H.R.3627 - Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3627, the Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act of 2025, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the causes of death among veterans. The report must include data on veterans with service-connected disabilities rated as total, primary and secondary causes of death, and whether the death was a suicide related to a service-connected disability. This information aims to provide insights into veteran mortality and inform policy decisions.
The bill seeks to improve understanding of the factors contributing to veteran deaths. By mandating this reporting, Congress intends to enhance its oversight of veterans' affairs and potentially improve support services.
The bill amends Title 38 of the United States Code, adding a new section requiring the annual report.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would result in the Department of Veterans Affairs producing an annual report on veteran mortality. This report will provide detailed data on the causes of death, particularly focusing on veterans with service-connected disabilities.
This data could then be used to identify trends and inform interventions aimed at reducing preventable deaths among veterans. It could also lead to better allocation of resources within the VA to address specific health risks faced by veterans.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Understanding of Veteran Mortality: The annual report will provide comprehensive data on the causes of death among veterans, allowing for a better understanding of the challenges they face.
- Data-Driven Policy Decisions: The report's findings can inform policy decisions related to veterans' healthcare, mental health services, and disability benefits.
- Enhanced Oversight: Congress will have better oversight of the VA's efforts to support veterans' health and well-being.
- Targeted Interventions: The data can help identify specific risk factors and allow for the development of targeted interventions to reduce preventable deaths.
- Increased Accountability: The requirement for an annual report increases the VA's accountability in addressing the health needs of veterans.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Administrative Burden: The VA will incur additional administrative costs and workload to compile the annual report.
- Potential Privacy Concerns: The report will contain sensitive data about individual veterans, raising potential privacy concerns that must be addressed through appropriate data protection measures.
- Limited Scope: The report focuses primarily on causes of death and may not capture the full spectrum of factors affecting veterans' health and well-being.
- Delayed Impact: It may take time for the data from the report to translate into meaningful policy changes and improved outcomes for veterans.
- Potential for Misinterpretation: Data could be misinterpreted or misused if not presented and analyzed carefully.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the US Constitution, particularly the implied powers granted to Congress to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes to provide for the general welfare.
The bill's focus on veterans' affairs falls under Congress's responsibility to support those who have served in the military. There are no apparent conflicts with individual liberties or states' rights. The bill does not infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or freedoms.
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).