Bill · S. 1245· Senate(119-S-1245)
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 7/30/2025 — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- - 12 - 2
- 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 who have experienced military sexual trauma. It updates the definition of military sexual trauma to include physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment. The bill establishes new standards for evaluating disability compensation claims, allowing for various forms of corroborating evidence. It also mandates reports on trauma in the digital age and requires annual reviews of claim processing accuracy. Additionally, the Act expands eligibility for counseling and treatment to include former members of reserve components. Finally, it ensures specific care and information for individuals who do not complete service at service academies.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+10
The act directly expands healthcare and benefits eligibility for veterans who experienced military sexual trauma.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+9
The act significantly expands healthcare eligibility, improves evidence standards for claims, and enhances support for veterans experiencing military sexual trauma.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+9
The bill expands the scope and accessibility of benefits for those impacted by military sexual trauma.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Evidence Standards for Claims: The bill allows veterans to use non-military sources of evidence, such as records from law enforcement, rape crisis centers, or statements from family and clergy, to corroborate their accounts of trauma (Section 203).
-
Protection Against Sudden Claim Denials: The Secretary is prohibited from denying a claim for a mental health condition based on military sexual trauma without first advising the veteran that corroborating evidence exists and providing them an opportunity to supply it (Section 203).
-
Greater Control Over Medical Examinations: Veterans may request that medical examinations for compensation claims take place at a Department medical facility with a qualified employee rather than at a location designated by a contractor (Section 204).
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Enhanced Communication and Support: The bill requires the Department to include specific contact information for crisis lines, Vet Centers, and military sexual trauma coordinators in written communications to help individuals access care (Section 205).
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Expanded Healthcare Eligibility: Eligibility for counseling and treatment for military sexual trauma is expanded to include all former members of the reserve components of the armed forces (Section 301).
-
Support for Service Academy Members: Individuals who withdraw from or do not complete service at a service academy will be provided information on potential eligibility for care and the option to receive copies of service or investigative records (Section 303).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential for Continued Re-traumatization: While the bill aims to address this, the text acknowledges the need for workgroups to review the feasibility of minimizing re-examinations to prevent 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+10Good For Women+7Good For Students+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+9Improves Mental Health Access+8
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+9
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+5
- 9/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/1/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
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John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
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