Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB423

Introduced

2/5/25

Refer

2/5/25

Engrossed

4/9/25

Caption

Improving Veterans’ Experience Act of 2025 Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025 PRO Veterans Act of 2025

Impact

The implementation of SB423 is expected to reform state laws relating to veterans' care by integrating direct veteran feedback into the service enhancement processes. By requiring regular reports and establishing a dedicated office, the bill addresses existing gaps in communication between the VA and the veterans it serves. It emphasizes the importance of having a streamlined system that tracks customer experience metrics, which can lead to effectively tailoring benefits and services to meet veterans’ unique demands.

Summary

SB423, titled the 'Improving Veterans' Experience Act of 2025' or the 'Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025', aims to enhance the budgetary oversight and customer service experience for veterans receiving benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill establishes a new 'Veterans Experience Office' to streamline feedback and enhance satisfaction among veterans and beneficiaries, ensuring that their needs and experiences are prioritized in policymaking. This initiative is meant to provide a structured approach to collecting data on veteran satisfaction and to use this information to improve services offered by VA departments.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment around SB423 is generally positive among advocacy groups and veteran service organizations. Supporters believe that this bill represents a significant step towards improving the relations between veterans and the VA, ultimately leading to better care and service. However, there is some skepticism regarding the actual implementation of the proposed changes and whether they will result in tangible improvements in veterans' experiences. Some critics caution that without sufficient funding and attention to detail in execution, the intended benefits of the bill might not materialize.

Contention

Notable points of contention involve the limitations placed on critical skill incentives for senior executives within the Department of Veterans Affairs as outlined in the bill. This aspect has raised concerns among stakeholders who fear that such restrictions could deter talented individuals from professionals who are crucial for overseeing veterans' affairs, potentially affecting the quality of services offered. There are also discussions on the need for ongoing assessments by Congress to ensure that the newly established Veterans Experience Office operates effectively and that regular feedback from veterans is taken seriously to inform future legislation.

Congress_id

119-S-423

Policy_area

Armed Forces and National Security

Introduced_date

2025-02-05

Latest SB423 Activity

Companion Bills

US SB396

Related bill Stop GREED Act of 2025 Stop Government Rewards Enriching Executives in the District Act of 2025

Previously Filed As

US HB980

Modernizing the Veterans On-Campus Experience Act of 2025This bill removes the requirement that educational and vocational counseling services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on campus at institutions of higher learning must be provided by VA counselors.

US HB554

Veteran's Choice Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate VA programs that furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to ensure that the most intensively used specialized care programs are maintained as centers of excellence. The bill also requires the VA to submit an evaluation of the VA's implementation of the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act.

US SB610

Ensuring VetSuccess On Campus Act of 2025This 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.The VA must ensure that at least one VSOC counselor is located in each state.

US HB981

Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act or the VETT ActThis bill modifies the approval process for certain courses of education for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits.Under current law, educational institutions must provide a personalized form to an individual with certain information (e.g., cost, financial aid, and graduation and job placement rates) prior to enrollment in a course, otherwise such institutions may be subject to certain disciplinary action from the VA or state approving agency. The bill provides that if an educational institution cannot provide the required personalized form to an individual prior to enrollment, the institution must provide notice that specifies which information in the form may be inaccurate or incomplete and the best estimate available for such information.The bill requires the VA to establish and regularly update a website to serve as a central location for information about training for school certifying officials regarding VA educational benefits.

US SB138

VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025

US HB2362

VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025

US SB812

A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure veterans may obtain a physical copy of a form for reimbursement of certain travel expenses by mail or at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

US HB211

Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act