Honoring the heroic military service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans from the great State of Texas, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 863
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T16:51:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution (H. Res. 863) aims to honor the military service, sacrifices, and ongoing contributions of veterans from Texas. It recognizes their role in protecting U.S. freedoms and highlights challenges they face, while expressing Congress's commitment to supporting them. Introduced on November 7, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, it serves as a symbolic statement rather than enforceable law.
Key Provisions
The resolution consists of extensive background "Whereas" clauses detailing Texas veterans' history and current needs, followed by four main "Resolved" directives for the House of Representatives:
- Honor service and sacrifice: Acknowledges the contributions of Texas veterans and their families to global peace and freedom.
- Commit to support services: Pledges collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies to ensure veterans receive timely health care, benefits, and compensation.
- Aid transitions to civilian life: Reaffirms Congress's dedication to helping veterans adjust after military service.
- Invest in resources: Emphasizes the need for continued funding of programs that support veterans' well-being.
Background facts include:
- Texas has nearly 1,600,000 veterans, the highest in the U.S., including over 203,000 women veterans (the most nationwide) and one-third people of color.
- Texas veterans' sacrifices in major conflicts (e.g., over 22,000 deaths in World War II, 102 Medal of Honor recipients).
- Challenges like mental health issues (e.g., PTSD common among women veterans), high suicide rates (17 veteran suicides daily nationwide), homelessness (over 32,000 homeless veterans nationally), and employment transitions.
- Texas's leadership in VA facilities, veteran-owned businesses, and representation (11 of 80 House veteran members from Texas).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or policies. It references prior laws, such as the 1994 Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act (which created the Center for Minority Veterans), but does not amend them.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Encourages the VA and other executive branches to prioritize veteran care, potentially influencing future funding or program emphasis, though without mandatory requirements.
- On citizens: Raises public awareness of Texas veterans' contributions and struggles, which could foster community support, improve access to resources like health care and housing, and highlight issues like suicide prevention and job transitions.
- On international relations: Minimal direct impact, but it underscores U.S. military heritage, which may indirectly bolster national pride in defense commitments abroad.
Overall, the effects are largely symbolic, promoting goodwill and bipartisan unity on veterans' issues without enforceable outcomes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Texas veterans and their families: Primary focus, benefiting from recognition and implied support for services.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Highlighted for its facilities and programs; the resolution urges collaboration on care and benefits.
- Congressional members from Texas: Bipartisan sponsors (e.g., from both parties) represent districts with high veteran populations.
- Broader veteran community: Includes women, minorities, and homeless or mentally ill veterans nationwide, as Texas examples illustrate wider issues.
- Business and community sectors: Notes veteran-owned businesses and employment challenges, potentially affecting state-level economic initiatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no binding effect and cannot enforce actions or allocate funds; it operates within Congress's power to express sentiments under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's oversight role on military and veterans' affairs but raises no challenges to separation of powers or individual rights.
- Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan cooperation (sponsors from diverse Texas districts), potentially building momentum for future veterans' legislation. It avoids controversy by focusing on gratitude and support, reinforcing Veterans Day themes without partisan debate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-07: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-11-07: Submitted in House
- 2025-11-07: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Honoring the heroic military service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans from the great State of Texas, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-11-07 — PDF (5 pages)