Scott Peters (D-CA)
Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 4 Republican 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 voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code regarding assistance for individuals filing certain claims. The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify claimants about the availability of accredited persons or free representation through veterans service organizations. It mandates the creation and maintenance of an online tool to search for accredited persons. Additionally, the Secretary must include warnings on web portals regarding fees charged by agents or attorneys. The Act also requires a review of the Department's recognition regulations and recommendations for improvement. Finally, it extends certain limits on payments of pension until March 31, 2032.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides significant procedural protections and information access for veterans filing claims.
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill enhances support by improving access to representation and information for veterans filing benefit claims.
- Scored +7
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The act increases transparency and protection for veterans seeking benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Access to Representation: The Secretary must notify claimants that an accredited person may represent them and that veterans service organizations can provide representation at no charge (Section 2(a)).
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Enhanced Transparency via Online Tools: The bill requires the Secretary to maintain an online tool to search for accredited persons, which must be updated at least once every calendar quarter and be easily accessible (Section 2(a)).
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Protection Against Unauthorized Fees: The bill provides a way for claimants to report persons who are not accredited but represented them, as well as any fees charged by such persons (Section 2(a)).
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Warning Against Unnecessary Costs: The Secretary must include warnings on web portals regarding fees that agents or attorneys might charge for assistance in filing claims (Section 2(b)).
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Process Improvement: The Secretary is required to review regulations and procedures related to recognition and submit findings and recommendations to Congressional committees (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated 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 make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency by requiring online tools and warnings regarding representative fees. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Improving the way claimants are notified of assistance enhances their due process in seeking benefits.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides significant procedural protections and information access for veterans filing claims.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill enhances support by improving access to representation and information for veterans filing benefit claims.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The act increases transparency and protection for veterans seeking benefits.
- 5/20/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 5/19/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-102.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 75.
- 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 voice vote. (text: CR H2133-2134)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2133-2134)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1578.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2133-2135)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/6/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 4/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 3/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/21/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2/25/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
Jay ObernolteRepublican · California
Aumua Amata RadewagenRepublican · American Samoa
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York