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Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2642| House 
| Updated: 5/9/2025
Brian J. Mast

Brian J. Mast

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (9)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)James R. Baird (Republican)Mike Flood (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to allow Members of Congress to use Department of Veterans Affairs facilities for the purpose of meeting with their constituents. Upon request, the Secretary must permit such use, subject to specific regulations. The Secretary and the Administrator of General Services are jointly tasked with identifying suitable and available spaces within VA facilities for these congressional meetings. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary must establish regulations governing this use. These regulations will require that designated spaces are available during normal business hours, are visible and accessible to constituents, and are subject to a rental rate comparable to GSA office space, payable from the Member's official allowance. Importantly, the regulations cannot prohibit Members from advertising their use of these spaces. To ensure proper conduct, the regulations must comply with the Hatch Act and relevant VA rules, explicitly prohibiting activities such as political campaigning, soliciting changes to federal policy, or interfering with facility operations. Furthermore, photographing or recording veteran patients, or any individual without consent, is forbidden, as is photography for political campaign materials. Members will also be barred from using these facilities during the 60-day period immediately preceding a federal election in the relevant jurisdiction, and use cannot be unreasonably restricted if space is available and does not impede VA operations.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2846
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4471
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-562
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2023
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2846
    Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4471
    Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-562
    Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2023


  • April 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


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

Armed Forces and National Security

Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-2642| House 
| Updated: 5/9/2025
This legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to allow Members of Congress to use Department of Veterans Affairs facilities for the purpose of meeting with their constituents. Upon request, the Secretary must permit such use, subject to specific regulations. The Secretary and the Administrator of General Services are jointly tasked with identifying suitable and available spaces within VA facilities for these congressional meetings. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary must establish regulations governing this use. These regulations will require that designated spaces are available during normal business hours, are visible and accessible to constituents, and are subject to a rental rate comparable to GSA office space, payable from the Member's official allowance. Importantly, the regulations cannot prohibit Members from advertising their use of these spaces. To ensure proper conduct, the regulations must comply with the Hatch Act and relevant VA rules, explicitly prohibiting activities such as political campaigning, soliciting changes to federal policy, or interfering with facility operations. Furthermore, photographing or recording veteran patients, or any individual without consent, is forbidden, as is photography for political campaign materials. Members will also be barred from using these facilities during the 60-day period immediately preceding a federal election in the relevant jurisdiction, and use cannot be unreasonably restricted if space is available and does not impede VA operations.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-2846
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4471
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-562
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2023
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-2846
    Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4471
    Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-562
    Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2023


  • April 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 3, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 9, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Brian J. Mast

Brian J. Mast

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (9)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)James R. Baird (Republican)Mike Flood (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)

Health Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted