Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025
Floor Speech
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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3481) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for electronic communication relating to educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3481
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT TO CERTAIN OUTREACH UNDER SOLID START PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 6320(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
(A) by striking ``calling'' and inserting ``communicating with''; and
(B) by inserting ``through the use of tailored lines of communication, including mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging'' after ``Armed Forces''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``tailored mailings'' and inserting ``tailored lines of communication, including mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging,''. SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS USE OF TAILORED LINES OF COMMUNICATION FOR CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.
Section 3680 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i)(1) The Secretary shall provide a mechanism by which an eligible veteran or eligible person may use tailored lines of communication to send and receive correspondence with the Department of Veterans related to entitlement to and use of educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary. The Secretary shall ensure that an eligible veteran or eligible person is provided with an opportunity to opt into sending and receiving such correspondence using such lines of communication rather than by mail.
``(2) The Secretary shall provide to eligible veterans and eligible persons who are enrolled in a course or program of education or training notice of the opportunity to opt in to sending and receiving correspondence using tailored lines of communication pursuant to paragraph (1).
``(3) In this subsection, the term `tailored lines of communication' includes mailings, text messaging, virtual chatting, and other electronic forms of messaging.''. SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``January 31, 2033''.
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Mr. BOST. 3481, as amended.
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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3481, as amended, offered by my friend and colleague, Representative Tom Barrett from Michigan.
This bill would allow veterans to opt in to receive messages digitally regarding the GI Bill education benefit.
Under current law, veterans in education programs can only receive time-sensitive information from VA through the mail. The outdated practice forces veterans to wait weeks for information they could receive in minutes through a text message.
Further, this bill would modernize VA's Solid Start program by authorizing it to communicate with veterans via text message. Right now, VA is only able to reach out to veterans in Solid Start by calling them. While the older generation of veterans pick up the phone, the VA Solid Start program has seen a concerning drop-off among younger veterans. This bill would bridge the gap in communication.
Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Barrett for championing this bill and for finding solutions in the technology space to ensure student veterans and transitioning servicemembers are receiving up-to- date and timely information.
Madam Speaker, this bill is in lockstep with the Republican majority's efforts to properly propel VA to meet veterans where they are.
Madam Speaker, I also thank Representative Van Orden for his continued efforts to make necessary improvements to the Transition Assistance Program, or the TAP program.
Under my leadership, my committee will continue to honor its commitment to all veterans, ensuring the VA is working for our veterans.
Madam Speaker, I also give special thanks to The American Legion, the PVA, and the VFW for their support.
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R.
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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barrett), who is the sponsor of this bill.
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Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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