H.R.1228 - Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1228, the "Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act," aims to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to clarify the organizational structure of the Office of Survivors Assistance within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Specifically, it seeks to change the office's location from "in the Department" to "in the Office of the Secretary". The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 12, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be an administrative reorganization within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This could potentially streamline the processes and improve the efficiency of the Office of Survivors Assistance. Ultimately, this could lead to better support and services for veterans' survivors.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Efficiency: Clarifying the office's location may streamline administrative processes.
- Enhanced Support: Better organization could lead to improved services for veterans' survivors.
- Symbolic Importance: The act emphasizes the importance of prioritizing veterans' survivors.
- Increased Accountability: Placing the office directly under the Secretary may increase accountability.
- Potentially Faster Response Times: Streamlined processes could lead to quicker responses to survivor needs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses narrowly on organizational structure and may not address broader issues affecting survivors.
- Potential for Bureaucracy: Reorganization could create temporary disruptions or new bureaucratic hurdles.
- Uncertain Impact: The actual impact on survivors' experiences is difficult to predict.
- Lack of Specificity: The bill does not detail specific improvements in services or support.
- Possible Unintended Consequences: Any organizational change carries the risk of unforeseen negative effects.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general principles of Congressional authority to legislate on matters related to the military and veterans, as implicitly granted by Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which provides Congress the power to raise and support armies and provide for a navy. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).