A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
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
The "Stuck On Hold Act" requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to set up an automated system for customer service phone lines. This system must tell callers their expected wait time. If the wait is over 10 minutes, the system must offer a callback. The Secretary must also create guidance to try and keep average wait times at or below 10 minutes. Certain lines, such as emergency departments and a specific veterans' toll-free hotline, are not included.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Directly benefits veterans by improving the customer service experience of the VA.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors are a high-use demographic for VA services and benefit from reduced phone hold times.
- Scored +5
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees using VA health and benefit services will experience improved service efficiency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Wait Time Awareness: Callers will be informed of their anticipated wait time, as required by Section 2(a)(1).
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Callback Options: People facing a wait of more than 10 minutes will be offered a callback, which prevents them from having to stay on the line, per Section 2(a)(2).
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Efforts to Reduce Delays: The Secretary is tasked with issuing guidance to reduce average wait times to 10 minutes or less under Section 2(b).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly 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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Directly benefits veterans by improving the customer service experience of the VA. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees using VA health and benefit services will experience improved service efficiency. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors are a high-use demographic for VA services and benefit from reduced phone hold times. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Callback options are particularly helpful for those who may find long phone waits physically or mentally taxing.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — Improves accessibility to VA services by reducing telephone wait times and providing callbacks. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Facilitates easier communication with a major healthcare provider (VA).
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Enhances the administration of veterans' benefits by improving customer service access.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Provides transparency to callers regarding anticipated wait times. Does this give the federal government more power? — Directs a federal agency to implement specific operational changes.
- 4/29/2026
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
- 11/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona