Markup on Pending Legislation

House Veterans Affairs Committee

May 6, 2025 (recording here)

BILLS CONSIDERED IN MARKUP

• H.R. 217, Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvement Needed for Veterans Act or the CHIP IN for Veterans Act

• H.R. 647, Ensuring Veterans' Final Resting Place Act of 2025

• H.R. 658, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish qualifications for the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist, qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health Administration.

• H.R. 980, Modernizing the Veterans On-Campus Experience Act of 2025

• H.R. 1041, Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

• H.R. 1107, Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025

• H.R. 1286, Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act

• H.R. 1364, Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025

• H.R. 1458, Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025

• H.R. 1578, Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025

• H.R. 1815, VA Home Loan Program Reform Act

• H.R. 1823, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Comptroller General of the United States to report on certain funding shortfalls in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• H.R. 1860, Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act

• H.R. 2201, Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act

• H.R. 3132, Certified Help Options in Claims Expertise for Veterans Act of 2025 or the CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025

• H.R. 1336, Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act

• H.R. 1969, No Wrong Door for Veterans Act

• H.R. 2625, VERY Act of 2025

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE

• Chairman Mike Bost opened the markup by expressing disappointment with the minority’s handling of amendments. He stated that although the Committee followed rules by providing bill text 120 hours in advance, only 7 of 40 minority amendments were filed on time, with over a dozen arriving after the close of business. He criticized the late filings as unproductive but allowed all member amendments to proceed, underlining a desire to uphold fairness and return to good-faith practices.

• Ranking Member Mark Takano opted to reserve his comments for individual bills and amendments.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 217

• The Committee began by discussing the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvement Needed (CHIP IN) for Veterans Act (H.R. 217). Rep. Tom Barrett introduced an amendment in the nature of a substitute (ANS) to reauthorize the pilot program under the CHIP IN Act for five years and expand it to include minor construction and non-recurring maintenance. He claimed that this would allow VA facilities to make timely, cost-effective improvements.

• The Chairman supported the ANS, pointing to the program’s success in Omaha where a facility was completed early and under budget. He credited Rep. Don Bacon for championing the program.

• The ANS to H.R. 217 was agreed to by voice vote. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably to the full House.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1107

• Chairman Bost spoke in favor of the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 (H.R. 1107), noting its importance for enabling telehealth prescriptions, especially for rural and vulnerable veterans.

• Ranking Member Takano introduced an amendment to reinstate telework agreements for VA clinicians who had such agreements before January 20, 2025. He criticized the Trump administration’s return-to-office order, citing privacy concerns and space constraints. The Chairman opposed the amendment, stating that it prioritized federal employees over veterans and did not enhance the bill. The Ranking Member requested a recorded vote after the voice vote failed.

• Rep. Herb Conaway introduced a similar amendment, focused on reinstating telework for mental health providers. He cited data showing high usage of telehealth and concerns over privacy in overcrowded facilities. Chairman Bost reiterated his opposition, stating the amendment shifted focus away from veterans. Rep. Conaway requested a recorded vote after the voice vote failed.

• Rep. Delia Ramirez proposed an amendment reinstating telework for staff in VA Clinical Resource Hubs, citing their success in reaching underserved veterans and concern over resignations caused by return-to-office mandates. The Chairman opposed the amendment, calling it irrelevant to the core bill. Rep. Ramirez requested a recorded vote after the voice vote failed.

• Rep. Ramirez put a second amendment forward, targeting staff at Veterans Integrated Services Networks (VISN)-level Clinical Contact Centers. She argued that these centers provide essential services remotely and should not be forced into ill-equipped office spaces. The Chairman repeated his earlier reasoning for opposing the amendment. Again, Rep. Ramirez requested a recorded vote after the voice vote failed.

• Rep. Kelly Morrison offered an amendment to reinstate telework for VHA Member Services staff, citing their work with sensitive information and lack of in-person veteran interaction. Chairman Bost again objected, maintaining that it focused on employee preference over veteran need. After the voice vote failed, Rep. Morrison requested a recorded vote.

• Rep. Morrison introduced a second amendment focused on telework for staff coordinating community care referrals, citing that their work is fully digital and does not require physical presence. The Chairman continued to oppose on similar grounds. Rep. Morrison requested a recorded vote.

• For her third amendment, Rep. Morrison proposed requiring the VA to report how many telework agreements have been terminated since February 3, 2025. She argued that oversight was needed given widespread reports of poor implementation and negative effects on veteran care. Chairman Bost repeated prior objections. Ranking Member Takano defended the amendment, arguing that the veteran experience is at the heart of telework policy and that efficiency and access are being harmed. Rep. Morrison requested a recorded vote when the voice vote failed.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1969

• The Committee turned to consider the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act (H.R. 1969). Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced an ANS that included two key provisions: (1) reauthorization of the Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and (2) clarification that athletic prosthetics for disabled veterans are medically necessary. She underscored the bill’s holistic approach to veterans’ health and noted past administrative failures despite increased funding and staffing. The Chairman supported the ANS, pointing to its dual focus on mental health and physical well-being for veterans.

• Rep. Ramirez offered an amendment to replace the Fox Grant Program reauthorization text with that from the bipartisan Senate version of the bill, led by Sens. Mark Warner and John Boozman. She argued that the House version fell short on data collection and evidence-based improvement, and she said that adopting the Senate text would ensure bipartisan support and more effective suicide prevention. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, saying the House ANS allowed needed dialogue and reform. He argued that the Senate version lacked a funding offset and did not address existing shortcomings. Rep. Ramirez requested a recorded vote after the voice vote failed.

• Rep. Nikki Budzinski introduced an amendment to the ANS that would require Fox Grant Program grantees to prioritize veterans who have experienced job loss or unemployment since January 20, 2025. She cited the Trump administration’s workforce reductions as increasing veteran economic instability, which is a known suicide risk factor. The Chairman opposed the amendment, arguing that the program already accounts for financial stress and that the proposal politicized suicide prevention. The amendment failed by voice vote, and Rep. Budzinski requested a recorded vote.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment requiring grantees to use the same validated mental health screening tool before and after intervention to improve data quality and reduce redundancy for veterans. He stated that the current ANS lacked adequate data reforms and that this change would support better oversight. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, claiming that the markup was not the right time for major reforms and that the amendment could jeopardize the bill’s passage. The amendment failed by voice vote, and the Ranking Member requested a recorded vote.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1823

• Chairman Bost then called up a bill directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Comptroller General of the United States to report on certain funding shortfalls in the Department of Veterans Affairs (H.R. 1823). Rep. Jack Bergman offered an ANS to require the Comptroller General to conduct annual reviews of VA’s budget process for five years, following a misreported budget shortfall in 2024. He spoke on the need for accountability after Congress was asked for emergency funds, only to learn that the VA had unused reserves.

• The Chairman supported the ANS, calling it a necessary response to budget mismanagement under the Biden administration. The ANS was agreed to by voice vote.

• Rep. Ramirez introduced an amendment to replace the ANS with a report investigating how the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were influencing VA funding and decision-making. She argued that real oversight required transparency from those currently shaping VA operations. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, calling it politically motivated and unrelated to actual budget accountability. The amendment failed by voice vote, and Rep. Ramirez requested a recorded vote.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment requiring the Department of Justice to provide Congress with any evidence gathered during investigations related to VA budget practices. He criticized a recent GOP letter calling for Department of Justice (DOJ) action against Biden-era VA officials as a distraction. The Chairman opposed the amendment, noting that the DOJ is an independent agency and that the Committee would not duplicate its efforts. The amendment failed by voice vote; the Ranking Member requested a recorded vote.

• Ranking Member Takano introduced another amendment requiring that any funds saved by canceling VA contracts under DOGE be reinvested into veteran care or employee assistance programs. He argued this would prevent profiteering and ensure transparency. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, dismissing concerns about DOGE and reiterating that VA Secretary Doug Collins is making resource decisions, not private individuals. Ranking Member Takano requested a recorded vote after the voice vote failed.

• Rep. Tim Kennedy offered an amendment to reinstate all veterans fired from VA since January 20, 2025, ban future hiring freezes, and protect probationary employees. He condemned the Trump administration’s mass firings of VA employees as harmful and unjustified. The Chairman opposed the amendment, arguing the firings were due to Biden-era overhiring and had not reduced services. The amendment failed by voice vote, and Rep. Kennedy requested a recorded vote.

• Rep. Kennedy proposed barring the VA from terminating veterans during any workforce reductions. He argued that veterans bring a vital perspective to the VA workforce. The Chairman opposed the amendment, stating that the VA is not a jobs program and must focus on delivering services efficiently. The amendment failed by voice vote; Rep. Kennedy requested a recorded vote.

• Rep. Kennedy then introduced an amendment to exempt service-connected disabled veterans from any VA workforce reduction efforts. He shared the story of a 90% disabled veteran who was unjustly terminated, calling the firings disgraceful. Chairman Bost again opposed the amendment, stating that the savings from workforce reductions would enhance care delivery and that the VA is not meant to guarantee employment. Rep. Kennedy requested a recorded vote.

• Rep. Budzinski offered an amendment requiring the VA, DOGE, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to brief Congress before each budget submission. She cited concerns about secrecy and lack of transparency in DOGE’s influence over VA decisions. The Chairman opposed the amendment, calling it unrelated to the goal of addressing past budget failures. The amendment failed by voice vote, and a recorded vote was requested.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1336

• The Committee then considered the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Treatment Act (H.R. 1336). Rep. Greg Murphy introduced an ANS to establish a VA pilot program offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He cited growing evidence from the U.S. and abroad of HBOT’s success in reducing symptoms and suicide risk, and he acknowledged bipartisan support for the provision.

• Chairman Bost supported the amendment, calling HBOT a promising, safe, and necessary alternative treatment for TBI and PTSD. The ANS was agreed to by voice vote.

• Rep. Conaway proposed an amendment to ensure that veterans who lose Medicaid coverage under the Trump administration would become eligible for VA healthcare under Priority Group 6. He warned that expected Medicaid cuts would affect over a million veterans. The Chairman opposed the amendment, calling it irrelevant to the purpose of the HBOT pilot and labeling it political theater. The amendment failed by voice vote, and Rep. Conaway requested a recorded vote.

• Rep. Conaway offered another amendment requiring a report on veterans who lost access to clinical trials due to Trump-era VA research cuts. He criticized researcher terminations and argued veterans lost access to life-saving care. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, claiming it was distracting from the HBOT bill. The amendment failed by voice vote; a recorded vote was requested.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 980

• The Committee discussed the Modernizing the Veterans On-Campus Experience Act of 2025 (H.R. 980). Rep. Derrick Van Orden introduced an ANS reducing education requirements for VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) officers, adding a dedicated Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) call center, and allowing flight training under VR&E. The ANS was adopted.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment to prevent the politicization of VA education positions via Schedule F reclassification. He warned that it would erode trust and oversight. The Chairman opposed the amendment, calling it a poison pill. It failed by voice vote.

• The Ranking Member offered another amendment to prevent any reductions in VA education positions through a reduction in force. He warned of delays in processing GI Bill benefits. Chairman Bost opposed it, saying it prejudged a reorganization. The amendment failed by voice vote; a recorded vote was requested.

• Rep. Conaway offered an amendment requiring the VA to issue cash subsidies to veterans who lose SNAP benefits. He warned of devastating cuts to food security. The Chairman rejected the amendment, stating that the VA is not the Department of Agriculture. It failed by voice vote, and a recorded vote was requested.

• Rep. Conaway offered another amendment to reinstate the VA's Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program temporarily to prevent foreclosures while a partial claims program is developed. He criticized the abrupt end of the program and the lack of notice. Chairman Bost opposed it, citing fiscal irresponsibility. The amendment failed by voice vote, and Rep. Conaway requested a recorded vote.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1364

• The Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation (ASSIST) Act of 2025 (H.R. 1364) was then considered. Rep. Barrett introduced an ANS to expand access to VA-funded adaptive vehicle modifications for disabled veterans. He and the Chairman emphasized the bill’s importance and bipartisan support.

• The ANS was adopted. The bill was reported favorably.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1458

• The Committee reviewed the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act of 2025 (H.R. 1458). Chairman Bost introduced an ANS to the bill, improving the GI Bill by making hybrid and online education programs eligible, allowing service members called to duty mid-semester to still receive grades, and refunding Montgomery GI Bill contributions for Post-9/11 users. The ANS was adopted.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment addressing concerns with the Department of Education's ability to handle accreditation and Title IV approval under executive orders. He stated that veterans need protection from predatory institutions. The Chairman opposed the amendment due to a lack of regular order. It failed by voice vote.

• Rep. Ramirez offered an amendment adding the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act to expand benefits. She supported fairness and equity for non-active duty servicemembers. The Chairman opposed the amendment, citing cost and benefit disparities. The amendment failed by voice vote; a recorded vote was requested.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1815

• Chairman Bost then pulled the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (H.R. 1815) for discussion. Rep. Van Orden introduced an ANS to replace the canceled VASP program with a fiscally responsible partial claims option. He and the Chairman supported the bill as a bipartisan solution to prevent veteran foreclosures. The ANS was adopted.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment establishing a foreclosure moratorium and ensuring temporary protections until a new program is in place. He emphasized the urgency for the 80,000 veterans facing foreclosure. The Chairman and Rep. Van Orden supported the amendment and praised the bipartisan collaboration. The amendment was adopted.

• Ranking Member Takano introduced another amendment that would impose a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures after enactment, providing relief to veterans while the VA's partial claims program is established. He said that this step would help prevent avoidable foreclosures for veterans during a challenging economic forecast.

• Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, arguing that it would reinstate elements of the VASP program, which he claimed was fiscally irresponsible and created under unauthorized authority. He criticized the amendment as violating a bipartisan agreement made over the weekend to avoid partisan changes that could jeopardize the bill's passage. Rep. Van Orden echoed the Chairman’s concerns, asserting that the amendment breached trust and risked bankrupting the VA home loan guarantee program. He expressed frustration that bipartisan cooperation had been disregarded.

• Rep. Conaway spoke in support of the amendment, stating that preventing foreclosures is less costly and more humane than allowing them. He stressed the importance of timely action for tens of thousands of veterans. Rep. Chris Pappas also supported the amendment, citing a constituent case involving a disabled veteran who was unable to access VASP. He argued that a moratorium would provide critical breathing room until the partial claims program is ready.

• The Ranking Member clarified that the amendment would not reinstate VASP but would pause foreclosures until a replacement program is operational. He highlighted that this modest proposal would protect 80,000 veterans currently at risk.

• The amendment failed by voice vote. A recorded vote was requested and postponed.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 647

• The Committee then discussed the Ensuring Veterans' Final Resting Place Act of 2025 (H.R. 647). Chairman Bost introduced an ANS to close a loophole that prevented veterans from being buried with their spouses if a VA plaque was chosen. It also included a provision allowing for headstones or markers for veterans' loved ones who died before 1998.

• Rep. Kennedy offered an amendment to the ANS to establish a pilot program to furnish headstones for veterans who passed away before November 1, 1990. He cited the case of a constituent whose father, a decorated WWII veteran, could not be memorialized due to outdated regulations. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, citing a lack of veterans service organization (VSO) feedback, VA input, and cost estimates. The amendment failed by voice vote.

• Rep. Kennedy offered a second amendment to exempt National Cemetery Administration (NCA) employees from Schedule F reclassification, citing concerns over the arbitrary firing of civil servants under a revived Trump-era policy. The Chairman opposed the amendment, claiming that it was premature, lacked input from the VA or Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and could jeopardize the bill’s passage. The amendment failed by voice vote.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1286

• The Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act (H.R. 1286) was then introduced. Chairman Bost offered an ANS requiring the VA to contract with independent researchers to improve the clarity and usability of claims forms. He stated that unclear forms delay or wrongly deny benefits and that this bill would modernize the process.

• The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the House.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1041

• The Chairman pivoted to the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act (H.R. 1041). He introduced an ANS, which would prohibit the VA from reporting veterans with fiduciaries to the FBI’s background check system without a judicial ruling. He underscored that the current practice violated veterans’ constitutional rights and fueled distrust in the VA.

• Rep. Morrison offered an amendment to carve out exceptions for veterans with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia or Alzheimer’s, allowing the VA to continue reporting them to NICS. She argued that this would help prevent harm and suicide among high-risk veterans. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, claiming that it risked the bill’s passage and stigmatized veterans. The amendment failed by voice vote. A recorded vote was requested and postponed.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment to require a secondary medical opinion before the VA could report a veteran to NICS. He argued that it would balance the bill’s due process goals with protections for vulnerable veterans. Chairman Bost strongly opposed the amendment, asserting that it would replace the bill’s core provisions and risk passage. The amendment failed by voice vote. A recorded vote was requested and postponed.

• Rep. Morgan McGarvey offered an amendment clarifying that the VA should seek a judicial order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) when reporting a veteran to NICS, citing the court’s expertise and independence. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, arguing that it was unnecessary and unvetted. The amendment failed by voice vote. A recorded vote was requested and postponed.

• Rep. Morrison offered a second amendment, delaying the implementation of H.R. 1041 until the VA Secretary certifies that it would not increase suicide risk. Ranking Member Takano supported the amendment, underlining the need for caution. Chairman Bost opposed it, calling it a barrier to veterans’ rights. The amendment failed by voice vote. A recorded vote was requested and postponed.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 3132

• The Chairman and Rep. Bergman introduced the Certified Help Options in Claims Expertise (CHOICE) for Veterans Act of 2025, aiming to incorporate private agents into the VA’s accreditation system while punishing predatory practices. Both conveyed that the bill preserves veterans’ freedom to choose representation and imposes new guardrails and penalties.

• Rep. Pappas offered an amendment replacing the bill with his GUARD VA Benefits Act, which would restore criminal penalties for unaccredited claims consultants. He argued that H.R. 3132 legalized bad actors’ conduct. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, stating that the GUARD VA Benefits Act lacked Senate viability. The amendment failed by voice vote, and Rep. Pappas requested a recorded vote was requested and postponed.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment to index veterans’ disability and survivor benefits to inflation, citing concerns that H.R. 3132 allowed fees to increase annually while veterans’ benefits do not. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, calling it a poison pill. The amendment failed by voice vote. A recorded vote was requested and postponed.

• Rep. McGarvey offered another amendment to exempt VA employees in claims-related roles from Schedule F reclassification. He stated that this would protect professional integrity and prevent political firings. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, calling it premature and risky for the bill’s passage. The amendment failed by voice vote; a recorded vote was requested and postponed.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1860

• The Committee then discussed the Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act (H.R. 1860). Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano voiced support for the bill, which would require the VA to designate coordinators for breast and gynecological cancer care in each VISN. Both underscored the bill’s role in improving care for women veterans.

• Chairman Bost offered and passed an amendment to offset the cost. The bill was reported favorably to the House.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON H.R. 1578

• Regarding the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 (H.R. 1578), Ranking Member Takano offered an ANS requiring the VA to notify claimants about free accredited representation and how to report bad actors.

• Chairman Bost supported the amendment and the bill, citing its value to veterans. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably to the House.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON THE EN BLOC

• The Committee considered the following bills en bloc: the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act (H.R. 2201), the VERY Act of 2025 (H.R. 2625), and a bill establishing qualifications for the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist, qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health Administration (H.R. 658).

• Ranking Member Takano expressed support for the en bloc, highlighting H.R. 658’s effort to ensure equitable supervisory opportunities for licensed marriage and family therapists and H.R. 2625’s modernization of the veteran readiness and employment program.

• Rep. Julia Brownley praised H.R. 658 for ensuring that therapists certified by alternative associations could be promoted to supervisory roles. She also spoke in favor of H.R. 2625 for improving employment access for disabled veterans.

• The Ranking Member also spoke in favor of H.R. 2201, which strengthens training for VA staff handling military sexual trauma claims. He argued that the bill would prevent retraumatization and ensure survivors are treated with care.

• No amendments were offered. The three bills were reported favorably to the House.

RESULTS OF RECORDED VOTES

• All outstanding proposed amendments to H.R. 1107, H.R. 1969, H.R. 1823, H.R. 1336, H.R. 980, H.R. 1458, H.R.1815, H.R. 1041, and H.R. 3132 failed by votes along party lines.

• The only exception was the Rep. Pappas amendment to H.R. 3132. The vote was tied 12-12, but it ultimately failed.

• The remaining 9 bills were favorably reported to the House.

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