To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, as the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic".

Bill Number

H.R. 255

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Last Updated

2026-05-14T08:08:42Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation aims to honor General Bernie Mittemeyer by renaming a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, after him. The VA provides healthcare services to military veterans, and this change serves as a symbolic recognition of his service.

Key Provisions

• The clinic in Lubbock, Texas, will officially be designated as the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic" upon the bill's enactment.
• All future references to the clinic in U.S. laws, regulations, maps, documents, records, or other official papers must use the new name.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• There are no substantive changes to laws or operations; this is purely a renaming provision.
• It updates nomenclature without altering the clinic's functions, funding, or eligibility for services.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: The VA will need to update signage, documents, and records, which involves minor administrative costs but no major operational shifts.
• On citizens: Veterans in the Lubbock area and their families may feel a sense of pride and recognition through the tribute, potentially boosting morale at the facility. Local residents benefit indirectly from the honor to a notable figure.
• On international relations: No impacts, as this is a domestic naming act with no foreign policy elements.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementing the name change across its systems.
• Veterans and clinic users: Primarily those receiving outpatient care in Lubbock, who will interact with the renamed facility.
• Local community in Lubbock, Texas: Including residents, veterans' groups, and possibly the family or associates of General Bernie Mittemeyer.
• Congress: Through the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which oversees the bill.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Straightforward and non-controversial; it falls under Congress's authority to name federal facilities (a common practice for honoring public servants). No challenges to existing rights or obligations.
• Constitutional: No implications, as it does not affect separation of powers, individual rights, or federal spending in a way that raises constitutional questions.
• Political: Serves as a bipartisan gesture to recognize military service, potentially fostering goodwill in Texas and among veterans' advocacy groups, but it has limited broader policy influence.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]

Cosponsors (30)

Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Menefee, Christian D. [D-TX-18]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• 2025-01-09: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• 2025-01-09: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, as the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic". — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)