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Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2576| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2025
Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree

Democratic Representative

Maine

Cosponsors (10)
Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 seeks to enhance health care and disability benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). It mandates a report on MST in the digital age, evaluating current VA policies for gaps in coverage related to online or technological communications and recommending revisions. A key focus is on improving the processing of disability claims related to MST. The bill defines MST for compensation purposes and requires the VA to consider a diagnosis, a medical link between symptoms and MST, and credible corroborating evidence from non-military sources like law enforcement records, family statements, or documented behavioral changes. It also ensures that veterans are informed about acceptable evidence and have the opportunity to provide it, with all such claims reviewed by specialized teams . To reduce re-traumatization, the bill allows veterans to choose a VA medical facility for MST-related medical examinations instead of a contractor location. It also establishes a workgroup to review VA correspondence for sensitivity and mandates that all written communications to MST survivors include contact information for MST coordinators, the Veterans Crisis Line, and Vet Centers. The legislation requires the VA to conduct a study on the quality of training for personnel who review MST claims and the accuracy of claims processing procedures. Furthermore, it mandates annual special focus reviews of MST disability claims processing accuracy, with erroneous claims being reprocessed, until accuracy rates consistently reach 95 percent. Access to health care is expanded by making all former members of the reserve components eligible for MST counseling and treatment, regardless of their duty status or line of duty determination. The VA must also proactively send information about available MST services and coordinators to veterans within 14 days of them submitting an MST-related disability claim. Finally, individuals who withdraw from service academies will receive information on VA MST care eligibility and access to relevant service records.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1092
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5666
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-2441
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 1, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1245
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1092
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5666
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-2441
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023


  • April 1, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 1, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 9, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • July 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1245
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-1245: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025
Advisory bodiesAssault and harassment offensesCongressional oversightCrime victimsDisability assistanceEmployment and training programsEvidence and witnessesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessMental healthSex offensesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2576| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2025
The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 seeks to enhance health care and disability benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for individuals who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). It mandates a report on MST in the digital age, evaluating current VA policies for gaps in coverage related to online or technological communications and recommending revisions. A key focus is on improving the processing of disability claims related to MST. The bill defines MST for compensation purposes and requires the VA to consider a diagnosis, a medical link between symptoms and MST, and credible corroborating evidence from non-military sources like law enforcement records, family statements, or documented behavioral changes. It also ensures that veterans are informed about acceptable evidence and have the opportunity to provide it, with all such claims reviewed by specialized teams . To reduce re-traumatization, the bill allows veterans to choose a VA medical facility for MST-related medical examinations instead of a contractor location. It also establishes a workgroup to review VA correspondence for sensitivity and mandates that all written communications to MST survivors include contact information for MST coordinators, the Veterans Crisis Line, and Vet Centers. The legislation requires the VA to conduct a study on the quality of training for personnel who review MST claims and the accuracy of claims processing procedures. Furthermore, it mandates annual special focus reviews of MST disability claims processing accuracy, with erroneous claims being reprocessed, until accuracy rates consistently reach 95 percent. Access to health care is expanded by making all former members of the reserve components eligible for MST counseling and treatment, regardless of their duty status or line of duty determination. The VA must also proactively send information about available MST services and coordinators to veterans within 14 days of them submitting an MST-related disability claim. Finally, individuals who withdraw from service academies will receive information on VA MST care eligibility and access to relevant service records.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1092
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5666
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-2441
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 1, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jul 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1245
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1092
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5666
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-2441
    Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023


  • April 1, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 1, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • April 9, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • July 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1245
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Chellie Pingree

Chellie Pingree

Democratic Representative

Maine

Cosponsors (10)
Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Zoe Lofgren (Democratic)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-1245: Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesAssault and harassment offensesCongressional oversightCrime victimsDisability assistanceEmployment and training programsEvidence and witnessesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessMental healthSex offensesVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation