House Passes Two Ciscomani Bills to Support Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two bipartisan bills led by Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) to strengthen support and expand resources for veterans. Ciscomani, who serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and represents nearly 80,000 veterans across Arizona's 6th Congressional District, emphasized the importance of these measures in ensuring veterans receive the care, benefits, and opportunities they have earned.

Ciscomani spoke on the House floor prior to the passage of both bills. His remarks can be found HEREon H.R. 3579 and HEREon H.R. 3951.

H.R. 3579 - Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act
This bipartisan bill ensures that veterans have the necessary tools and resources to transition to civilian life successfully. Specifically, the bill provides much-needed oversight over the VA's Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) program, which offers job training and counseling to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The legislation requires the VA to track employment outcomes and wait times of participants, improving accountability and enabling Congress to evaluate the effectiveness of the VR&E program.

H.R. 3951 - Rural Veterans Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025
This bipartisan bill ensures that rural veterans have access to quality and timely physician examinations so they can receive the care and benefits they've earned, regardless of where they live. The legislation permanently allows VA providers to perform cross-state disability exams and expands the pool of providers eligible to perform disability exams to include all licensed health care professionals. These changes will reduce examiner shortages in rural areas, cut wait times, and accelerate the delivery of benefits to veterans.

Congressman Ciscomani released the following statement:

"Arizona is home to nearly 80,000 veterans, and I am committed to ensuring they receive the resources, care, and opportunities they have earned through their service. The passage of these two bipartisan bills is a meaningful step forward in delivering results for our veterans-whether by improving oversight of the VA's Readiness and Employment program or by ensuring timely access to benefits for rural veterans. I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance solutions that honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's heroes."

Quote from Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy:

"As both a veteran and the Chair of Congressman Ciscomani's Veterans Advisory Council, I know how important these bills are to our community. Too often, veterans face unnecessary delays and roadblocks when trying to access the benefits and programs they've earned. By improving oversight of the VA's Readiness and Employment program and expanding access to medical exams for rural veterans, Congressman Ciscomani is delivering real solutions that will make a direct impact in the lives of veterans across Arizona. I am proud to support his leadership on these issues and grateful for his unwavering commitment to those who have served."

Both bills now head to the Senate for consideration.

Yesterday's passage builds upon Ciscomani's record of legislative success earlier this year with the passage of two additional bills:

· H.R. 35, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, which passed the House on a bipartisan 264-155 vote. This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for operating a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the U.S. border while fleeing from a U.S. Border Patrol agent or a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer assisting or under the command of the Border Patrol.

· H.R. 1228, the Prioritizing Veterans' Survivors Act, which passed the House unanimously 424-0. This legislation restores the Office of Survivors Assistance to the Office of the VA Secretary, ensuring that surviving families of veterans receive the benefits and support they were promised, with a direct line to the Secretary to address concerns quickly and effectively.

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