Mark Takano (D-CA)
Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act
A Democratic bill with 26 Democratic cosponsors · See all 26 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 establishes the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services. The Commission is tasked with researching the history and impact of policies regarding sexual orientation and gender identity within the uniformed services since World War II. It includes duties to hold public hearings, gather testimonies from LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans, and examine the effects of these policies on wellbeing and benefits. The Commission is also responsible for recommending remedies, such as apologies, compensation, and the restoration of healthcare services. A 15-member panel will oversee these duties and submit a final report to Congress. The Commission will terminate 90 days after its final report is submitted.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +9
Would LGBTQ people be better off under this?
The bill establishes a formal process to investigate historical discrimination and recommend financial and medical remedies for LGBTQ+ service members and veterans.
- Scored +8
Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people?
The bill establishes a commission to investigate and recommend remedies for historical discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the uniformed services.
- Scored +7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directs the investigation of lost benefits, healthcare needs, and professional opportunities for veterans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Investigation of historical impact: The Commission will identify and compile documentation regarding the history of policies involving LGBTQ+ sexual orientation and gender identity, including the effects of these policies on access to benefits (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Providing a voice to veterans: The Commission will gather both written and oral testimonies from LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans to document their personal experiences (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Addressing health and wellbeing: The Commission is tasked with examining how discriminatory policies affected the physical and mental wellbeing of servicemembers, as well as the impacts of denying medically necessary healthcare (Section 2(b)(4), Section 2(b)(10)).
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Potential for financial and professional restitution: The Commission may recommend that the Secretary of Defense compensate separated servicemembers for lost time, professional opportunities, and access to benefits through back pay or reinstatement (Section 2(b)(15)(B)).
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Restoration of medical services: The Commission may recommend ways for the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to restore gender affirming services and care to beneficiaries (Section 2(b)(15)(C)).
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Streamlining military records: The Commission may recommend ways to streamline discharge upgrades and the amendment of military records through the Boards for Correction of Military Records (Section 2(b)(15)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Impact on non-LGBTQ+ individuals: The Commission will examine how the policing of sexual and gender minorities impacted individuals who do not identify as LGBTQ+ but were targeted due to perceived orientation or identity (Section 2(b)(8)).
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Potential changes to demographic data: The Commission is tasked with collecting information regarding the effects of changes to individuals' demographic data, including gender markers, in Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs databases without the individual's consent (Section 2(b)(12)).
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 LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill establishes a formal process to investigate historical discrimination and recommend financial and medical remedies for LGBTQ+ service members and veterans. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directs the investigation of lost benefits, healthcare needs, and professional opportunities for veterans. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill examines the disparate impact of policies on racial minorities. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill examines the disparate impact of policies on racial minorities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill examines the disparate impact of policies on racial minorities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill examines the disparate impact of policies on racial minorities. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill examines the disparate impact of policies on racial minorities. Would women be better off under this? — The bill examines the disparate impact of policies on women. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill examines access to benefits that impact financial stability for veterans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of LGBTQ people? — The bill establishes a commission to investigate and recommend remedies for historical discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the uniformed services. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The commission is tasked with examining the disparate impact of policies on women. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The commission may recommend compensation for lost professional opportunities and benefits. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The commission is tasked with examining the disparate impact of policies on racial minorities. Does this make housing cost less? — The commission is tasked with examining how discriminatory policies contributed to homelessness among LGBTQ+ veterans.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill directs the commission to examine and recommend ways to restore benefits and compensation to LGBTQ+ veterans.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill recommends restoring gender-affirming services and care to beneficiaries.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill aims to improve the transparency and accessibility of military records through streamlined discharge upgrades.
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/23/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 25 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Morgan McGarveyDemocrat · Kentucky
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Juan VargasDemocrat · California
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida