To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representatives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a "vet center"), to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 9, 2007

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) so that there are no fewer than two representatives for each center for the provision of veterans' readjustment counseling and related mental health services (known as vet centers).

Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that representatives have a specified level of knowledge of the benefits claims process; and (2) direct additional VA resources to more hours of social worker and mental health time, more staff to keep vet centers open longer, and the provision of links to veteran job centers and training.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] · D–VT

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. McCarthy, Carolyn [D-NY-4]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 11, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
May 9, 2007
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 9, 2007
Introduced in House
May 9, 2007
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 9, 2007 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2257 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2257, 110th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representatives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a "vet center"), to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2257

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-05-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr2257/BILLS-110hr2257ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:24:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2257 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2257 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2257, 110th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representatives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a "vet center"), to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2257

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-05-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr2257/BILLS-110hr2257ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:24:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2257 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2257 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2257, 110th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representatives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a "vet center"), to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2257

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-05-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr2257/BILLS-110hr2257ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:24:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2257 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2257 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2257, 110th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of benefits claims representatives employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to ensure that there are not fewer than two such claims representatives located at each center for the provision of readjustment counseling and related mental health services established under section 1712A of title 38, United States Code (commonly referred to as a "vet center"), to help reduce the backlog of claims pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2257

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2007-05-09.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/hr2257/BILLS-110hr2257ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T16:24:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2257 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.