# 117-s-1031: A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

117-s-1031, A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes., is a 117th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA] (D-GA); status became_law (as of 2026-01-05).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-1031
- As of: 2026-01-05
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 117-s-1031
- Congress: 117
- Title: A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
- Status: became_law
- Introduced: 2021-03-25
- Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA] (D-GA)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-01-05

## Summary

**Race and ethnicity disparities in veterans' VA benefits** are the focus of a new study led by the Comptroller General of the United States (the Government Accountability Office). The study examines compensation, disability ratings including evaluations based on pain, and the rejection of fully developed claims, and will develop recommendations to improve race and ethnicity data collection. - Veterans and their communities: Congress will receive a focused analysis on how compensation, disability ratings for pain, and denied fully developed claims vary by race and ethnicity. - VA data managers and policymakers: The Comptroller General must produce recommendations to improve how race and ethnicity information is collected for these benefits. - Congress and oversight: The Comptroller General must provide an initial briefing within 1 year and submit a final report within 240 days after that briefing.

## Cosponsors (6)

- Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2021-05-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (D-CT), 2021-06-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (D-WA), 2021-06-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] (D-CT), 2021-06-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] (D-VT), 2021-07-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2021-07-28T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 117-s-937: COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act
- 117-sres-819: A resolution affirming the commitment of the Senate to protect and expand the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs.
- 117-sres-762: A resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth II and expressing condolences to her family and the United Kingdom on her passing.
- 117-s-4822: DISCLOSE Act of 2022
- 117-sres-748: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Jackie Walorski.
- 117-s-4723: Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act

## Sources
- [117-s-1031 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1031)

## Related
- [117-s-937: COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-937)
- [117-sres-819: A resolution affirming the commitment of the Senate to protect and expand the S…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-819)
- [117-sres-762: A resolution honoring the life and accomplishments of Queen Elizabeth II and ex…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-762)
- [117-s-4822: DISCLOSE Act of 2022](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-4822)
- [117-sres-748: A resolution honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Representative Jac…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-sres-748)
- [117-s-4723: Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-4723)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/117-s-1031 (as of 2026-01-05).