Connecting Veterans to Care Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5957
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-07T09:05:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Connecting Veterans to Care Act of 2025" aims to expand federal funding eligibility for public transportation services that help veterans reach Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. By amending existing transportation grant laws, it seeks to improve access to healthcare for veterans, particularly in areas where transportation options may be limited.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility Expansion: Modifies Section 5307 of title 49, United States Code, which governs urbanized area formula grants for public transportation operating costs. Grants now cover:
- Public transportation in urbanized areas with fewer than 200,000 residents (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau), or
- Public transportation that directly serves a VA medical facility, regardless of the area's population size.
- Certification Requirement: Recipients of these grants for VA-serving transportation must submit an annual certification to the Secretary of Transportation (within 30 days of first receiving funds and each year after). The certification confirms that the funds will support operations serving VA facilities.
- Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the Secretary determines a recipient failed to provide the certified transportation services in a fiscal year, funding for those operating costs will be suspended.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, urbanized area formula grants under Section 5307(a)(1)(D) were limited to public transportation in areas with populations under 200,000. The bill broadens this to include any public transportation serving VA medical facilities, even in larger urban areas.
- Adds a new subsection (h) for certifications and penalties, while redesignating the prior subsection (h) as (i), introducing accountability measures not previously specified for this type of funding.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) will administer expanded grants and oversee certifications, potentially increasing administrative workload but also distributing more federal funds to transit providers. The VA may indirectly benefit from better patient access without direct funding changes.
- On Citizens: Veterans gain improved public transportation options to VA facilities, enhancing healthcare access, especially for those in underserved or rural-adjacent areas. Transit-dependent communities near VA sites could see service expansions.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic transportation and veterans' services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans and VA Patients: Primary beneficiaries, with easier access to medical care via funded public transit.
- Public Transit Agencies: Eligible recipients of grants, enabling them to operate or expand services to VA facilities.
- Federal Government (DOT and VA): DOT handles grant distribution and enforcement; VA facilities become key qualifiers for funding.
- Local Communities: Urban and suburban areas with VA medical centers may experience improved transportation infrastructure.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal support for veterans' services under existing transportation statutes, with built-in accountability (certifications and penalties) to ensure funds are used as intended, reducing risks of misuse.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and provide for veterans' welfare (via the Spending Clause), without raising federalism concerns as it expands voluntary grant programs.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support for veterans' issues, potentially influencing future transportation and healthcare funding debates by prioritizing VA access in federal transit policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Connecting Veterans to Care Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-07 — PDF (3 pages)