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HR1039FEDERALSession 119Federal Billpassed chamber

Passed

Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act (H.R. 1039)

Original title: Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act

Last action · April 8, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Sponsors: Tom Barrett and 9 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire an independent research center to evaluate and improve the clarity of letters sent to veterans regarding their benefit claims. It also extends the expiration date for certain VA housing loan fees by two weeks.

Why it matters

Veterans applying for benefits will receive more concise and organized communication from the VA, while the agency aims to reduce paper usage and administrative costs through this independent assessment.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Veterans

Claimants will receive updated, clearer, and more concise notice letters regarding their benefit claims.

Directly affected

Veterans service organizations

These organizations are designated as 'covered entities' that will be consulted during the assessment process.

Directly affected

Department of Veterans Affairs

The agency is required to contract an assessment, report to Congress, and implement recommended changes to their communication and loan fee schedules.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FFRDC?

An is a federally funded research and development center, which is a private-sector organization that assists the government with research, development, and analysis.

How will this affect my VA benefits?

The bill does not change your eligibility for benefits, but it aims to make the letters you receive from the VA easier to understand and better organized.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

13 actions

Apr 8, 2025SenateCommittee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 7, 2025House
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 7, 2025HouseFloor
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)
Apr 7, 2025HouseFloor
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)
Apr 7, 2025House
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1442-1443)
Apr 7, 2025House
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.

Show 7 earlier actions

Apr 7, 2025House
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1039.
Apr 7, 2025House
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1437-1439)
Apr 7, 2025House
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 26, 2025House
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 26, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Feb 6, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 6, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

What This Bill Would Do

Who It Would Affect

Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

News Coverage

Where This Stands

Procedural history

Version history

Voting Record

Full breakdown

Sponsors

Discoveries

Focus on Administrative Clarity

Connected Entities

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