Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3951| House
| Updated: 9/16/2025
Juan Ciscomani
Republican Representative
Arizona
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Introduced
- In Committee
- On Floor
- Passed Chamber
- Enacted
This bill significantly amends existing veterans' benefits laws to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to conduct medical disability examinations. It expands the definition of eligible health care professionals who can perform these examinations under temporary licensure for the VA. This change allows a broader range of professionals, who are otherwise eligible for VA Health Administration positions and hold unrestricted licenses, to conduct these crucial evaluations. A key provision of the bill is the extension of this temporary licensure authority, pushing its sunset date from the original five years after the 2020 Act's enactment to September 30, 2031 . This extension ensures the VA can continue utilizing this flexible staffing approach for several more years. Furthermore, the legislation mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a comprehensive report within 15 months of enactment. This report must detail the program's use, including the number of examinations conducted, their cost, timeliness, legal adequacy, and any errors in implementation, providing crucial oversight.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 215.
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289-4290: 1)
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3951.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289: 1)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289: 1)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Armed Forces and National Security
Congressional oversightHealth personnelLicensing and registrationsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation
Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3951| House
| Updated: 9/16/2025
This bill significantly amends existing veterans' benefits laws to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to conduct medical disability examinations. It expands the definition of eligible health care professionals who can perform these examinations under temporary licensure for the VA. This change allows a broader range of professionals, who are otherwise eligible for VA Health Administration positions and hold unrestricted licenses, to conduct these crucial evaluations. A key provision of the bill is the extension of this temporary licensure authority, pushing its sunset date from the original five years after the 2020 Act's enactment to September 30, 2031 . This extension ensures the VA can continue utilizing this flexible staffing approach for several more years. Furthermore, the legislation mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a comprehensive report within 15 months of enactment. This report must detail the program's use, including the number of examinations conducted, their cost, timeliness, legal adequacy, and any errors in implementation, providing crucial oversight.
Suggested Questions
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 215.
Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-259.
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289-4290: 1)
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4289)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3951.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289: 1)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4289: 1)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Juan Ciscomani
Republican Representative
Arizona
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 oversightHealth personnelLicensing and registrationsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation