November 12, 2025
Mr. Issa (for himself, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mr. Crow, and Ms. Houlahan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.
Section 1. Credit for certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female cultural support teams
(a) Military service: records; calculation of retired pay
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall ensure that the performance of covered service is included in—
(1)
the military service record of each individual who performed covered service; and
(2)
the computation of retired pay for each individual who performed covered service.
(b) Claims for veterans benefits arising from covered service
(1) Determination of service connection
Upon the filing of a claim by an individual for service-connected disability or death incurred or aggravated in the course of covered service, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine whether such disability or death was service-connected.
(2) Treatment of covered service
In the consideration of a claim under this subsection, the Secretary shall treat covered service as engagement in combat with the enemy in the course of active military, naval, air, or space service.
(3) Effective date of award
Except as provided by subparagraph (B), the effective date of an award under this subsection shall be determined in accordance with section 5110 of title 38, United States Code.
(4) Processing of claims
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall improve training and guidance for employees who may process a claim under this subsection.
(5) Outreach
The Secretary shall conduct outreach to inform individuals who performed covered service (and survivors of such individuals) that they may submit supplemental claims for service-connected disability or death incurred or aggravated in the course of covered service. Such outreach shall include the following:
(A)
The Secretary shall publish on the internet website of the Department a notice that such individuals may elect to file a supplemental claim.
(B)
The Secretary shall notify, in writing or by electronic means, veterans service organizations of the ability of such individuals to file a supplemental claim.
(c) Study and report on certain members of the Armed Forces
(1) Study
The Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study to identify the size and number of groups of individuals who—
(A)
performed service as a member of the Armed Forces that the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Veterans Affairs determine is substantially similar to covered service; and
(B)
have a military service record that does not include such service as a member of the Armed Forces.
(2) Report
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report that includes the findings of the study under paragraph (1).
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term covered service
means service—
(A)
as a member of the Armed Forces;
(B)
in a female cultural support team;
(C)
with the personnel development skill identifier of R2J or 5DK; and
(D)
during the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on August 31, 2021.
(2)
The terms active military, naval, air, or space service
and service-connected
have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(3)
The term Secretary concerned
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.
Sec. 2. Report on certain claims for service-connected disability
(a) Report required
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report regarding covered claims. Such report shall include the numbers of covered claims, disaggregated by gender of the claimant and whether the military service record of the claimant includes a combat identifier, that, respectively—
(1)
were submitted;
(2)
were granted;
(3)
were denied;
(4)
were unresolved; or
(5)
were appealed.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1)
The term covered claim
means a claim—
(A)
for service-connected disability;
(B)
on the basis of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury; and
(C)
submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on or after January 1, 1990.
(2)
The term service-connected
has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Modification of certain housing loan fees
The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 15, 2031
each place it appears and inserting December 3, 2031
.