DRIVE Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 1288

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Last Updated

2026-06-24T08:09:32Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The DRIVE Act of 2025 aims to update the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Beneficiary Travel program, which reimburses veterans and eligible beneficiaries for travel costs related to health care services. It seeks to increase mileage reimbursement rates to better reflect current costs and ensure faster processing of payments, promoting fairness and efficiency for those using the program.

Key Provisions

• Mileage Rate Adjustment: The VA must set its mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel at a level equal to or higher than the standard rate used by the federal government for reimbursing employees who use their personal vehicles for official work (set by the General Services Administration, or GSA, under federal law). This replaces a previous fixed rate of 41.5 cents per mile.
• Timely Payment Requirement: The VA must process and pay mileage-based reimbursements within 90 days of receiving a properly submitted claim.
• Updating References: The law removes outdated mentions of the fixed rate and aligns all sections to reference the new GSA-based rate.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Rate Increase: Previously, the Beneficiary Travel program's mileage rate was capped at 41.5 cents per mile, regardless of actual travel costs. The bill ties it directly to the GSA rate (currently around 65-67 cents per mile, though it fluctuates), allowing for automatic adjustments without needing new legislation.
• Processing Timeline: Adds a mandatory 90-day deadline for payments, which was not previously specified, to reduce delays in reimbursing claimants.
• Conforming Edits: Eliminates conflicting language in the existing statute (title 38, United States Code, section 111) to ensure consistency with the new requirements.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The VA will need to update its reimbursement systems and policies to match the GSA rate and meet the 90-day processing goal, potentially increasing administrative workload and costs (funded through VA budgets). Other federal agencies, like the GSA, may see indirect involvement in rate-setting.
• On Citizens: Veterans and eligible family members (beneficiaries) who travel for VA health care will receive higher reimbursements, easing financial strain from gas and vehicle wear, especially in rural areas. Faster payments could improve access to care by reducing out-of-pocket delays.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses solely on domestic VA programs for U.S. veterans.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Veterans and Beneficiaries: Primary beneficiaries, including disabled or low-income veterans who rely on the program for medical appointments.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementing changes, processing claims, and managing increased reimbursements.
• Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through higher federal spending on veteran benefits, though the bill promotes equity in existing programs.
• Bipartisan Lawmakers: Supported by a mix of Democrats and Republicans, indicating broad congressional interest in veteran support.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the VA's statutory authority under title 38 by mandating rate parity with federal standards, reducing potential lawsuits over inadequate reimbursements. The 90-day rule adds enforceable timelines, which could be challenged if underfunded but aligns with administrative law principles for timely government action.
• Constitutional: No major issues; it falls under Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to provide for veterans' welfare, consistent with long-standing U.S. commitments to military personnel.
• Political: Enhances support for veterans' rights, a non-partisan priority, potentially boosting public approval for VA reforms. It addresses inflation's impact on travel costs without broad new spending, making it a targeted equity measure amid fiscal debates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

Cosponsors (49)

Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veteran Equity Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (3 pages)

Related Bills

• S. 599 (119th Congress)