Bill · H.R. 2576· House(119-HR-2576)
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 4/9/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Sponsored by
- Chellie Pingree
- Cosponsors
- - 12 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 aims to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for those affected by military sexual trauma. It establishes a formal definition for military sexual trauma to be used for both health care eligibility and disability compensation. The bill introduces new standards for evaluating claims, allowing for various non-military sources of evidence and behavior changes to corroborate accounts. It also mandates specialized teams to process claims and creates a system for annual reviews to ensure accuracy. Additionally, the act expands eligibility for counseling and treatment to include former members of reserve components and those from service academies.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+9
The bill significantly improves the quality of healthcare, benefits accessibility, and claim processing for veterans.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+9
The bill enhances healthcare eligibility, expands treatment access for reservists, and improves the claims process for veterans.
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+8
The bill significantly expands access to counseling and treatment for individuals experiencing military sexual trauma.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Health Care Eligibility: All former members of the reserve components of the armed forces will be eligible for counseling and treatment for military sexual trauma (Section 301).
-
Improved Claim Evaluation: Veterans claiming disabilities can use non-military evidence, such as records from law enforcement, hospitals, or statements from family and clergy, to corroborate their accounts (Section s 203(b)).
-
Recognition of Behavior Changes: The bill allows for behavior changes, such as a request for a transfer, deterioration in work performance, or substance abuse, to serve as relevant evidence for claims (Section 203(c)).
-
Increased Choice for Medical Exams: Veterans requiring a medical examination for a claim can request that the exam take place at a Department medical facility with a qualified employee rather than a contractor (Section 204).
-
Improved Communication and Support: The Secretary must ensure written communications are sensitive and include contact information for the Veterans Crisis Line, Vet Centers, and military sexual trauma coordinators (Section 205).
-
Support for Service Academy Members: Individuals who withdraw from or do not complete service at service academies will be provided information on potential eligibility for care and counseling (Section 303).
-
Timely Information for Claimants: When a disability claim is submitted, the Department must contact the veteran within 14 days to provide information on available services and coordinators (Section 302).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Risk of Re-traumatization: The bill acknowledges the need for workgroups to review the process to specifically address and eliminate the re-traumatization of individuals filing claims (Section 208).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+9Good For Women+6Good For Students+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+9Improves Mental Health Access+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+6Improves Government Transparency+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+5
- 4/27/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/3/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/9/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 4/1/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Frank MrvanDemocrat · Indiana
Morgan McGarveyDemocrat · Kentucky
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii