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Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act

USA119th CongressHR-1286| House 
| Updated: 5/20/2025
Robert P. Bresnahan

Robert P. Bresnahan

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (18)
Barry Moore (Republican)Steve Womack (Republican)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)J. French Hill (Republican)Daniel Meuser (Republican)Darrell Issa (Republican)Roger Williams (Republican)Josh Harder (Democratic)August Pfluger (Republican)Mike Bost (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Jay Obernolte (Republican)Monica De La Cruz (Republican)Susie Lee (Democratic)Michelle Fischbach (Republican)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek an agreement with a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) within 30 days of enactment. The FFRDC will conduct an independent assessment of forms the VA sends to claimants for benefits, consulting with various stakeholders including veterans service organizations and advocates. The assessment's primary goal is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on how to make these forms clearer and better organized for claimants. Within 90 days of receiving the assessment, the Secretary must submit it to Congress and begin implementing the compliant recommendations, with completion required within two years. Additionally, the bill extends certain limits on pension payments by changing a date from November 30, 2031, to December 31, 2031.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8880
Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 14, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Mar 26, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Apr 9, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 6, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 17, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.
May 17, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100.
May 19, 2025
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 19, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2124-2126)
May 19, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1286.
May 19, 2025
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 19, 2025
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137)
May 19, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
View Vote
May 19, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8880
    Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act


  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 14, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • March 26, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • April 9, 2025
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.


  • April 9, 2025
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 6, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 17, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.


  • May 17, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100.


  • May 19, 2025
    Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • May 19, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2124-2126)


  • May 19, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1286.


  • May 19, 2025
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.


  • May 19, 2025
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137)


  • May 19, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
    View Vote


  • May 19, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • May 20, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Armed Forces and National Security

Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsResearch and developmentVeterans' pensions and compensation

Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act

USA119th CongressHR-1286| House 
| Updated: 5/20/2025
This bill mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek an agreement with a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) within 30 days of enactment. The FFRDC will conduct an independent assessment of forms the VA sends to claimants for benefits, consulting with various stakeholders including veterans service organizations and advocates. The assessment's primary goal is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on how to make these forms clearer and better organized for claimants. Within 90 days of receiving the assessment, the Secretary must submit it to Congress and begin implementing the compliant recommendations, with completion required within two years. Additionally, the bill extends certain limits on pension payments by changing a date from November 30, 2031, to December 31, 2031.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8880
Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 13, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 14, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Mar 26, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Apr 9, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 6, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 17, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.
May 17, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100.
May 19, 2025
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
May 19, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2124-2126)
May 19, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1286.
May 19, 2025
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 19, 2025
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137)
May 19, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
View Vote
May 19, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8880
    Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act


  • February 13, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 13, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 14, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • March 26, 2025
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • April 9, 2025
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.


  • April 9, 2025
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 6, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 17, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.


  • May 17, 2025
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100.


  • May 19, 2025
    Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • May 19, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2124-2126)


  • May 19, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1286.


  • May 19, 2025
    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.


  • May 19, 2025
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137)


  • May 19, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
    View Vote


  • May 19, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • May 20, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Robert P. Bresnahan

Robert P. Bresnahan

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (18)
Barry Moore (Republican)Steve Womack (Republican)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)J. French Hill (Republican)Daniel Meuser (Republican)Darrell Issa (Republican)Roger Williams (Republican)Josh Harder (Democratic)August Pfluger (Republican)Mike Bost (Republican)Pete Stauber (Republican)David G. Valadao (Republican)Jay Obernolte (Republican)Monica De La Cruz (Republican)Susie Lee (Democratic)Michelle Fischbach (Republican)

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsResearch and developmentVeterans' pensions and compensation