What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess notices that the VA sends to claimants applying for or submitting claims for VA benefits. The VA must report on the findings of the assessment and implement recommendations in the assessment. The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through June 23, 2034, under the VA's home loan program.
Vote Breakdown · How Congress voted on HR.1039
House
412-0
PASSED
Democrats
207 yea
0 nay
Republicans
202 yea
0 nay
Independents
3 yea
0 nay
Action Timeline
2025-04-08
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2025-04-07
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437)
2025-04-07
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-04-07
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 - 0 (Roll no. 90). (text: CR H1437: 1)
2025-04-07
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1442-1443)
2025-04-07
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2025-04-07
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1039.
2025-04-07
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-04-07
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1437-1439)
2025-03-26
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.1039 pass?
HR.1039 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: 48%.
What does HR.1039 do?
Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess notices that the VA sends to claimants applying for or submitting claims for VA benefits. The VA must report on the findings of the assessment and implement recommendations in the assessment. The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through June 23, 2034, under the VA's home loan program.
Who sponsored HR.1039?
HR.1039 was sponsored by Tom Barrett (R-Michigan).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 1039 EH: Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1039 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center for an assessment of notice letters that the Secretary sends to claimants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act . 2. Independent assessment of notices that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs sends to claimants (a) Agreement Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with an FFRDC for an assessment of notices that the Secretary sends to claimants. (b) Assessment An FFRDC that enters to an agreement under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a written assessment of such notices. The assessment shall include the following: (1) The determination of the FFRDC, made in consultation with covered entities, whether each such notice may be feasibly altered to reduce paper consumption by, and costs to, the Federal Government. (2) The recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such notices clearer to claimants, better organized, and more concise. (c) Report; implementation Not later than 90 days after the Secretary receives the assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— (1) submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of such assessment; and (2) implement the recommendations in the assessment that are in compliance with the laws administered by the Secretary. (d) Deadline for implementation The Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations pursuant to subsection (c)(2) by not later than one year after the date on which the Secretary commences such implementation. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) The term FFRDC means a federally funded research and development center. (2) The term covered entities includes— (A) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B) an expert in laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (C) a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code; (D) an entity that advocates for veterans; and (E) an entity that advocates for the survivors of veterans. (3) The terms claimant and notice have the meanings given such terms in section 5100 of title 38, United States Code. 3. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting December 31, 2031 . Passed the House of Representatives April 7, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
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