U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB659: Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025
Status: Passed one chamber, January 26, 2026
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to give priority to individuals with certain professional experience in recommending such individuals to serve as members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
An act To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to give priority to individuals with certain professional experience in recommending such individuals to serve as members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, January 26, 2026:
AN ACT To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to give priority to individuals with certain professional experience in recommending such individuals to serve as members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025 . SECTION 2. Priority for individuals with certain professional experience in appointments to Board of Veterans' Appeals Subsection (a) of section 7101A of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) In recommending individuals to the Secretary to serve as members of the Board, the Chairman shall give priority to individuals with three or more years of legal professional experience in areas that pertain to the laws administered by the Secretary. . Passed the House of Representatives January 20, 2026. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
Sponsors
- Julia Brownley (D, HD-CA-26) · primary sponsor
- Raul Grijalva (D, HD-AZ-7)
- Darren Soto (D, HD-FL-9)
- Delia Ramirez (D, HD-003)
- Robert Garcia (D, HD-CA-42)
Latest actions
- : Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- : Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- : On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H936)
- : Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H936)
- : DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 659.
- : Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H936-937)
- : Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- : Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 263.
- : Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-309.
- : Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Subjects: Veterans' pensions and compensation, Lawyers and legal services, Armed Forces and National Security, Administrative remedies
Common questions
- What is HB659?
- HB659 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025.
- What does HB659 do?
- In its own words: An act To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to give priority to individuals with certain professional experience in recommending such individuals to serve as members of the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB659?
- Passed one chamber as of January 26, 2026. Latest action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (January 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB659?
- Julia Brownley (D, HD-CA-26), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB659?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/659
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.