[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee today advanced five bills authored by Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to better serve veterans nationwide as part of a business meeting to consider pending legislation.

“Whatever our complaints about the VA…we have really sought to work together in a bipartisan way on this legislative package of bills. And I think it’s important for veterans and advocates to know we’re still capable of coming together in good faith to advance ideas and legislation on their behalf…Today, I’m particularly proud to advance my Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025…to make sure survivors of military sexual trauma have access to every tool needed to heal from their trauma. Other critical bills on today’s agenda ensure VA is better serving disabled veterans, women veterans, and student veterans…support veterans caregivers, and extend and expand the mental health [care for] veterans and make care more accessible—very, very important goals,” said Blumenthal during his opening remarks.

The Committee considered and passed the following bills authored by Senator Blumenthal:

Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 – Bipartisan legislation to improve military sexual trauma (MST) survivors’ access to health care and benefits, as well as bolster MST claims processing. Building off Blumenthal’s work as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on Operation Fouled Anchor, it would also ensure individuals who leave service academies early are told about their potential eligibility for MST-related care and counseling at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and can access their MST-related records.

Ensuring VetSuccess on Campus Act of 2025 – Bipartisan legislation to expand the VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program for veterans nationwide who are pursuing higher education. This bill would make sure at least one VSOC counselor is located at a higher education institution in each state—including Connecticut, which currently does not have a VSOC counselor.

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 – Bipartisan legislation to ensure the rate of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and military survivors under VA keeps pace with the cost of living. This bill would increase certain VA benefits including disability compensation, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children to reflect increases in the cost of living.

Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act of 2025 – Bipartisan legislation that would establish a program to award grants to nonprofit organizations to help them carry out programs that would provide service dogs to eligible veterans.

Fiscal Year 2026 Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act – Bipartisan legislation to authorize a VA medical facility.

The Committee also passed several bills with strong backing from Senator Blumenthal, including:

Hope for Heroes Act – Legislation to expand and reauthorize the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program—a first-of-its-kind program created under the Hannon Act to provide federal funding for local veteran suicide prevention programs. The renewal of the Fox Grants is a key provision Blumenthal’s BRAVE Act to strengthen veterans’ life-saving mental health care, workforce, and services.

Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act – Bipartisan legislation to ensure each VA medical center contains a private, hygienic lactation space specifically dedicated for nursing veterans, VA employees, and their partners.

Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act – Bipartisan legislation to strengthen menopause research at VA and the Department of Defense, with a focus on the effect of combat roles and toxic exposure.

Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act – Bipartisan legislation to identify and research Jewish-American servicemembers interred in American cemeteries overseas who are buried beneath grave markers that do not accurately reflect their religion and heritage.

Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act – Bipartisan legislation to make certain VA better assists the family caregivers of veterans as they transition into the workforce or retirement after their caregiver responsibilities have ended, including providing employee assistance, retirement planning, and bereavement counseling.

Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act – Bipartisan legislation to ensure VA is in full compliance with federal disability laws and provides guidance and recommendations on ways to make programs and facilities more accessible for those with disabilities to include veterans and VA employees.

A full list of the bills that cleared the Committee markup can be found HERE.