To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.
Sponsored By: Representative Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
In Committee
Summary
A new 'covered service' designation for Female Cultural Support Team service. The bill would add that label to personnel records and retirement pay, treat the service as combat for certain VA claims, require DoD and VA reporting and study, and adjust a VA home loan fee date.
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- Members who served in female cultural support teams or under personnel development skill identifiers R2J or 5DK from Jan 1, 2010 to Aug 31, 2021 would have "covered service" added to their military records and included in retirement pay calculations within one year of enactment. VA would treat that service as combat with the enemy for purposes of disability claims and apply effective award dates under 38 U.S.C. § 5110.
- VA claimants and claim processing would see targeted changes. VA must improve processing and outreach for claims tied to covered service and report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs within one year on "covered claims" for PTSD or traumatic brain injury submitted on or after Jan 1, 1990, categorized by gender and claim outcome.
- DoD and VA would study and report other groups with substantially similar service records within one year. The bill also amends the VA housing loan fee table date from Nov 15, 2031 to Dec 3, 2031, changing the timing of a scheduled fee.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Combat credit and claims help for female cultural support teams
If enacted, DoD would mark service on female cultural support teams (with R2J or 5DK) from Jan 1, 2010 to Aug 31, 2021 in members’ records within one year. That time would count toward retired pay. For VA disability or survivors’ claims tied to that service, VA would treat it as combat, and award start dates would follow 38 U.S.C. 5110. VA would post notices online, alert veterans groups so people can file supplemental claims, and train staff with DoD. DoD and VA would also study similar groups and report to Congress within one year.
Small date shift for VA home loan fees
If enacted, VA would change a date in the VA home loan funding fee table from November 15, 2031 to December 3, 2031. This could slightly change when certain VA loan fee rates switch for borrowers around that time. The effect would likely be small and limited to loans closing near those dates.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
IA • R
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Crow
CO • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov