H.R.2985: Veteran's I.D. Card Act

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 21, 2011

Veteran's I.D. Card Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a veteran's identification card to any veteran who requests such card and is neither entitled to military retired pay nor enrolled in the VA system of patient enrollment. Requires such card, among other things, to: (1) display their name and photograph, and (2) serve as proof that the veteran honorably served in the Armed Forces and has a DD-214 form or other official document in their personnel file that describes their military service. Directs the Secretary to charge a card fee. States that such card shall not serve as proof of entitlement to any benefits.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2] · R–MO

Committees

Veterans' Affairs Committee

77 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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

Jun 20, 2012
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 3, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Sep 21, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sep 21, 2011
Introduced in House
Sep 21, 2011
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 · Sep 21, 2011 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: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2985 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.

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Discuss H.R.2985, 112th Congress: Veteran's I.D. Card Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2985

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2985/BILLS-112hr2985ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:23:03Z. 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.2985 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.2985 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.2985, 112th Congress: Veteran's I.D. Card Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2985

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2985/BILLS-112hr2985ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:23:03Z. 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.2985 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.2985 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.2985, 112th Congress: Veteran's I.D. Card Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2985

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2985/BILLS-112hr2985ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:23:03Z. 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.2985 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.2985 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.2985, 112th Congress: Veteran's I.D. Card Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2985

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2011-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr2985/BILLS-112hr2985ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:23:03Z. 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.2985 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.