All Roll Calls
Yes: 386 • No: 1
HR1286119th CongressWALLET
Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act
Sponsored By: Representative Bresnahan
Passed House
Summary
Simplify and clarify VA benefits forms by requiring an independent assessment from a federally funded research and development center and implementing its recommendations. It would also move a pension payment limit deadline from November 30, 2031 to December 31, 2031.
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- Claimants (veterans and survivors) would get clearer, better-organized forms aimed at making benefits easier to file for and understand. Recommended changes must be implemented within 2 years after the VA begins implementation.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs would contract with an FFRDC to perform an independent assessment in consultation with defined experts and advocates. The VA must submit the assessment to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs committees within 90 days of receipt and implement recommendations that comply with law.
- Veterans service organizations and survivor advocates are named consultation partners, giving them a formal role in shaping form redesign.
- People affected by pension payment limits would see the relevant deadline extended by one month to December 31, 2031.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Outside review to simplify VA claim forms
If enacted, VA would seek to hire a federally funded research center within 30 days to review benefit claim forms. The center would consult VA, a legal expert, a recognized veterans service group, and advocates for veterans and survivors. The review would recommend how to make forms clearer and better organized. Within 90 days of getting the review, VA would send it to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees and start changes allowed by current law. VA would finish those changes within two years after starting.
VA pension payment limits extended
If enacted, current limits on some VA pension payments would run through December 31, 2031, instead of November 30, 2031. This would apply only if your pension is limited under 38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(7). The change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bresnahan
PA • R
Cosponsors
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 2/13/2025
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 2/13/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/13/2025
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 2/13/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/13/2025
Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]
PA • R
Sponsored 2/14/2025
Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
PA • R
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Pfluger
TX • R
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
TX • R
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]
AL • R
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Womack
AR • R
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 3/3/2025
Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Sponsored 3/5/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
AR • R
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]
TX • R
Sponsored 5/5/2025
Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]
MN • R
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 5/19/2025
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 386 • No: 1