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HR7176119th CongressWALLET

Vets Connect Act

Sponsored By: Representative Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

Introduced

Summary

A secure, privacy-first platform for veterans to reconnect with service peers. This bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to build and operate a Vets Connect System that matches veterans by service details while preventing disclosure of personal contact information unless a veteran affirmatively opts in.

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  • Veterans choose a display name and control what service details or extra information are visible. They must opt in to be discoverable and can change visibility, restrict messages, opt out, or delete their contributions at any time.
  • Only people whose military service is verified by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense can access the system. No unverified person may search or message users.
  • The system stores only minimal service-related information and user-chosen details. It forbids commercial solicitation and data-brokering and bars contractors from using system data for other purposes.
  • Security rules require industry-standard protections, audit logs of access and queries, and Inspector General reviews. The Secretary may impose penalties for misuse, including penalties under section 5701 of title 38 where applicable.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Secure reconnect platform for veterans

This bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create and run a secure Vets Connect database and messaging platform for veterans. Only verified service members (verified by the VA or the Department of Defense) would be allowed access. The system would store only basic service details (branch, units, dates of service, deployments, occupational specialty, and rank), a display name you choose, and any additional info you affirmatively opt in to share. You would not appear in searches or share contact details unless you take an affirmative opt-in step. You could change visibility, block or restrict communications, opt out, or delete your contributed data at any time. The VA and its contractors would be banned from selling data or allowing commercial solicitation, and contractors could only use data to run the system. The VA would be required to use industry-standard cybersecurity protections and keep system-level audit logs; the Inspector General could review those logs. Nothing in the bill would authorize disclosure of records protected under 38 U.S.C. §5701 or other VA privacy laws. The effective date in the bill is upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/21/2026

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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