Kelly Morrison
09/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2025 16:48
U.S. House Passes Rep. Kelly Morrison’s Bipartisan Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act, which includes the provisions of Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03)'s bipartisan bill, the Justice for America's Veterans and Survivors Act. This bipartisan bill will require the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to report to Congress on veterans' causes of death and whether such veterans had a total service-connected disability rating. Better data collection and documentation will lead to a better understanding of veterans' physical and mental health and improved suicide prevention. As a doctor for more than 20 years and a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Representative Morrison is committed to making sure our nation's veterans have the care and support they have earned.
This bill is co-led by Representative Chuck Edwards (NC-11) and is endorsed by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Officers Association of America.
Earlier this year, Rep. Morrison became the first freshman Democrat to pass a bill this Congress when her bipartisan Rural Small Business Resilience Act passed the House. This is now the third bipartisan piece of legislation Rep. Morrison has passed through the U.S. House of Representatives in the first few months of her first term in Congress.
"As a physician, I know firsthand that thorough and accurate data is critical to delivering the best possible care for patients," said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. "This commonsense legislation will provide the information we need to ensure that our veterans are getting the best possible care, a goal we all share. I'm proud that our bipartisan effort has passed the House and I am hopeful that our colleagues in the Senate will take swift action to pass the bill and send it to the President's desk."
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Watch Rep. Morrison speak during debate of this bill on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives HERE.
Read the full transcript of Rep. Morrison's remarks below:
Mr. Speaker,
I rise in support of H.R. 3854, the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act. The bill before us includes the provisions of the Justice for America's Veterans and Survivors Act, which I co-led with the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Edwards.
Our bipartisan bill would improve VA's data collection efforts on the prevailing causes of death among veterans.
As a physician, I can tell you firsthand that thorough and accurate data is critical to delivering the best possible care for patients.
I believe it is incumbent upon us as lawmakers to take the same approach to policymaking, especially when it comes to crafting legislation to help care for our veterans.
The information provided under this report will help us to better understand the most serious threats facing our veterans, whether it be suicide, toxic exposure, or other life-threatening conditions
This reporting will also include important information on veterans with service-connected disability, which will help ensure that surviving family members receive the benefits they are entitled to in a timely fashion.
This commonsense legislation will provide the information we need to ensure that our veterans are getting the best possible care, a goal we all share.
I want to end by thanking the gentleman from North Carolina for his partnership and the Chair and Ranking Member for their support. I'd also like to thank the bill sponsor, the gentleman from California, Mr. Valadao.
I urge my colleagues to vote YES on this legislation; I yield back.
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