Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)
H.R. 1578 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)
10 members · Left 3 · Center 4 · Right 3 (Bill Ranking)
| Sponsor | Rep. Peters, Scott H. (D-CA) (Introduced 02/25/2025) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Voting Record | Center · DW-NOMINATE -0.19 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking) |
| Support |
LLLCLRR support across the spectrum: 10 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 | There have been no roll call votes |
| Source | view on congress.gov → |
Introduced in House (02/25/2025)
Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to, upon receipt of an initial claim for benefits from a claimant that is not represented by an accredited person (i.e., a veterans service organization, attorney, or agent recognized by the VA), provide (1) notice that an accredited person may assist the claimant, (2) notice that a veterans service organization may represent the claimant for free, (3) information regarding a search tool to find an accredited person to assist in the filing of claims, and (4) information on how and where to report a person who is not accredited and charged a fee to assist with a claim.
In its web portal, the VA must provide a warning regarding fees an agent or attorney may charge for assistance in filing benefits claims. (Under current law, fees are generally prohibited for filing an initial claim.)
119 HR 1578 EH: Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 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. I 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 1578
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025.
2.Promotion of assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary (a)Notice to claimants of available assistance from recognized personsSection 5103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating subsections (g) through (i) as subsections (i) through (k), respectively; (2)by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsections: (g)Upon receipt of an initial claim by a claimant not represented by an accredited person, the Secretary shall provide notice to the claimant that— (1)an accredited person may be able to represent the claimant; (2)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title may represent the claimant at no charge to the claimant; (3)provides the web address of the online tool maintained under subsection (h); and (4)provides the web address of an appropriate and publicly accessible website of the Department through which a claimant may report— (A)a person, who is not an accredited person, who represented the claimant; and (B)any fee charged by such person for such representation. (h) (1)The Secretary shall maintain an online tool that allows a claimant to search a list of accredited persons who represent claimants. (2)The Secretary shall ensure that such list is current at least once each calendar quarter. (3)The Secretary shall ensure that such tool is easily accessible to a claimant.; and (3)by adding at the end the following new subsection: (l)In this section: (1)The term accredited person means— (A)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title; or (B)an attorney, agent, or other person recognized under section 5904 of this title. (2)The term represent means to prepare, present, or prosecute a claim under a law administered by the Secretary on behalf of a claimant.. (b)Online information regarding persons that assist claimantsThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include, in each web portal of the Department of Veterans Affairs, through which an individual may file a claim for a benefit administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Under Secretary for Health, a warning regarding fees an agent or attorney may charge such individual for assistance in filing such claim. Such warning shall include the following: (1)A link to the online tool maintained under subsection (h) of section 5103A of such title, as amended by subsection (a). (2)A link to the website of the Department described in subparagraph (D) of section 5103A(f)(1) of such title, as amended by subsection (a). (c)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (1)complete a review the regulations, processes, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs that pertain to recognition under section 5904 of title 38, United States Code; (2)develop recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve such regulations, processes, and procedures; and (3)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the findings of the Secretary with respect to the review completed under paragraph (1) and the recommendations developed under paragraph (2).
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 March 31, 2032. Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1578 IH: Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-02-25 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. 1578IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 25, 2025Mr. Peters (for himself, Mr. Bishop, Mr. Obernolte, and Mr. Deluzio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025.
2.Promotion of assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary (a)Notice to claimants of available assistance from recognized personsSection 5103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating subsections (g) through (i) as subsections (i) through (k), respectively; (2)by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsections: (g)Upon receipt of an initial claim by a claimant not represented by an accredited person, the Secretary shall provide notice to the claimant that— (1)an accredited person may be able to represent the claimant; (2)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title may represent the claimant at no charge to the claimant; (3)provides the web address of the online tool maintained under subsection (h); and (4)provides the web address of an appropriate and publicly accessible website of the Department through which a claimant may report— (A)a person, who is not an accredited person, who represented the claimant; and (B)any fee charged by such person for such representation. (h) (1)The Secretary shall maintain an online tool that allows a claimant to search a list of accredited persons who represent claimants. (2)The Secretary shall ensure that such list is current at least once each calendar quarter. (3)The Secretary shall ensure that such tool is easily accessible to a claimant.; and (3)by adding at the end the following new subsection: (l)In this section: (1)The term accredited person means— (A)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title; or (B)an attorney, agent, or other person recognized under section 5904 of this title. (2)The term represent means to prepare, present, or prosecute a claim under a law administered by the Secretary on behalf of a claimant.. (b)Online information regarding persons that assist claimantsThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include, in each web portal of the Department of Veterans Affairs, through which an individual may file a claim for a benefit administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Under Secretary for Health, a warning regarding fees an agent or attorney may charge such individual for assistance in filing such claim. Such warning shall include the following: (1)A link to the online maintained under subsection (h) of section 5103A of such title, as amended by subsection (a). (2)A link to the website of the Department described in subparagraph (D) of section 5103A(f)(1) of such title, as amended by subsection (a). (c)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (1)complete a review the regulations, processes, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs that pertain to recognition under section 5904 of title 38, United States Code; (2)develop recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve such regulations, processes, and procedures; and (3)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the findings of the Secretary with respect to the review completed under paragraph (1) and the recommendations developed under paragraph (2).
119 HR 1578 : Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 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. 1578IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 20, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsAN ACTTo amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025.2.Promotion of assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary(a)Notice to claimants of available assistance from recognized personsSection 5103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (g) through (i) as subsections (i) through (k), respectively;(2)by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsections:(g)Upon receipt of an initial claim by a claimant not represented by an accredited person, the Secretary shall provide notice to the claimant that—(1)an accredited person may be able to represent the claimant;(2)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title may represent the claimant at no charge to the claimant;(3)provides the web address of the online tool maintained under subsection (h); and(4)provides the web address of an appropriate and publicly accessible website of the Department through which a claimant may report—(A)a person, who is not an accredited person, who represented the claimant; and(B)any fee charged by such person for such representation.(h)(1)The Secretary shall maintain an online tool that allows a claimant to search a list of accredited persons who represent claimants.(2)The Secretary shall ensure that such list is current at least once each calendar quarter.(3)The Secretary shall ensure that such tool is easily accessible to a claimant.; and(3)by adding at the end the following new subsection:(l)In this section:(1)The term accredited person means—(A)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title; or(B)an attorney, agent, or other person recognized under section 5904 of this title.(2)The term represent means to prepare, present, or prosecute a claim under a law administered by the Secretary on behalf of a claimant..(b)Online information regarding persons that assist claimantsThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include, in each web portal of the Department of Veterans Affairs, through which an individual may file a claim for a benefit administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Under Secretary for Health, a warning regarding fees an agent or attorney may charge such individual for assistance in filing such claim. Such warning shall include the following:(1)A link to the online tool maintained under subsection (h) of section 5103A of such title, as amended by subsection (a).(2)A link to the website of the Department described in subparagraph (D) of section 5103A(f)(1) of such title, as amended by subsection (a).(c)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—(1)complete a review the regulations, processes, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs that pertain to recognition under section 5904 of title 38, United States Code;(2)develop recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve such regulations, processes, and procedures; and(3)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the findings of the Secretary with respect to the review completed under paragraph (1) and the recommendations developed under paragraph (2).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 March 31, 2032.Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.
119 HR 1578 RH: Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-05-19 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. 75119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1578[Report No. 119–102]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 25, 2025Mr. Peters (for himself, Mr. Bishop, Mr. Obernolte, and Mr. Deluzio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsMay 19, 2025Additional sponsors: Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Nunn of Iowa, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Harder of California, Mr. Suozzi, and Mr. MinMay 19, 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 25, 2025A BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025.2.Promotion of assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary(a)Notice to claimants of available assistance from recognized personsSection 5103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (g) through (i) as subsections (i) through (k), respectively;(2)by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsections:(g)Upon receipt of an initial claim by a claimant not represented by an accredited person, the Secretary shall provide notice to the claimant that—(1)an accredited person may be able to represent the claimant;(2)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title may represent the claimant at no charge to the claimant;(3)provides the web address of the online tool maintained under subsection (h); and(4)provides the web address of an appropriate and publicly accessible website of the Department through which a claimant may report—(A)a person, who is not an accredited person, who represented the claimant; and(B)any fee charged by such person for such representation.(h)(1)The Secretary shall maintain an online tool that allows a claimant to search a list of accredited persons who represent claimants.(2)The Secretary shall ensure that such list is current at least once each calendar quarter.(3)The Secretary shall ensure that such tool is easily accessible to a claimant.; and(3)by adding at the end the following new subsection:(l)In this section:(1)The term accredited person means—(A)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title; or(B)an attorney, agent, or other person recognized under section 5904 of this title.(2)The term represent means to prepare, present, or prosecute a claim under a law administered by the Secretary on behalf of a claimant..(b)Online information regarding persons that assist claimantsThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include, in each web portal of the Department of Veterans Affairs, through which an individual may file a claim for a benefit administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Under Secretary for Health, a warning regarding fees an agent or attorney may charge such individual for assistance in filing such claim. Such warning shall include the following:(1)A link to the online tool maintained under subsection (h) of section 5103A of such title, as amended by subsection (a).(2)A link to the website of the Department described in subparagraph (D) of section 5103A(f)(1) of such title, as amended by subsection (a).(c)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—(1)complete a review the regulations, processes, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs that pertain to recognition under section 5904 of title 38, United States Code;(2)develop recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve such regulations, processes, and procedures; and(3)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the findings of the Secretary with respect to the review completed under paragraph (1) and the recommendations developed under paragraph (2).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 March 31, 2032.May 19, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 02/25/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/25/2025 | Library of Congress | Introduced in House |
| 02/25/2025 | House floor actions | Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
| 03/21/2025 | House committee actions | Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. |
| 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 |
| 05/19/2025 | Library of Congress | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-102. |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-102. |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 75. |
| 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 H2133-2135) |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1578. |
| 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 voice vote. (text: CR H2133-2134) |
| 05/19/2025 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2133-2134) |
| 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 amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary. |
| Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill text | Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Passed House | Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Reported to House | Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 |
| Display Title | Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 |
| Short Title(s) as Introduced | Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 |
| Official Title as Introduced | To amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary. |
There are no amendments to this bill.
* = Original cosponsor
| Committee | Activity |
|---|---|
| Senate - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 05/20/2025 Referred To |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 05/19/2025 Reported By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 05/06/2025 Markup By |
| House - Veterans' Affairs Committee | 02/25/2025 Referred To |
No related bill information was received for H.R. 1578.
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.