To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the authorization of appropriations for comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3013
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-15T18:07:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 3013: Increasing Appropriations for Homeless Veterans Programs
Purpose
This bill aims to provide additional funding authorization for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to support comprehensive service programs that assist homeless veterans. These programs offer housing, healthcare, job training, and other support services to help veterans transition out of homelessness.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 2016 of title 38, United States Code, which governs funding for VA homeless veterans programs.
- Modifies existing paragraph (7) to limit its open-ended funding authorization (previously for fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent year) to specifically cover fiscal years 2015 through 2024.
- Adds two new paragraphs:
- Paragraph (8): Authorizes $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
- Paragraph (9): Authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" (an open-ended amount determined by future congressional appropriations) for each fiscal year after 2025.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The prior law provided a blanket authorization for funding starting from fiscal year 2015 without specified annual caps beyond that point. This bill restructures it by capping the old authorization at fiscal year 2024, introducing a specific higher amount for 2025, and reverting to open-ended funding thereafter.
- This effectively increases the baseline funding level for 2025 and allows for potential growth in future years, signaling a commitment to sustained or expanded support without mandating exact amounts annually.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will have access to at least $350 million in authorized funds for 2025, enabling expanded services like emergency housing and mental health support. This could strain or optimize VA budgets depending on actual appropriations approved by Congress.
- On Citizens: Primarily benefits homeless veterans by potentially increasing availability of support programs, helping more individuals access stable housing and reintegration services. It may indirectly reduce public costs related to homelessness, such as emergency healthcare or shelter usage.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses solely on domestic veterans' affairs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Homeless Veterans: Direct beneficiaries, as increased funding could enhance program reach and quality.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for administering the programs; gains clearer funding guidelines to plan services.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Congress must appropriate the funds annually; taxpayers fund these through federal budgets.
- Veterans' Advocacy Groups: Organizations like those supporting housing initiatives may see opportunities for collaboration and expanded outreach.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the statutory framework under title 38, U.S. Code, for veterans' benefits without altering eligibility rules or program structures. It relies on Congress's spending power under Article I of the Constitution, which allows for authorizing and appropriating funds for public welfare.
- Constitutional: No significant challenges; aligns with the federal government's authority to support military veterans as a constitutional duty implied in the Preamble's aim to "provide for the common defense."
- Political: Reflects bipartisan support (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) for veterans' issues, potentially influencing future budget debates. It emphasizes fiscal planning for social services but leaves actual spending to annual appropriations, avoiding mandatory spending that could raise deficit concerns.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Conaway, Herbert [D-NJ-3], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2025-04-24: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-04-24: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the authorization of appropriations for comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans. — issued 2025-04-24 — PDF (2 pages)