I 
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 De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans Affairs Advi-
sory Committee Oversight Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEES 
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS. 
Subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
sections (and amending the table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 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 Sec-
retary shall appoint the members of the Committee, in-
cluding the following: 
‘‘(A) A veteran who uses prosthetic or rehabili-
tative 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 vet-
erans. 
‘‘(D) An individual with expertise in environ-
mental health or toxic exposures described in sub-
chapter 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 or-
ganization, recognized under section 5902 of this 
title, that represents disabled or aging veterans. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(G) Other individuals the Secretary determines 
appropriate to ensure various perspectives on vet-
erans’ needs for health care, across regions and pop-
ulations. 
‘‘(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 Sec-
retary relating to a new veteran’s readjustment to 
civilian life, including mental health counseling and 
outreach programs. 
‘‘(3) To evaluate the programs of the Depart-
ment that relate to health conditions related to envi-
ronmental or toxic exposures, and to advise on 
emerging health hazards and appropriate responses. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) To review the coordination of prosthetic 
and rehabilitative research and development initia-
tives within the Department and with external part-
ners, 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, acces-
sibility, 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 re-
port shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) An review and assessment of the hospital 
care and medical services furnished by the Sec-
retary, 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 ap-
propriate. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 90 days after receiving each re-
port under this subsection, the Under Secretary for 
Health shall submit the report, together with the Under 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
Secretary’s comments and recommendations, to the Sec-
retary. 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, in-
cluding 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 fre-
quently 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. 
‘‘§ 550. Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transi-
tion Advisory Committee 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Department an advisory committee to be known as the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Advisory 
Committee’ (in this section referred to as the ‘Com-
mittee’). 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP; TERMS; CHAIR.—(1) The Sec-
retary 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 high-
er education or training program that serves vet-
erans. 
‘‘(C) An individual with expertise in employ-
ment and job training programs for veterans. 
‘‘(D) An individual with experience in hiring or 
training veterans. 
‘‘(E) A veteran who separated from active mili-
tary, 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) The term of a member appointed under para-
graph (1) shall be two years, staggered to ensure con-
tinuity. 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 Bene-
fits regarding the effectiveness of the educational 
benefits, vocational rehabilitation, employment as-
sistance, and transition services furnished by the 
Secretary in enabling veterans to successfully read-
just to civilian life and achieve economic stability. 
‘‘(2) To assemble and review information on the 
needs of veterans in readjusting to civilian employ-
ment, higher education, and job training. Such infor-
mation shall include identified barriers that veterans 
(including women, minority, and economically dis-
advantaged veterans) face in such readjustment. 
‘‘(3) To assess the effectiveness of the edu-
cational benefits, vocational training, job placement, 
and entrepreneurship training furnished by the Sec-
retary in improving economic opportunities for vet-
erans. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) To advise the Under Secretary regarding 
means to improve interagency coordination and part-
nership 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 (in-
cluding 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, employ-
ment, 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 vet-
erans. 
‘‘(B) A review and evaluation of programs of 
the Department designed to meet such needs. 
‘‘(C) A summary of the activities of the Com-
mittee during the preceding year. 
‘‘(D) Recommendations for administrative or 
legislative action that the Committee determines ap-
propriate. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) Not later than 90 days after receiving each re-
port under this subsection, the Under Secretary shall sub-
mit the report, together with the Under Secretary’s com-
ments and recommendations, to the Secretary. The Sec-
retary shall submit all such documents to the Committees 
on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives, 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.—(1) The Secretary 
shall provide such staff support, information, and adminis-
trative 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 sec-
tion 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘§ 551. Advisory Committee on Veterans Special Pop-
ulations 
‘‘(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 Com-
mittee shall consist of members appointed by the Sec-
retary for their expertise regarding the needs of histori-
cally underserved veteran communities. Members shall in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(A) Not fewer than two women veterans, rep-
resenting 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 As-
sociated States (including American Samoa, Guam, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the 
U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micro-
nesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau). 
‘‘(C) Individuals who are recognized authorities 
on issues affecting minority veteran populations, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(i) at least one individual with expertise 
in health care or benefits for women veterans; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) at least one individual with expertise 
in issues regarding veterans in tribal or insular 
area communities. 
‘‘(D) Such other members the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate. 
‘‘(2) The term of a member appointed under para-
graph (1) shall be two years, staggered to ensure con-
tinuity. A member may be reappointed. 
‘‘(3) In addition to members appointed under para-
graph (1), the Committee shall include, as ex officio mem-
bers, 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 administra-
tion of benefits and services for veterans who are 
members of populations that have been historically 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
underserved, under-represented, or faced unique bar-
riers to access. 
‘‘(2) To assess the needs of such veterans with 
respect to compensation, health care, mental health, 
rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and pro-
grams administered by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) To evaluate the extent to which programs 
of the Department meeting needs described in para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(4) To review and make recommendations re-
garding reports, studies, and program data per-
taining 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 specifi-
cally charged with assisting such veterans (including 
the Center for Women Veterans, the Center for Mi-
nority Veterans, and the Office of Tribal Govern-
ment Relations). 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.—(1) Not later than July 1 of each 
year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
on the programs and activities of the Department during 
the preceding year. Each such report shall include the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) An assessment of the needs of such vet-
erans for benefits and services furnished by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(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 ap-
propriate. 
‘‘(2) Not later than 90 days after receiving each re-
port under this subsection, the Under Secretary for 
Health shall submit the report, together with the Under 
Secretary’s comments and recommendations, to the Sec-
retary. 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 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
travel performed in the course of service on the Com-
mittee, 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. 
‘‘§ 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 Pris-
oners 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 pris-
oners of war (hereinafter, ‘POWs’), to provide in-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
sight into the experiences and needs of such vet-
erans. 
‘‘(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 dis-
ability compensation policy. 
‘‘(D) Individuals with expertise in memorial af-
fairs, funeral services, or military or veteran burials. 
‘‘(E) Such other individuals the Secretary de-
termines appropriate to ensure a comprehensive rep-
resentation of perspectives on compensation, POW 
issues, and memorial matters. 
‘‘(2) The term of a member appointed under para-
graph (1) shall be two years, staggered to ensure con-
tinuity. 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 administra-
tion and adequacy of benefits for disabled veterans, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
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 serv-
ice connection for former POWs, the provision of 
specialized health care (including mental health 
care) to such veterans, and outreach efforts to en-
sure former POWs are aware of and receiving bene-
fits). 
‘‘(3) To advise the Secretary on the administra-
tion 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 re-
garding the services and plans of the National Cem-
etery Administration to address the needs of vet-
erans and survivors. 
‘‘(5) To assess and make recommendations re-
garding the effectiveness of the programs of the De-
partment that commemorate and honor the service 
and sacrifices of veterans and their families, (includ-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
ing the maintenance of cemeteries, availability of 
gravesites, and memorial tributes for under-recog-
nized groups of veterans). 
‘‘(6) To identify and make recommendations re-
garding legislative or administrative barriers that 
hinder the ability of the Secretary to promptly and 
fairly compensate veterans for service-connected dis-
abilities or to provide appropriate memorial benefits. 
‘‘(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 fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) An assessment of the needs of veterans 
and their survivors for disability compensation, in-
cluding an evaluation of whether the current com-
pensation structure (such as the rating schedule and 
ancillary benefits) adequately compensates veterans 
for the loss of earning capacity and quality of life. 
‘‘(B) An assessment of the specific needs of 
former POWs for compensation, health care, and re-
habilitation. 
‘‘(C) An assessment of needs related to burial 
and memorial services for veterans and their fami-
lies. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:07 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6764.IH
H6764
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS