SERVE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Introduced
Summary
Restores VA benefits to former service members discharged for reasons related to sexual orientation or gender identity. It would make them eligible for health care, Vet Center counseling, national cemetery interment, Post-9/11 education aid, and VA home loan benefits.
Show full summary
- Veterans and former service members: Would extend eligibility for Hospital Care and Medical Services and for Vet Center readjustment counseling to those discharged because of sexual orientation or gender identity, including gender dysphoria.
- Families and survivors: Would add these individuals to eligibility for interment in national cemeteries, changing burial options available to their families.
- Students and trainees: Would make affected former service members eligible for Post-9/11 educational assistance.
- Homebuyers: Would add eligibility for VA housing loan benefits for those who were discharged for sexual orientation or gender identity.
- VA outreach and oversight: Would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify eligible individuals and veterans and military service organizations about these benefits and to submit a report to congressional veterans committees within 15 months after enactment that counts beneficiaries and provides demographic breakdowns.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More VA benefits for LGBTQ veterans
If enacted, you would be eligible for VA benefits if you were separated or discharged because of sexual orientation or gender identity, including gender dysphoria. You would be able to get VA hospital care and medical services, Vet Center counseling, Post-9/11 education benefits, VA home loan eligibility, and burial in national cemeteries. For VA hospital care, the bill would cover people who got an entry-level separation, an honorable discharge, or a discharge under conditions other than honorable for those reasons. The bill would also require VA to notify affected individuals and veterans service organizations and to report to Congress within 15 months about benefits provided.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Cosponsors
Levin
CA • D
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/21/2026
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/4/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Peters
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/11/2026
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Wilson (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/13/2026
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2026
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/13/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov