Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2682
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-08: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:42:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of S. 2682
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Haven, Connecticut, as the "Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center" to honor the life, military service, and advocacy work of Paul W. "Bud" Bucha, a Medal of Honor recipient and veterans' advocate who received care at the facility.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Short Title: The Act is called the "Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center Act of 2025."
- Findings: The bill includes 15 detailed statements about Bucha's background, including his birth in 1943, education at West Point, service in Vietnam, receipt of the Medal of Honor in 1970, post-military career, involvement with veterans' groups, and his battle with post-traumatic stress and Alzheimer's disease. It notes his care and death at the West Haven facility in 2024.
- Designation: Effective upon enactment, the West Haven VA medical center (or any successor site) must be officially named the "Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center."
- References: All future U.S. government laws, regulations, maps, documents, or records referring to the facility must use the new name.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This legislation makes no substantive policy changes to veterans' benefits, healthcare operations, or other statutes. It solely updates the official name of one specific VA facility, requiring corresponding updates in official records and references.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Veterans Affairs must update signage, websites, records, and references for the West Haven facility, which may involve minor administrative and logistical efforts.
- On Citizens: The change honors a veteran and may increase public awareness of Bucha's story and veterans' issues, particularly mental health support, without altering services provided at the center.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Veterans Affairs, responsible for implementing the name change.
- Veterans, their families, and staff at the West Haven medical center.
- Bucha's family and veterans' service organizations.
- Members of Congress, including sponsors Senators Blumenthal and Murphy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill represents a routine congressional naming action with no apparent conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or existing laws. It carries no major political or legal controversies, as such designations are typically nonpartisan honors for individuals with distinguished service.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-08: Held at the desk.
- 2025-08-08: Received in the House.
- 2025-08-08: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-08-02: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5520-5521; text: CR S5521)
- 2025-08-02: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-08-02: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Captain Paul W. ‘Bud’ Bucha VA Medical Center Act of 2025 — issued 2025-08-02 — PDF (6 pages)
- Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center Act of 2025 — issued 2025-08-02 — PDF (8 pages)