Fedorchak votes to advance five bipartisan bills supporting veterans, military families, and VA care

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) supported five bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening veterans' benefits, improving access to education and job training, modernizing VA programs, and expanding support for veterans and their families.

"North Dakota has a high rate of military participation. Our veterans answered the call to serve, and Congress has a responsibility to honor our commitment to them through support systems that meet their needs. These bills focus on practical improvements that help veterans transition into the workforce, modernize education and training programs, improve access to mental health care, and clarify and set time limits on benefit decisions," Fedorchak said.

The bills received broad bipartisan support and now head to the Senate for consideration:

• H.R. 980, the Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025, improves the VA's Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program by increasing counseling flexibility, expanding approved vocational training options, strengthening outreach, and setting clearer timelines for benefit decisions.

• H.R. 1458, the VETS Opportunity Act of 2025, modernizes VA education benefits by expanding approved independent study programs, improving repayment timing for certain beneficiaries, accommodating service-related education interruptions, and strengthening compliance and communication with schools.

• H.R. 3123, the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, allows pension benefits awarded to a veteran before death-but paid afterward-to be distributed to surviving family members or the veteran's estate, rather than reverting back to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• H.R. 658clarifies eligibility requirements for marriage and family therapists who provide clinical supervision at the VA by recognizing State authorization or national professional designation, helping expand the VA mental health workforce.

• H.R. 3497, the Medal of Sacrifice Act, establishes a presidential Medal of Sacrifice to honor law enforcement officers and first responders who are killed in the line of duty, including those who previously served in uniform.

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