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119-hr-8421119th CongressWALLET

SERVE Act

Sponsored By: Representative Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

Introduced

Summary

Would expand VA benefits to former service members discharged for sexual orientation or gender identity. The SERVE Act would make these individuals eligible for health care, Vet Center counseling, burial in national cemeteries, Post-9/11 educational assistance, and VA home loans that they currently may be denied because of their discharge reason.

Show full summary
  • Former service members described in 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(2)(H) would gain access to Hospital Care and Medical Services and Vet Center readjustment counseling. These changes would affect people who left service because of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • The bill would explicitly allow interment in national cemeteries, Post-9/11 education benefits, and VA housing loans for those covered by the expanded eligibility. These are the specific program areas the bill targets.
  • The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would have to notify affected individuals and relevant organizations and deliver a report to congressional veterans committees within 15 months. The report must include counts of benefits provided broken down by demographic categories.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More VA benefits for discharged veterans

If enacted, you would become eligible for VA hospital care and medical services if you are a former service member separated or discharged because of sexual orientation or gender identity, including a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. This applies if you received an entry-level separation, an honorable discharge, or a discharge under conditions other than honorable. You would also become eligible for Vet Center counseling, burial in national cemeteries, Post-9/11 education benefits, and VA home loan eligibility. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

VA outreach to affected veterans

If enacted, the VA would be required to notify affected former service members and veterans and military service organizations about the benefits made available by these amendments. The VA would also be required to report to House and Senate veterans committees within 15 months after enactment on benefits provided in the first year, with counts broken down by demographic groups.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

NH • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

  • Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

  • Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 4/21/2026

  • Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

    KS • D

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

  • Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/4/2026

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/7/2026

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/11/2026

  • Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 5/13/2026

  • Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/19/2026

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/20/2026

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2026

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2026

  • Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2026

  • Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/29/2026

  • Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 8/20/2026

  • Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 8/31/2026

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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