# 119-sres-408: A resolution recognizing September 20, 2025, as "National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day".

119-sres-408, A resolution recognizing September 20, 2025, as "National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day"., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR); status introduced (as of 2026-10-05).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-408
- As of: 2026-10-05
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-408
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution recognizing September 20, 2025, as "National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day".
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-09-18
- Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR)
- Cosponsors: 18
- Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-05

## Summary

**National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day** would be designated on September 20, 2025 to honor LGBTQ+ people who served in the Armed Forces. The bill also urges the Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments to repair past harms, improve outreach for those discharged over sexual orientation or gender identity, and expand access to gender-affirming health care. - LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans: Celebrates their contributions and formally acknowledges historical and ongoing discrimination that cut careers short and denied benefits. - Veterans discharged for sexual orientation or gender identity: Directs the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to pursue policy changes, restore justice where possible, and conduct outreach so affected veterans can access benefits. - Transgender servicemembers, veterans, and their families: Urges access to the full range of health care, including gender-affirming care, and asks the VA to remove the exclusion on gender-affirming surgery from its benefits package.

## Cosponsors (18)

- Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (D-WI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] (D-CO), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (D-CT), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA] (D-PA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (D-HI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (D-WA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] (D-MN), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (D-MA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (D-OR), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (D-IL), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act
- 119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-sres-408 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/408)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-51)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-852)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-408 (as of 2026-10-05).