Defence

Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2025

Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a program to provide, upon request, a firearm lockbox (or voucher for such item) to eligible individuals. Currently, there is a pilot program under which certain veterans may be prescribed a lockbox by a VA clinician. The VA must also provide information with respect to the benefits of and options for secure firearm storage. The VA must develop an informational video on the secure storage of firearms as a suicide prevention strategy and publish the video on its website. Additionally, the VA must publish information to inform individuals who participate in the lockbox program that such lockboxes are not for resale. The VA must also implement a public education campaign to educate eligible individuals about the availability of lockboxes under the program and that participation in the program does not affect the rights of an individual with respect to the lawful ownership of a firearm.

Veterans SPORT Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2025

Veterans Supporting Prosthetics Opportunities and Recreational Therapy Act or the Veterans SPORT Act This bill includes adaptive prostheses and terminal devices for sports and other recreational activities within the definition of medical services under the laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Under the bill, these artificial limbs must be furnished as medical services to eligible veterans.

Recognizing the roles and contributions of military animals and their valiant human handlers for bravery in both war and peace, and acknowledging the importance of honoring their valor and meritorious achievements.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2025

This resolution recognizes and thanks American service animals and their handlers who serve the United States in times of war and peace and supports the creation of an annual process to nominate animals for the Medal of Bravery and the Distinguished Service Medal.

Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2025

Pay Federal Workers and Servicemembers Act This bill makes federal civilian and military personnel who are excepted from furlough during a government shutdown eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.  During a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations, federal employees who are excepted from furlough are required to report for work and perform duties, but their pay is delayed until appropriations legislation is enacted. Under guidance issued by the Department of Labor, excepted employees who are performing services (but whose payment for that work is delayed) are generally ineligible for unemployment compensation benefits based on states' definitions of unemployment.  This bill provides that, for the purpose of determining eligibility for unemployment compensation during a government shutdown, excepted employees are deemed to be (1) totally separated from federal service, and (2) eligible for unemployment compensation benefits with no waiting period for the eligibility to accrue.  The bill applies to the following federal personnel who are excepted from furlough and are not being paid due to a government shutdown: (1) any member of the Armed Forces or the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and (2) any federal civilian employee who is an excepted employee or an employee performing emergency work. 

DEFENSE MOBILIZATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY

United States · United States Senate · 6 March 2025

Pay Our Military Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Pay Our Military Act of 2025 This bill provides continuing appropriations for military pay for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2025 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). Specifically, the bill provides FY2025 continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; and (2) civilian personnel and contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to such members of the Armed Forces. If a government shutdown occurs, the bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2026. 

Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025 This bill modifies the procedures by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reissues misused benefits to a beneficiary, including by requiring the VA to establish methods and timing with respect to determining whether an instance of misuse by a fiduciary is the result of negligence by the VA. The bill also provides that if a beneficiary predeceases a reissuance, the VA must pay the amount to a surviving beneficiary in the same method as certain other VA benefits are paid upon the death of a beneficiary. Under the bill, the VA may not withhold the reissuing of a benefit payment by reason of a pending determination regarding the VA's negligence in relation to the instance of misuse by a fiduciary. Additionally, the VA is not required to make a determination regarding its negligence for each instance of misuse by a fiduciary of all or part of an individual's benefit paid to such fiduciary.

Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

FARMLAND Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense Act of 2025 or the FARMLAND Act of 2025 This bill expands federal authority and oversight over foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural industry. The bill expands the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to include the review of land transactions (involving foreign entities) that exceed $5 million or 320 acres of land over the preceding three years. This applies to land that is primarily used for agriculture, the extraction of energy sources, or the extraction of critical precursor materials for biological technology industries, information technology components, or national defense technologies. Further, the bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to CFIUS membership. As background, CFIUS is an interagency committee that oversees the national security risks of certain foreign direct investment in the U.S. economy, including by reviewing certain real estate transactions. Further, the bill expands enforcement of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must appoint a Chief of Operations of Investigative Actions to (1) monitor AFIDA compliance, and (2) conduct investigations on efforts to steal agricultural knowledge and technology and to disrupt the U.S. agricultural base. The bill prohibits foreign persons who own or operate land from participating in Farm Service Agency programs and establishes penalties for violators. The bill also requires USDA and the Department of Homeland Security to jointly develop a database of agricultural land owned by foreign persons.

PASS Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act or the PASS Act This bill establishes requirements to address the national security risk to the U.S. agricultural sector. Specifically, the bill prohibits foreign persons (i.e., individuals or entities) who are acting on behalf of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from engaging in certain transactions that would result in the person (1) purchasing or leasing U.S. agricultural land near a military installation or another facility or property that is sensitive for national security reasons, or (2) controlling a U.S. agricultural company. The prohibition does not apply if a party to the transaction voluntarily chooses to abandon the transaction. The President may waive this prohibition, on a case-by-case basis, if the waiver is in the national interest. The bill also places the Secretary of Agriculture on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) with respect to transactions (1) related to the purchase of agricultural land or agricultural biotechnology, or (2) otherwise related to the U.S. agricultural industry. The bill also requires CFIUS to review certain transactions involving investments by foreign persons in U.S. agricultural land. The President must direct the issuance of regulations to implement these changes. The regulations must take effect not later than one year after the bill's enactment. Further, the prohibitions and requirements in this bill (1) take effect 30 days after the effective date of the regulations; and (2) apply to any covered transactions that are proposed, pending, or completed on or after the effective date.

Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a five-year pilot program to give preference to any procurement action or solicitation with a non-public partner that uses a government-owned and operated arsenal of the Department of the Army in any type of contractual agreement with the government. Under the program, DOD must add 20% to the price of the bid of non-public partners that do not use a government-owned arsenal. DOD must also give preference to non-public partners that utilize the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence of the Army and ensure not less than 25% of the activities under the partnership are performed by DOD employees.

U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the conflict in Sudan, including requiring sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals or entities) and authorizing U.S. assistance for a multinational force in Sudan. The bill requires the President to select various sanctions to impose on each foreign person the President determines (1) has knowingly perpetrated, directed, or enabled genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity against civilians in Sudan since April 2023; (2) has knowingly engaged in systematic blocking of and interference with the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Sudan since April 2023; or (3) is violating the UN arms embargo on Darfur, a region in western Sudan. Sanctions that may be imposed include blocking of property, blocking of visas, or bans on loans.  The bill also authorizes the Department of State to provide assistance to deploy and sustain a multinational force to advance civilian protection, facilitate humanitarian operations, and monitor any prospective ceasefire in Sudan.  No major defense equipment may be sold, exported, or transferred to any country the President identifies as supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces (Sudan's military) or the Rapid Support Forces (a paramilitary force in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces).  The State Department and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations must advocate for and support certain policies in multilateral bodies, such as unimpeded humanitarian access in Sudan and the documentation of atrocities. The bill extends the position of special envoy for Sudan through December 23, 2029.

Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish a five-year pilot program to give preference to any procurement action or solicitation with a non-public partner that uses a government-owned and operated arsenal of the Department of the Army in any type of contractual agreement with the government. Under the program, DOD must add 20% to the price of the bid of non-public partners that do not use a government-owned arsenal. DOD must also give preference to non-public partners that utilize the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence of the Army and ensure not less than 25% of the activities under the partnership are performed by DOD employees.

Military Helicopter Training Safety Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Military Helicopter Training Safety Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report on the feasibility of installing a traffic alert and collision avoidance system in each military rotary-wing aircraft. Additionally, DOD must also report on the feasibility of installing automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast IN (ADS-B IN) capability in each military rotary-wing aircraft. (ADS-B IN generally provides operators of properly equipped aircraft with weather and traffic position information.)

BAH Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

BAH Restoration Act This bill increases the monthly amount of the basic housing allowance for members of the uniformed services inside the United States. Specifically, the monthly amount of allowance for a member must be the amount of the monthly cost of adequate housing in the area, as determined by the Department of Defense, for members of the uniformed services serving in the same pay grade and same dependency status as the member. (Currently, the allowance is based on the difference between this amount and a percentage of the national average monthly cost of housing for members with the same pay grade and dependency status.)

Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish case management to certain veterans who are eligible for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the VA. Specifically, the VA must furnish case management to veterans who are eligible for HUD-VASH that the VA determines require case management. The VA must prioritize vulnerable homeless veterans in assigning case managers and providing services. The VA must take certain actions if a veteran refuses case management. HUD or a public housing authority may not revoke assistance solely on the basis that a veteran has refused case management. Additionally, a veteran may not be evicted or penalized by the owner of a property solely on the basis that they have refused case management or cannot be provided case management for health and safety reasons. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on veterans who are served by the HUD-VASH program, case managers and case management services provided under the program, and metrics about housing stability for veterans participating in federal housing assistance programs. The bill also provides statutory authority to expand eligibility for the HUD-VASH program to any veteran who is homeless, at risk of homelessness, or receiving assistance under another housing assistance program if the VA determines a voucher under HUD-VASH is more appropriate. (Currently, assistance is statutorily limited to certain veterans who have chronic mental illness or substance use disorders.)

Defense Against Drones Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Defense Against Drones Act of 2025 This bill allows an individual to shoot an unmanned aircraft (i.e., drone) using a legally obtained shotgun if the individual reasonably believes the drone is flying not more than 200 feet above the individual's property. This is subject to applicable state law on the discharge of a firearm. Not later than 60 days after an event in which an individual shoots a drone and is able to identify its registration number, the individual must report the event's location and the registration number to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An individual may, but shall not be required to, return the drone to the owner at the owner's request. The FAA must issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this bill.

Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Pay Our Troops Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Pay Our Troops Act of 2025 This bill provides continuing appropriations for military pay for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2025 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). Specifically, the bill provides FY2025 continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; and (2) civilian personnel and contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to such members of the Armed Forces. If a government shutdown occurs, the bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2026. 

Simplifying Veterans Assistance Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Simplifying Veterans Assistance Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide specified guidance to entities seeking grants for the provision of comprehensive service programs to homeless veterans (e.g., rehabilitative services). Specifically, the VA must provide guidance and best practices on a publicly available VA website. Additionally, after the announcement of a funding notice and before the application deadline, the VA must offer at least two online information sessions for entities seeking grants. 

Veterans Homecare Choice Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Veterans Homecare Choice Act of 2025 This bill includes any nurse registry as an eligible health care provider under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the bill, a nurse registry is a person who satisfies applicable state licensure requirements and procures, or attempts to procure, contracts or agreements on behalf of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health aides, companions, or homemakers under which such individuals may furnish health care-related or assistive services and receive compensation.

TREAT PTSD Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2025 This bill requires congressional approval for a presidential import adjustment due to a national security threat from an import and limits the adjustments to certain goods that are essential to national security. Specifically, the bill limits the President's authority for such import adjustments to goods related to the development, maintenance, or protection of military equipment, energy resources, or critical infrastructure essential to national security. The bill specifies that the term national security (1) means the protection of the United States from foreign aggression, and (2) does not otherwise include the protection of the general welfare of the United States. The bill requires the President to submit a proposal to Congress to adjust imports. Congress must then approve the proposal with a joint resolution before an import adjustment takes effect. Under current law, the President determines whether any adjustment of an import is necessary and must submit to Congress the reasons for any action taken or not taken. Currently, there is a congressional disapproval mechanism to override presidential actions related to petroleum imports. The bill also requires the Department of Defense (currently, the Department of Commerce) to investigate the effect of these imports on national security and submit a report before the President determines whether an adjustment to an import is necessary, establishes requirements for a process to grant requests to exclude certain goods from import adjustments, and  applies retroactively to any proposed action taken up to six years before the enactment of this bill. 

Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025 This bill modifies the procedures by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reissues misused benefits to a beneficiary, including by requiring the VA to establish methods and timing with respect to determining whether an instance of misuse by a fiduciary is the result of negligence by the VA. The bill also provides that if a beneficiary predeceases a reissuance, the VA must pay the amount to a surviving beneficiary in the same method as certain other VA benefits are paid upon the death of a beneficiary. Under the bill, the VA may not withhold the reissuing of a benefit payment by reason of a pending determination regarding the VA's negligence in relation to the instance of misuse by a fiduciary. Additionally, the VA is not required to make a determination regarding its negligence for each instance of misuse by a fiduciary of all or part of an individual's benefit paid to such fiduciary.

FARMLAND Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense Act of 2025 or the FARMLAND Act of 2025 This bill expands federal authority and oversight over foreign investments in the U.S. agricultural industry. The bill expands the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to include the review of land transactions (involving foreign entities) that exceed $5 million or 320 acres of land over the preceding three years. This applies to land that is primarily used for agriculture, the extraction of energy sources, or the extraction of critical precursor materials for biological technology industries, information technology components, or national defense technologies. Further, the bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to CFIUS membership. As background, CFIUS is an interagency committee that oversees the national security risks of certain foreign direct investment in the U.S. economy, including by reviewing certain real estate transactions. Further, the bill expands enforcement of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must appoint a Chief of Operations of Investigative Actions to (1) monitor AFIDA compliance, and (2) conduct investigations on efforts to steal agricultural knowledge and technology and to disrupt the U.S. agricultural base. The bill prohibits foreign persons who own or operate land from participating in Farm Service Agency programs and establishes penalties for violators. The bill also requires USDA and the Department of Homeland Security to jointly develop a database of agricultural land owned by foreign persons.

Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic Act This bill designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as the Las Cruces Bataan Memorial Clinic.

Protecting Military Assets Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2025

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 5 March 2025

HBOT Access Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

A resolution condemning the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and officials of the Government of the Russian Federation for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in Ukraine.

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

This resolution condemns the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian government and Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine.

Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

CRUDE Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

Continuing Robust and Uninhibited Drilling and Exporting Act or the CRUDE Act This bill limits the President's authority to restrict the export of crude oil from the United States. Currently, the President may restrict the export of oil for up to a year if the President declares a national emergency; the restrictions are sanctions or trade restrictions that apply to countries, persons, or organizations for national security reasons; or the Department of Commerce, in consultation with the Department of Energy (DOE), finds and reports to the President that the export of U.S. crude oil has caused sustained material oil supply shortages or sustained oil prices significantly above world market levels that have caused or are likely to cause sustained material adverse employment effects. However, this bill only allows the President to impose such restrictions if the President declares a national emergency based on findings that are jointly issued by Department of Defense, DOE, and Commerce and include the conclusions described above about oil supply shortages or increased oil prices; or  the restrictions are sanctions or trade restrictions that apply to countries, persons, or organization for national security reasons.

Veterans Fellowship Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire or designate a Regional Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Care Coordinator for each Veteran Integrated Services Network (i.e., regional VA health care administrative areas). Among other duties, such coordinators must ensure the coordination of care between VA clinicians and breast and gynecologic cancer community care providers. Under the bill, veterans are eligible for such care coordination if they are diagnosed with a breast or gynecologic condition and are eligible for health care through the Veterans Community Care Program.

Fairness in Veterans’ Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

Fairness in Veterans’ Education Act This bill modifies the process for repaying service members and veterans who paid to keep benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, but later chose to utilize Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue the repayments with the last monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This requirement has limited the repayments to individuals who are receiving stipends. Under the bill, the VA must make such a repayment before the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to education assistance.

TAP Promotion Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2025

TAP Promotion Act This bill requires that pre-separation counseling under the Transition Assistance Program include a presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill also requires the VA to annually report on the presentation to (1) identify veterans service organizations that participate, (2) provide the number of members of the Armed Forces who attend, and (3) provide any recommendations for changes to the presentation.

THE RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 4 March 2025

TO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF MR. ELBRIDGE A. COLBY TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR POLICY

United States · United States Senate · 4 March 2025

Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2025

REP VA Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2025

Representing VA with Accuracy Act or the REP VA Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that any call made to a veteran by a VA employee or contractor regarding VA services or benefits is made from a single, well-known telephone number and uses caller identification that indicates the call is from or on behalf of the VA. The VA must also ensure the Veterans Health Administration has at least one call center in each time zone in the United States to address concerns regarding appointments and referrals for health care.

A resolution condemning the mass terminations of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs carried out with no justification or analysis of the impact on veterans and their families.

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2025

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the mass terminations of employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs should be condemned. The resolution also expresses that all affected employees should be reinstated.

VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2025

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review and report on the circumstances and causes of the shortfall in funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration for FY2024 and the expected shortfall in funding of the Veterans Health Administration in FY2025. The Department of Veterans Affairs must submit such GAO report to Congress.

Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2025

Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act This bill provides disability pay and medical care for members of the National Guard who were physically disabled as a result of state active duty. State active duty includes training or other duty in service to the governor of a state for which the member is not entitled to federal pay, but excludes required drills and field exercises. The bill expands eligibility for Department of Defense retired pay to such members who are physically disabled as a result of state active duty after September 23, 1996. Such pay must be reduced if it is determined to duplicate any other federal or state benefit to such members based on disability. The bill also makes such members eligible for hospital care and medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat the disability and any illness or condition arising from the disability. The VA may provide reimbursement for hospital care or medical services provided to such members only after a member or the provider of care has exhausted (without success) all claims and remedies reasonably available against a third party.

VA Home Loan Program Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2025

VA Home Loan Program Reform Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take certain actions in cases of default on home loans under the VA home loan program and establishes a partial claim program. First, the bill authorizes the VA to pay the holder of a loan guaranteed by the VA an amount necessary to avoid the foreclosure of the loan, provided that the holder of the loan and the veteran obligated on the loan execute documents to ensure the VA obtains a secured interest in the property covered by the loan. The VA must prescribe loss mitigation procedures to help prevent the foreclosure of such a home loan. The VA may not take specified administrative actions (e.g., consent to the modification of loan terms) until the sequence of mitigation options has been completed. Next, the bill establishes a Partial Claim Program under which the VA may make a partial claim (purchase a portion of the indebtedness) on VA loans for primary residences that are in default or at imminent risk of default. Individuals who default on loans for which the VA has made a partial claim under this program must be liable to the VA for any loss resulting from the default. Finally, the VA must report to Congress on its strategy to ensure that veterans who purchase homes under the VA home loan program are not at a disadvantage when attempting to secure representation by a real estate agent or broker.

Veterans Readiness and Employment Transparency Act of 2025

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2025

SPARE Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2025

Safeguard Pets, Animals, and Research Ethics Act or the SPARE Act This bill prohibits federal departments, agencies, contractors, subcontractors, and grantees from engaging in research and testing using animals.  This prohibition takes effect 3 years after the bill’s enactment for biomedical experimenting and drug testing, and 18 months after enactment for other research including cosmetics and toxicity testing. The prohibition does not apply to clinical veterinary research or certain activities related to military or service animals. Upon an application from a federal entity, contractor, or grantee, Congress may authorize animal research for a limited period if the research relates to an infectious disease or national security, would use animals sparingly, and for which no alternative exists.  The bill establishes a civil penalty for certain violations of the prohibition, and permits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to impose other specified sanctions on violators.  The bill also requires federally funded research facilities that have used animals in research to release any such animal to a specified animal organization or eligible individual within one year of the bill’s enactment, after having consulted with an accredited sanctuary or animal behavioral specialist. The USDA and NIH must make available a public database with information on animals released under these provisions.  Finally, the bill requires the National Science Foundation to establish a competitive grant program to support the transition of animal research to non-animal research, and to establish a program to support the validation and standardization of non-animal research. 

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.

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2025

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that a veteran may obtain a physical copy of the form needed for travel reimbursements at any VA medical facility or, upon request, by mail. The VA must also ensure a veteran may submit the form to any VA medical facility in person or by mail. Such medical facilities must evaluate the form and process any claim associated with the form.