Maggie Goodlander (D-NH)
Military Domestic Violence Survivors Support Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Military Domestic Violence Survivors Support Act. It changes the law to give Special Victim's Counsel services to victims of domestic violence. It also updates terms like changing domestic abuse advocate'' to domestic abuse victim advocate''. These changes take effect two years after the bill is enacted. Finally, the Secretary of Defense must give a briefing on implementing these policies within one year.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +6
Would women be better off under this?
Because a significant majority of domestic violence victims in military contexts are women, extending legal counsel services directly aids female service members and military spouses.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to congressional committees on the implementation of these policies within one year.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated?
Extending Special Victim's Counsel services to victims of domestic violence provides crucial legal support predominantly utilized by women who face domestic abuse in the military.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: This section extends Special Victim's Counsel services to victims of domestic violence. This is a positive change because it provides legal help and support to people who have suffered domestic violence.
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Section 2: This section requires the Secretary of Defense to brief Congress on the implementation of these new policies within one year of the bill's enactment. This holds our elected officials and military leaders accountable for actually putting the support services into action.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2: The text of the bill does not contain any provisions that explicitly create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 women be better off under this? — Because a significant majority of domestic violence victims in military contexts are women, extending legal counsel services directly aids female service members and military spouses. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged service members and their families benefit from expanded access to Special Victim's Counsel services. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill improves support networks within the military community, which ultimately benefits those who serve and transition to veteran status. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Many active-duty military personnel who benefit from domestic violence support services are young adults.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to congressional committees on the implementation of these policies within one year. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates the Secretary of Defense to oversee and brief Congress on the implementation of new military domestic violence support policies.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Extending Special Victim's Counsel services to victims of domestic violence provides crucial legal support predominantly utilized by women who face domestic abuse in the military.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances support systems for military personnel and survivors by extending Special Victim's Counsel services to victims of domestic violence.
- 10/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 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.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania