Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and several Democratic colleagues have introduced the Honor Our Promise to Veterans Act, a bill aimed at overhauling the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) health care system. The proposed legislation seeks to invest in the VA’s infrastructure, enhance recruitment and retention of qualified health care employees, and raise standards of care for veterans.
Blumenthal is joined by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
“Democrats are pushing sweeping reforms to fix a VA system stretched to its limits. The VA system is underfunded, understaffed, and overdue for reform. We are demanding major capital investments in VA facilities, more money for the staff who deliver health care, and increased standards for community care,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal.
He added, “Built on years of feedback from veterans and recommendations from watchdogs, our legislation enacts sweeping historic reforms to ensure veterans receive high-quality, timely care—both at VA facilities and in the community. The Honor Act mandates broad, landmark investments to replace VA’s aging infrastructure and make VA clinicians’ compensation more competitive. It aims to guarantee veterans’ access to well-trained, veteran-informed care no matter where they live.”
Senator Alsobrooks stated, “We have an obligation to do more than just thank our veterans for their service. We owe veterans the full, critical benefits they earned through their service. The Honor Act is an important step in fulfilling our obligation by ensuring the VA can easily improve its infrastructure, recruit high quality candidates, and always ensure our veterans are receiving the highest quality health care.”
Senator King emphasized the importance of strong support systems: “We owe it to veterans in Maine and across the nation to provide them with the highest standard of care and support. A critical part of meeting that responsibility is ensuring the VA has a strong workforce and the infrastructure necessary to serve those who have served us. The Honor Our Promises to Veterans Act does exactly what its name suggests: it helps ensure the VA remains accountable to our veterans and fulfills the commitments our nation has made to them.”
According to Senator Duckworth, “The Honor Act is a critical investment into the VA that truly prioritizes our Veterans. It will expedite Veterans' access to much-needed care, hold community practitioners to higher standards and increase oversight into VA infrastructure projects. Further, it will help alleviate the staffing shortages largely caused by the Trump Administration’s extreme measures to push out nearly 30,000 employees this year. I’m proud to join Senator Blumenthal in introducing this comprehensive legislation that upholds the integrity of VA as the medical center home and keeps the care of our Veterans as VA’s highest priority.”
Senator Hirono criticized previous administration actions: “Veterans are important members of our communities who have risked their lives in service to our country, and they deserve the highest possible quality of care, education, and training. Instead of supporting our veterans, the Trump Administration has spent the last year repeatedly attacked our veteran community, gutting VA funding and stripping veterans of care they need. By helping to initiate policy reforms including recruiting high-quality employees, improving infrastructure, and supporting education, this comprehensive legislation is another step in the right direction to ensuring that veterans are prioritized.”
Senator Cortez Masto commented on upgrades: “America’s veterans deserve the highest standard of care, and I’m proud to join this commonsense legislation to deliver just that. This bill will make it easier to upgrade old infrastructure and help the VA recruit the highest quality candidates. Together we can undertake real VA reforms that make a meaningful difference for our veterans.”
“As part of our commitment...this commonsense bill incorporates recommendations directly from experts and veterans across this country,” said Senator Shaheen.
The proposed law includes several changes such as improving appointment scheduling by setting specific timing requirements; increasing transparency about available providers; designating certain community providers as informed on military sexual trauma if they complete relevant training; removing low-quality or problematic providers from authorized lists; requiring data reporting from outside providers; enhancing oversight authority for community-based services; investigating dialysis practices following reports on poor performance; speeding up hiring processes; allowing higher pay incentives for hard-to-fill roles; making telework default where possible; easing psychologist hiring constraints; creating new education incentives for staff; authorizing $10 billion annually over ten years for facility improvements; enabling earlier land purchases for new sites; developing workforce strategies tied with performance data; examining budgeting practices based on industry norms; providing long-term budget clarity.
The legislation has drawn support from numerous advocacy organizations representing federal workers—including nurses’ groups—and other stakeholders involved with veteran services.
MJ Burke of AFGE National VA Council said: “AFGE appreciates Ranking Member Blumenthal’s commitment...The ‘Honor Act of 2025’ would help create a more even playing field between direct care and private care by removing bias against telehealth...ensuring police receive pensions...expand reimbursement for continuing professional education...We look forward working with Sen. Blumenthal…”
Naveed Shah from Common Defense called it "the strongest...VA reform bill we’ve seen in years," saying it delivers "faster appointments," "real transparency," "tougher standards," "life changing investments"—and improves hiring so there are enough doctors.
Dr. Russell Lemle with Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute noted: “The Honor Act…fulfills unmet aspirations…by providing transparent access…expands telehealth options…assures consistent quality standards…and broadens OIG's authority."
Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO at American Psychological Association remarked: "This bill takes meaningful steps strengthen...recruitment [of] psychologists…as more than half VHA facilities report severe shortages…the Honor Act also creates transparency..."
Catherine Giasson from Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs highlighted alignment with legislative priorities such as mandated training/transparency within networks plus educational assistance/funding/pay increases/mentorship programs.
Kayla Williams at VoteVets described it as "a strong...investment" modernizing infrastructure while reinforcing direct-care services/retention/accountability.
Ash Carothers at Modern Military Association stressed consistency across settings: "By holding community providers [to] same requirements…and ensuring those who fail…are removed…this closes dangerous gaps."
Todd Pickard at American Academy Physician Associates pointed out modernization steps like removing collaboration requirements/opening jobs/supporting continuing education—increasing PA utilization/access.
Christopher Lorenc at VAPAA noted provisions would help rural areas address provider shortages through better PA hiring/education parity.
Leslie Frane at SEIU cited improved working conditions/accountability especially regarding dialysis companies contracting with VA.
Randy Erwin at NFFE-IAM said he was encouraged by potential advances for healthcare workers/administrative staff/police officers—all essential maintaining safe/high-quality environment.
