Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB1656

Introduced
2/27/25  
Refer
2/27/25  

Caption

PLUS for Veterans Act of 2025 Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2025

Impact

The amendments proposed in the bill seek to amend Title 38 to enhance the regulatory framework governing the recognition of agents and attorneys in veterans' claims. It specifies that certain actions, such as administering medical examinations, do not qualify as the preparation or presentation of claims, thus shaping how claims are processed. Furthermore, it seeks to maintain accountability by reinstating penalties for unauthorized fees charged by agents and attorneys, ensuring that veterans are not exploited during the claim process.

Summary

House Bill 1656, known as the 'Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2025,' aims to improve the structure surrounding legal representation for veterans seeking benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill focuses on clarifying the roles of agents and attorneys in advocating for claimants, specifically addressing fee agreements between claimants and their representatives. By allowing for certain fee arrangements, the bill is intended to facilitate better access to legal assistance for veterans as they navigate the complexities of benefit claims.

Contention

One notable point of contention in the discussions around HB1656 lies in the balance of power between state and federal laws. The bill stipulates that federal regulations will preempt any inconsistent state laws, which raises questions about the autonomy of state legislatures in matters of veteran assistance programs. This preemption clause has the potential to centralize regulatory oversight within the federal framework, drawing concerns from advocates who support localized governance and oversight in veteran services.

Congress_id

119-HR-1656

Policy_area

Armed Forces and National Security

Introduced_date

2025-02-27

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

US SB243

Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2025 Radiation Exposure Compensation Expansion Act

US HB1578

Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to, upon receipt of an initial claim for benefits from a claimant that is not represented by an accredited person (i.e., a veterans service organization, attorney, or agent recognized by the VA), provide (1) notice that an accredited person may assist the claimant, (2) notice that a veterans service organization may represent the claimant for free, (3) information regarding a search tool to find an accredited person to assist in the filing of claims, and (4) information on how and where to report a person who is not accredited and charged a fee to assist with a claim.In its web portal, the VA must provide a warning regarding fees an agent or attorney may charge for assistance in filing benefits claims. (Under current law, fees are generally prohibited for filing an initial claim.)

US HB1746

SAVE Act Standardizing Accreditation information for Veteran Ease Act

US HB463

Lower Your Taxes Act

US HB1868

Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025

US HB251

Legal Workforce ActThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify.The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents.Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-Verify.The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers.Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the system.The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different sizes and categories of employers, including agricultural employers.The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.

US HB830

SAFE Act Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act

US SB5

Laken Riley ActThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.Under this bill, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.The bill also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over adecision to release a non-U.S. national from custody;failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews;failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country;violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; orfailure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.