A Republican bill with 9 Republican cosponsors · See all 9 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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, known as the "Officer John Barnes Act," aims to set a specific timeframe for benefit eligibility decisions. It proposes an amendment to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. Under this proposal, the Bureau must provide a determination regarding a claim. This determination must be communicated to the claimant within 270 calendar days of the claim being received.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
By mandating a determination timeframe, it increases transparency in the Bureau's administrative processes.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The requirement for a timely determination provides more predictable administrative due process for claimants.
- Scored +5
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill speeds up the timeline for receiving benefit eligibility determinations for claimants.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Timely Communication of Decisions: The bill requires the Bureau to inform a claimant of their eligibility status no later than sometime within 270 calendar days of receiving a claim (Section 2). This could be positive because it ensures claimants receive a determination within a specific timeframe.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the provided text.
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The requirement for a timely determination provides more predictable administrative due process for claimants. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — By mandating a determination timeframe, it increases transparency in the Bureau's administrative processes.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill speeds up the timeline for receiving benefit eligibility determinations for claimants.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill establishes a timely deadline for benefit eligibility determinations, which benefits claimants.
- 7/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/27/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/13/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
4 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.
Brian BabinRepublican · Texas
Dan CrenshawRepublican · Texas
Brandon GillRepublican · Texas
Trent KellyRepublican · Mississippi
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas
Burgess OwensRepublican · Utah
Keith SelfRepublican · Texas
Glenn ThompsonRepublican · Pennsylvania