Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 1286 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
19 members · Left 2 · Center 2 · Right 15 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Bresnahan, Robert (R-PA) (Introduced 02/13/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Lean right · DW-NOMINATE +0.26 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 19 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once |
| Committees | Senate - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee; House - Veterans' Affairs Committee |
| Latest Action | 05/20/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| Roll Call Votes | 1 |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Introduced in House (02/13/2025)
Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess the forms that the VA sends to claimants. The center must submit a written assessment to the VA that includes recommendations on how the VA may make the forms clearer and more organized.
The VA must implement certain recommendations in the assessment within two years after the assessment is received.
119 HR 1286 EH: Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 1286
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act.
2.Independent assessment of forms that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants (a)AgreementNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants. (b)AssessmentAn FFRDC that enters to an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better organized. (c)Report; implementationNot later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and (2)implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary. (d)Deadline for implementationThe Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation. (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term FFRDC means a federally funded research and development center. (2)The term covered entities includes— (A)the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B)an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (C)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; (D)an entity that advocates for veterans; and (E)an entity that advocates for survivors of veterans. (3)The term claimant has the meaning given such term in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code.
3.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting December 31, 2031. Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1286 IH: Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-02-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1286IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 13, 2025Mr. Bresnahan (for himself, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Bost, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Valadao, and Mr. Harder of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act.2.Independent assessment of forms that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants(a)AgreementNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants.(b)AssessmentAn FFRDC that enters to an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better organized.(c)Report; implementationNot later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—(1)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and(2)implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.(d)Deadline for implementationThe Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The term FFRDC means a federally funded research and development center.(2)The term covered entities includes—(A)the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;(B)an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;(C)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; and(D)an entity that advocates for veterans and survivors of veterans.(3)The term claimant has the meaning given such term in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code.
119 HR 1286 : Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1286IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 20, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsAN ACTTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act.2.Independent assessment of forms that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants(a)AgreementNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants.(b)AssessmentAn FFRDC that enters to an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better organized.(c)Report; implementationNot later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—(1)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and(2)implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.(d)Deadline for implementationThe Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The term FFRDC means a federally funded research and development center.(2)The term covered entities includes—(A)the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;(B)an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;(C)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code;(D)an entity that advocates for veterans; and(E)an entity that advocates for survivors of veterans.(3)The term claimant has the meaning given such term in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code.3.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting December 31, 2031.Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1286 RH: Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-05-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 73119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1286[Report No. 119–100]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 13, 2025Mr. Bresnahan (for himself, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Bost, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Valadao, and Mr. Harder of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsMay 17, 2025Additional sponsors: Mr. Meuser, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Pfluger, Ms. De La Cruz, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Womack, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Issa, Ms. Lee of Nevada, Mr. Obernolte, Mr. Hill of Arkansas, Mr. Williams of Texas, and Mrs. FischbachMay 17, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 13, 2025A BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act.2.Independent assessment of forms that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants(a)AgreementNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants.(b)AssessmentAn FFRDC that enters to an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment, made in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better organized.(c)Report; implementationNot later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—(1)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and(2)implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary.(d)Deadline for implementationThe Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than two years after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The term FFRDC means a federally funded research and development center.(2)The term covered entities includes—(A)the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;(B)an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;(C)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code;(D)an entity that advocates for veterans; and(E)an entity that advocates for survivors of veterans.(3)The term claimant has the meaning given such term in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code.3.Extension of certain limits on payments of pensionSection 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting December 31, 2031.May 17, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.
| Date | Chamber | All Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 02/13/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/13/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/13/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| 03/14/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. |
| 03/26/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Hearings Held |
| 04/09/2025 | House committee actions | Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 04/09/2025 | House committee actions | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote. |
| 05/06/2025 | House committee actions | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| 05/17/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100. |
| 05/17/2025 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-100. |
| 05/17/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73. |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2124-2126) |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1286. |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137) |
| 05/19/2025 | Library of Congress | Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125) |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125) |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| 05/20/2025 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| Title Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill text | To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes. |
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act |
| Display Title | Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act |
| Official Title as Introduced | To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of forms that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 05/20/2025 Referred To |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 05/17/2025 Reported By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 05/06/2025 Markup By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 02/13/2025 Referred To |
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.