What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess the forms that the VA sends to claimants. The center must submit a written assessment to the VA that includes recommendations on how the VA may make the forms clearer and more organized. The VA must implement certain recommendations in the assessment within two years after the assessment is received.
Vote Breakdown · How Congress voted on HR.1286
House
386-1
PASSED
Republicans
191 yea
1 nay
Democrats
192 yea
0 nay
Independents
3 yea
0 nay
⚠️ 1 member broke with party on this vote
Action Timeline
2025-05-20
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2025-05-19
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-05-19
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
2025-05-19
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): 386 - 1 (Roll no. 133). (text: CR H2125)
2025-05-19
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2136-2137)
2025-05-19
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.
2025-05-19
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1286.
2025-05-19
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2124-2126)
2025-05-19
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-05-17
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.1286 pass?
HR.1286 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: 48%.
What does HR.1286 do?
Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess the forms that the VA sends to claimants. The center must submit a written assessment to the VA that includes recommendations on how the VA may make the forms clearer and more organized. The VA must implement certain recommendations in the assessment within two years after the assessment is received.
Who sponsored HR.1286?
HR.1286 was sponsored by Robert P. Bresnahan (R-Pennsylvania).
Who voted against HR.1286?
1 members broke with their party on this vote. Notably, Ralph Norman (R) voted nay.
Full Bill Text
119 HR 1286 EH: Simplifying Forms 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. IB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1286 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 forms 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 Simplifying Forms for Veterans Claims Act . 2. Independent assessment of forms 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 forms 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, made in consultation with covered entities, of such forms. The assessment shall include the recommendations of the FFRDC regarding how the Secretary may make such forms clearer to claimants and better organized. (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 two years 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 survivors of veterans. (3) The term claimant has the meaning given such term 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 May 19, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
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