IB 

Union Calendar No. 507 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 8354 

[Report No. 116–618] 

To establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil 

Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 

Ms. ESCOBAR (for herself and Mr. TAYLOR) introduced the following bill; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

DECEMBER 7, 2020 

Additional sponsors: Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. GARCIA of Texas, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. 

CORREA, Mr. NADLER, and Mr. NEGUSE

DECEMBER 7, 2020 

Reported from the Committee on the Judiciary; committed to the Committee 

of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
2 

•HR 8354 RH

A BILL 

To establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative 

within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of 

Justice, and for other purposes. 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
3 

•HR 8354 RH

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Servicemembers and 

5 Veterans Initiative Act of 2020.’’ 

6 SEC. 2. SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS INITIATIVE. 

7 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the 

8 Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil 

9 Rights Division of the Department of Justice. 

10 (b) DUTIES.—The Servicemembers and Veterans Ini11 tiative shall— 

12 (1) serve as legal and policy advisor to the At13 torney General on the Department of Justice’s ef14 forts to enforce criminal and civil laws that impact 

15 servicemembers, veterans, and their families; 

16 (2) develop policy recommendations for the At17 torney General on how the Department of Justice 

18 may improve enforcement of Federal law to support 

19 servicemembers, veterans, and their families; 

20 (3) serve as the liaison and point of contact be21 tween the Department of Justice and the military 

22 departments; 

23 (4) provide counsel to the Assistant Attorney 

24 General for the Office of Justice Programs to ensure 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
4 

•HR 8354 RH

1 funding decisions take into account servicemembers, 

2 veterans, and their families; 

3 (5) consult with components of the Department 

4 of Justice to promote the provision of civil legal aid 

5 to servicemembers, veterans, and their families; 

6 (6) serve as a liaison with the Assistant Attor7 ney General for the Criminal Division to coordinate 

8 the prosecution of Federal crimes involving fraud 

9 that target servicemembers; and 

10 (7) enforce other Federal laws that protect 

11 servicemembers and veterans, as the Attorney Gen12 eral determines appropriate. 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS

pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 507 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 8354 

[Report No. 116–618] 

A BILL 

To establish the Servicemembers and Veterans Inipartment of Justice, and for other purposes. tiative within the Civil Rights Division of the DeDECEMBER 7, 2020 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 

State of the Union and ordered to be printed 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS