Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Department of Veterans Affairs Claim Sharks Effective Warnings Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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, titled the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Claim Sharks Effective Warnings Act of 2025'', aims to amend title 38 of the United States Code. It seeks to improve warnings regarding potential predatory practices involving agents or attorneys who assist with veterans' claims. The legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue warnings on public-facing websites and online tools. These warnings will include information about individuals who lack recognition by the Secretary. Additionally, the bill requires a message discouraging veterans from sharing account credentials. These duties are to be carried out through the Chief Veterans Experience Officer.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
This bill provides direct protection for veterans against predatory claim agents and identity theft.
- Scored +6
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill directly addresses identity security by warning against sharing login credentials.
- Scored +5
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill helps protect personal account privacy through explicit warnings.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased awareness of predatory agents: By requiring public-facing websites and online tools to issue warnings about individuals lacking recognition by the Secretary, veterans may be better informed about potential risks. (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph A and B)
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Protection of sensitive information: The bill mandates a message that discourages veterans from sharing their Department account or bank account log-in credentials, such as usernames or passwords, with anyone. (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1, subparagraph E)
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 protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill helps protect personal account privacy through explicit warnings. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency regarding predatory agents on VA websites.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — This bill provides direct protection for veterans against predatory claim agents and identity theft.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill protects veterans' financial and personal information during the claims process. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill includes security measures to discourage the sharing of account credentials to prevent fraud.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill directly addresses identity security by warning against sharing login credentials.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer-style protections for veterans against predatory agents and identity theft.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — By protecting veterans from predatory claims practices, it safeguards their access to rightful VA benefits.
- 9/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont