[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6764 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6764
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish new, and terminate
certain, advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 16, 2025
Mr. Self introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish new, and terminate
certain, advisory committees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee
Oversight Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new sections (and amending
the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly):
``Sec. 549. Veterans Health Advisory Committee
``(a) Establishment.--There is in the Department an advisory
committee to be known as the `Veterans Health Advisory Committee' (in
this section referred to as the `Committee').
``(b) Membership; Terms; Chair.--(1) The Secretary shall appoint
the members of the Committee, including the following:
``(A) A veteran who uses prosthetic or rehabilitative
health care services of the Department.
``(B) An individual with expertise in prosthetics or
rehabilitative health care for disabled veterans.
``(C) An individual with expertise in geriatrics or
gerontology, including long-term care for veterans.
``(D) An individual with expertise in environmental health
or toxic exposures described in subchapter VII of chapter 11 of
this title.
``(E) An individual with expertise in mental health or
readjustment counseling for veterans.
``(F) A representative of a veterans service organization,
recognized under section 5902 of this title, that represents
disabled or aging veterans.
``(G) Other individuals the Secretary determines
appropriate to ensure various perspectives on veterans' needs
for health care, across regions and populations.
``(2) Members of the Committee shall be appointed for staggered
terms of two years and may be reappointed.
``(3) The Secretary shall designate one member of the Commission to
serve as Chair.
``(c) Functions.--The functions of the Committee are the following:
``(1) To advise the Under Secretary for Health regarding
policies and programs of the Department related to health care
for veterans with specialized health care needs, including
prosthetics and other special disabilities programs,
rehabilitative services, and long-term care for elderly
veterans.
``(2) To assess the efficacy of, and recommend improvements
to, health care furnished by the Secretary relating to a new
veteran's readjustment to civilian life, including mental
health counseling and outreach programs.
``(3) To evaluate the programs of the Department that
relate to health conditions related to environmental or toxic
exposures, and to advise on emerging health hazards and
appropriate responses.
``(4) To review the coordination of prosthetic and
rehabilitative research and development initiatives within the
Department and with external partners, and to recommend ways to
enhance innovation and information exchange.
``(5) To identify gaps in health care furnished by the
Secretary for a disabled, ill, or aging veteran, and propose
strategies to improve the quality, accessibility, and equity of
such health care.
``(d) Reports.--(1) Not later than July 1 of each year, the
Committee shall submit to the Under Secretary for Health a report
summarizing its activities, findings, and recommendations under
subsection (c). Each such report shall include the following:
``(A) An review and assessment of the hospital care and
medical services furnished by the Secretary, including such
care and services for veterans with disabilities, geriatric and
aging veterans, and veterans exposed to environmental hazards.
``(B) Recommendations for administrative or legislative
action that the Committee determines appropriate.
``(2) Not later than 90 days after receiving each report under this
subsection, the Under Secretary for Health shall submit the report,
together with the Under Secretary's comments and recommendations, to
the Secretary. The Secretary shall submit all such documents to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives.
``(e) Administrative Matters.--(1) The Secretary shall provide such
staff, information, and administrative services as necessary for the
Committee to carry out its functions.
``(2) Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation,
but shall be entitled to travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, when engaged in the performance of Committee duties, as
authorized by section 5703 of title 5.
``(3) The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair or the
Under Secretary for Health, but not less frequently than quarterly each
fiscal year.
``(f) Termination.--Unless renewed pursuant to section 14 of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Committee shall
terminate not later than September 30, 2028. The Secretary may
terminate the Committee at any time before such date.
``Sec. 550. Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Advisory
Committee
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department an
advisory committee to be known as the `Veterans Economic Opportunity
and Transition Advisory Committee' (in this section referred to as the
`Committee').
``(b) Membership; Terms; Chair.--(1) The Secretary shall appoint
members of the Committee, including the following:
``(A) An individual with expertise in educational benefits
and programs under this title.
``(B) A representative of an institution of higher
education or training program that serves veterans.
``(C) An individual with expertise in employment and job
training programs for veterans.
``(D) An individual with experience in hiring or training
veterans.
``(E) A veteran who separated from active military, naval,
air, or space service less than 10 years before being appointed
under this subsection.
``(F) An individual who was a homeless veteran or an
advocate for veterans' homelessness prevention and recovery
programs.
``(G) Other individuals the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(2) The term of a member appointed under paragraph (1) shall be
two years, staggered to ensure continuity. A member may be reappointed.
``(3) The Secretary shall designate one member of the Committee to
serve as Chair.
``(c) Functions.--The functions of the Committee are the following:
``(1) To advise the Under Secretary for Benefits regarding
the effectiveness of the educational benefits, vocational
rehabilitation, employment assistance, and transition services
furnished by the Secretary in enabling veterans to successfully
readjust to civilian life and achieve economic stability.
``(2) To assemble and review information on the needs of
veterans in readjusting to civilian employment, higher
education, and job training. Such information shall include
identified barriers that veterans (including women, minority,
and economically disadvantaged veterans) face in such
readjustment.
``(3) To assess the effectiveness of the educational
benefits, vocational training, job placement, and
entrepreneurship training furnished by the Secretary in
improving economic opportunities for veterans.
``(4) To advise the Under Secretary regarding means to
improve interagency coordination and partnership between the
Department and other Federal, State, and local entities to
promote employment, skills training, and financial stability
for veterans.
``(5) To identify and recommend strategies (including early
intervention, supportive services, and employer outreach) to
assist veterans at risk of homelessness or unemployment.
``(d) Reports.--(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the
Committee shall submit to the Under Secretary a report on the programs
and activities of the Department that relate to the issues of
transition, education, employment, and economic opportunity for
veterans. Each such report shall include the following, with regards to
such issues:
``(A) An assessment of the unmet needs of veterans.
``(B) A review and evaluation of programs of the Department
designed to meet such needs.
``(C) A summary of the activities of the Committee during
the preceding year.
``(D) Recommendations for administrative or legislative
action that the Committee determines appropriate.
``(2) Not later than 90 days after receiving each report under this
subsection, the Under Secretary shall submit the report, together with
the Under Secretary's comments and recommendations, to the Secretary.
The Secretary shall submit all such documents to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives,
``(e) Administrative Matters.--(1) The Secretary shall provide such
staff support, information, and administrative services as necessary
for the Committee to carry out its responsibilities.
``(2) Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation,
but may be reimbursed for travel expenses and per diem in lieu of
subsistence in accordance with section 5703 of title 5.
``(3) The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair or the
Under Secretary for Benefits, but not less frequently than twice each
year.
``(f) Termination.--Unless renewed pursuant to section 14 of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Committee shall
terminate not later than September 30, 2028. The Secretary may
terminate the Committee at any time before such date.
``Sec. 551. Advisory Committee on Veterans Special Populations
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department an
advisory committee to be known as the `Advisory Committee on Veterans
Special Populations' (in this section referred to as the `Committee').
``(b) Membership; Terms; Chair.--(1) The Committee shall consist of
members appointed by the Secretary for their expertise regarding the
needs of historically underserved veteran communities. Members shall
include the following:
``(A) Not fewer than two women veterans, representing
different service eras.
``(B) Not fewer than two veterans from, and with experience
advocating for veterans from, the outlying areas of the United
States or the Freely Associated States (including American
Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the
U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the
Marshall Islands, and Palau).
``(C) Individuals who are recognized authorities on issues
affecting minority veteran populations, including--
``(i) at least one individual with expertise in
health care or benefits for women veterans; and
``(ii) at least one individual with expertise in
issues regarding veterans in tribal or insular area
communities.
``(D) Such other members the Secretary determines
appropriate.
``(2) The term of a member appointed under paragraph (1) shall be
two years, staggered to ensure continuity. A member may be reappointed.
``(3) In addition to members appointed under paragraph (1), the
Committee shall include, as ex officio members, the following officials
(or their designees):
``(A) The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government
Relations.
``(B) The Director of the Center for Women Veterans of the
Department.
``(C) The Director of the Center for Minority Veterans of
the Department.
``(4) The Secretary shall designate one member of the Committee to
serve as the Chair.
``(c) Functions.--The functions of the Committee include the
following:
``(1) To advise the Secretary on the administration of
benefits and services for veterans who are members of
populations that have been historically underserved, under-
represented, or faced unique barriers to access.
``(2) To assess the needs of such veterans with respect to
compensation, health care, mental health, rehabilitation,
outreach, and other benefits and programs administered by the
Secretary.
``(3) To evaluate the extent to which programs of the
Department meeting needs described in paragraph (2).
``(4) To review and make recommendations regarding reports,
studies, and program data pertaining to the experience of such
veterans, including trends in health outcomes, benefit usage
rates, and disparities in access or quality of services.
``(5) To examine and make recommendations to outreach
activities of the Department and strategies for engaging with
veterans in such communities.
``(6) To advise on the effectiveness of offices and
programs of the Department that are specifically charged with
assisting such veterans (including the Center for Women
Veterans, the Center for Minority Veterans, and the Office of
Tribal Government Relations).
``(d) Reports.--(1) Not later than July 1 of each year, the
Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and
activities of the Department during the preceding year. Each such
report shall include the following:
``(A) An assessment of the needs of such veterans for
benefits and services furnished by the Secretary.
``(B) A review and evaluation of the programs, activities,
and research initiatives of the Department designed to meet
such needs.
``(C) Recommendations for administrative or legislative
action that the Committee determines appropriate.
``(2) Not later than 90 days after receiving each report under this
subsection, the Under Secretary for Health shall submit the report,
together with the Under Secretary's comments and recommendations, to
the Secretary. The Secretary shall submit all such documents to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of
Representatives.
``(e) Administrative Matters.--(1) The Secretary shall provide such
staff, data, and administrative support to the Committee as necessary
for the Committee to carry out its duties.
``(2) Members of the Committee shall serve without pay, but shall
receive travel expenses and per diem for any travel performed in the
course of service on the Committee, in accordance with section 5703 of
title 5.
``(3) The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair or the
Secretary, but not less frequently than twice per year. Meetings may be
conducted in person or through electronic means, as the Secretary deems
appropriate.
``(f) Termination.--Unless renewed pursuant to section 14 of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Committee shall
terminate not later than September 30, 2028. The Secretary may
terminate the Committee at any time before such date.
``Sec. 552. Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War,
Compensation, and Memorial Affairs
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department of
Veterans Affairs an advisory committee to be known as the `Advisory
Committee on Former Prisoners of War, Compensation, and Memorial
Affairs' (in this section referred to as the `Committee').
``(b) Membership; Terms; Chair.--(1) Members of the Committee shall
be appointed by the Secretary and shall include the following:
``(A) A veteran who is a former prisoner of war, or a
family member or advocates for former prisoners of war
(hereinafter, `POWs'), to provide insight into the experiences
and needs of such veterans.
``(B) Individuals who are recognized authorities in fields
relevant to disabilities prevalent among former POWs, such as
epidemiology, mental health, nutrition, geriatrics, or internal
medicine.
``(C) Representatives of veterans with service-connected
disabilities and experts in veterans disability compensation
policy.
``(D) Individuals with expertise in memorial affairs,
funeral services, or military or veteran burials.
``(E) Such other individuals the Secretary determines
appropriate to ensure a comprehensive representation of
perspectives on compensation, POW issues, and memorial matters.
``(2) The term of a member appointed under paragraph (1) shall be
two years, staggered to ensure continuity. A member may be reappointed.
``(3) The Secretary shall designate one member of the Committee to
serve as the Chair.
``(c) Functions.--The functions of the Committee are the following:
``(1) To advise the Secretary on the administration and
adequacy of benefits for disabled veterans, including
compensation and the schedule for rating disabilities.
``(2) To assess the needs of veterans who are former POWs
(including disability compensation, health care, and
rehabilitation) and to evaluate the programs and policies of
the Department meant to address such needs (including
presumptions of service connection for former POWs, the
provision of specialized health care (including mental health
care) to such veterans, and outreach efforts to ensure former
POWs are aware of and receiving benefits).
``(3) To advise the Secretary on the administration of
burial benefits and memorial programs for veterans and their
eligible family members, including policies on burial
allowances, headstones or markers, and the operation of
national cemeteries.
``(4) The review and make recommendations regarding the
services and plans of the National Cemetery Administration to
address the needs of veterans and survivors.
``(5) To assess and make recommendations regarding the
effectiveness of the programs of the Department that
commemorate and honor the service and sacrifices of veterans