Tom Barrett (R-MI)
Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 9 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 412–0
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act," directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek an agreement with a federally funded research and development center. The goal is to conduct an assessment of notice letters sent to claimants regarding benefits. This assessment will look at reducing paper consumption and costs, while providing recommendations to make notices clearer and more concise. After receiving the assessment, the Secretary must submit it to specific Congressional committees and implement legal recommendations within one year. Finally, the bill extends certain limits on payments of pension by moving a specific date in title 38 of the United States Code.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +3
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill aims to improve how veterans receive information regarding their benefit claims through clearer communications.
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill directs an assessment to determine if notices can be altered to reduce costs to the Federal Government.
- Scored +2
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill extends specific limits on pension payments through the end of 2031.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 412 yes · 0 no
04/07/2025 · Roll call 90 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Communication: The Secretary is tasked with receiving recommendations on how to make notices clearer, better organized, and more concise (Section 2(b)(2)). This could help claimants understand their benefits more easily.
-
Cost and Resource Savings: The assessment will determine if notices can be altered to reduce paper consumption and costs to the Federal Government (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Pension Payment Extension: The bill extends the date for certain limits on payments of pension from November 30, 2031, to December 31, 2031 (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill aims to improve how veterans receive information regarding their benefit claims through clearer communications. Would retired people be better off under this? — The extension of pension payment limits provides more long-term stability for pension recipients. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill extends specific limits on pension payments through the end of 2031.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill directs an assessment to determine if notices can be altered to reduce costs to the Federal Government.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill improves benefits by seeking to make notice letters clearer, more organized, and more concise for claimants.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill extends the date for certain pension payment limits by one month.
- 4/8/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 4/7/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437: 1)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1442-1443)
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1039.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1437-1439)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 4/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/13/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 2/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/6/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Mike BostRepublican · Illinois
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
Mike CollinsRepublican · Georgia
Scott FitzgeraldRepublican · Wisconsin
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Gregory MurphyRepublican · North Carolina
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Daniel WebsterRepublican · Florida