the procedures to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees or senior executives based on performance or misconduct, specifically by requiring the VA to determine by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. Such procedures must apply retroactively, beginning on the date of enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and&nbsp;Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (June 23, 2017).</p>
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB201

Introduced
1/23/25  
Refer
1/23/25  
A bill to provide for a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as active duty aircrew in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB275

Introduced
1/28/25  
A bill to improve the provision of care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB478

Introduced
2/6/25  
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB410

Introduced
2/5/25  
A bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and services for surviving spouses, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB607

Introduced
2/18/25  
A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an integrated project team to improve the process for scheduling appointments for health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB611

Introduced
2/18/25  
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and to expand eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation paid to certain survivors of certain veterans, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB610

Introduced
2/18/25  
<p><strong>Ensuring VetSuccess On Campus Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program is located in every state. The program supports veterans, servicemembers, and qualified dependents who are transitioning from military service to college life.</p><p>The VA must ensure that at least one VSOC counselor is located in each state.</p>
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB654

Introduced
2/20/25  
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish an external provider scheduling program to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in scheduling appointments for care and services under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB702

Introduced
2/25/25  
A bill to require a study on the quality of care difference between mental health and addiction therapy care provided by health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs compared to non-Department providers, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB787

Introduced
2/27/25  
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a commission to review operations at the Veterans Health Administration and submit to Congress reports with respect to that review, and for other programs.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB831

Introduced
3/4/25  
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve telephone communication by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
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Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB892

Introduced
3/6/25  
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the repayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of benefits misused by a fiduciary, and for other purposes.