Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB1753

Introduced
3/23/23  
Refer
3/23/23  
Refer
4/14/23  

Caption

To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.

Impact

If passed, HB1753 would obligate the Secretary of the Armed Forces to ensure that those who served in this capacity receive the appropriate credit in military service records and subsequent retirement pay computations. Furthermore, the bill entails that claims for veterans’ benefits related to service-connected disabilities or deaths incurred during this service must be treated with the same regard as engagement in combat with the enemy. This includes prioritizing the evaluation of these claims and facilitating outreach efforts for eligible individuals.

Summary

House Bill 1753 aims to recognize and provide due credit to members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams. This program was established in 2010 to bridge significant intelligence gaps during military operations, particularly throughout the Global War on Terror. Over the span of 2010 to 2021, hundreds of female service members engaged in direct actions alongside special operations forces, often putting their lives on the line. This bill seeks to ensure that their sacrifices and contributions are properly acknowledged in official military records and benefit calculations.

Contention

The potential passage of HB1753 appears likely to spark discussion around the adequacy of current benefits afforded to veterans, especially regarding mental health and physical injuries incurred during service. Critics may question whether this bill sufficiently addresses the ongoing issues faced by veterans seeking healthcare and benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. There is also concern regarding the administrative burdens placed on the Veterans Affairs Department in terms of processing these claims, emphasizing the need for improved training and guidelines for employees handling veteran cases.

Companion Bills

US SB2014

Related A bill to ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service, and for other purposes.

Previously Filed As

US SB1245

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

US HB2576

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

US HB3830

American Patriots of WWII through Service with the Canadian and British Armed Forces Gold Medal Act of 2025

US HB2157

To provide that members of the Armed Forces performing services in Kenya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad shall be entitled to tax benefits in the same manner as if such services were performed in a combat zone.

US HB3202

MIDWIVES for Service Members Act of 2025 Maternal and Infant Delivery Wellness and Integration with Vital Expertise Support for Service Members Act of 2025

US HR528

Expressing support for the designation of June 19, 2025, as "Veterans of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day".

US HB1753

Community News and Small Business Support Act

US HB1978

To direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy to treat obesity as a disease and reduce the prevalence of obesity in certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.

US HB683

Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to carry out all activities necessary to permit certain members of the Armed Forces to elect to enroll in the VA health care system on the date of separation of such members from active service. Specifically, the program is for those who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998.The VA must, in conjunction with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security, establish a mechanism to permit a member of the Armed Forces to elect to pre-enroll in the VA health care system during the 180-day period preceding the date of separation of the member from active service.The VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee must brief Congress on the efforts to implement such a mechanism under the program.The Government Accountability Office must report on the program and include recommendations with respect to methods to improve the program.

US HB518

Troops Before Politicians ActThis bill withholds the pay of Members of Congress if active service members of the Armed Forces are not receiving pay, including as a result of a lapse in appropriations (i.e., a government shutdown). The withheld pay of Members must be deposited into an escrow account and released when the military lapse in pay ends.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.