PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.5332 / 108th Congress

Matthew Boisvert Help Extend Respect Owed to Every Soldier (HEROES) Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 8, 2004

Matthew Boisvert Help Extend Respect Owed to Every Soldier (HEROES) Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to allow certain military and veterans' service organizations access to veterans being furnished hospital care and medical services, subject to the consent of such veterans, for the purpose of providing information and counseling to such veterans.

Authorizes payment or reimbursement up to $250 for civilian clothing and personal care products for members of the Armed Forces (members) who are evacuated for medical treatment.

Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish minimum uniform standards for postdeployment medical examinations. Requires that such examinations include screening for mental health disorders.

Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.

Read full official summaryShow less

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) provide veterans who live more than 50 miles from a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) medical facility with vouchers for psychiatric services at private facilities; (2) establish and maintain a health status registry for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduing Freedom. Rescinds a DVA Memorandum dated July 18, 2002, entitled "Status of VHA Enrollment and Associated Issues."

Directs the Secretary of each military department to establish a support system for members who incur severe disabilities on or after September 11, 2001, to assist in the transition to civilian life. Directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program of employment training for veterans.

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to members who were seriously injured while on active duty.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Meehan, Martin T. [D-MA-5] · D–MA

Committees

  • Financial Services Committee
  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
  • Armed Services Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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

    1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.

    2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

    4. Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Financial 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.

    5. Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Financial 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.

    6. Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Financial 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.

    7. Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and Financial 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.

    8. Introduced in House

    9. Introduced in House

    Bill text & related measures

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

    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 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze H.R.5332 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
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine H.R.5332 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
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine H.R.5332 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
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine H.R.5332 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