WISER Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
In Committee
Summary
Restores benefits for women involuntarily separated under Executive Order 10240 by providing discharge upgrades and a one-time $25,000 compensation benefit.
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- Covered women who served between April 27, 1951 and February 23, 1976 could apply for a discharge status upgrade. Those involuntarily separated under EO 10240 would have an irrebuttable presumption of eligibility. Other applicants could qualify under a rebuttable presumption if they gave birth, obtained custody or adopted a child, or experienced an incomplete pregnancy within 10 months after separation.
- The Department of Defense would provide a one-time $25,000 compensation payment to eligible veterans. Surviving spouses of veterans who meet the eligibility rules and die after enactment could also apply for the payment.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense would jointly process applications and carry out the upgrade program. Funding for discharge upgrades is limited to amounts provided in advance by Congress. Funding for the compensation program is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense as needed.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
One-time $25,000 for women veterans
If enacted, the Department of Defense would offer a one-time $25,000 payment to eligible women veterans. If the eligible veteran dies after enactment, the surviving spouse could apply. You would apply to DoD in a form and time DoD sets. Veterans separated under Executive Order 10240 would be automatically eligible. You could also be presumed eligible if you gave birth, adopted, gained custody, or had an abortion or miscarriage within 10 months after separation. Congress would need to fund the program.
Upgrade discharge status for women veterans
If enacted, VA and DoD would set up a program to upgrade discharge status for eligible women veterans. You would apply to both VA and DoD. If upgraded, VA would treat you as if you finished your duty, which could restore VA benefits. The bill defines a covered veteran as a woman who served on active military, naval, air, or space service from April 27, 1951 to February 23, 1976. This program would depend on money Congress provides.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 1/23/2025
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 2/26/2025
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 8/22/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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