H.R. 6036

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6036 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6036

To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female 
cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 12, 2025

Mr. Issa (for himself, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mr. Crow, and Ms. Houlahan) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed 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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To ensure that certain members of the Armed Forces who served in female 
cultural support teams receive proper credit for such service.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CREDIT FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO SERVED IN 
FEMALE CULTURAL SUPPORT TEAMS.

(a) Military Service: Records; Calculation of Retired Pay.--Not 
later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary concerned shall ensure that the performance of covered 
service is included in--
(1) the military service record of each individual who 
performed covered service; and
(2) the computation of retired pay for each individual who 
performed covered service.
(b) Claims for Veterans Benefits Arising From Covered Service.--
(1) Determination of service connection.--Upon the filing 
of a claim by an individual for service-connected disability or 
death incurred or aggravated in the course of covered service, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine whether such 
disability or death was service-connected.
(2) Treatment of covered service.--In the consideration of 
a claim under this subsection, the Secretary shall treat 
covered service as engagement in combat with the enemy in the 
course of active military, naval, air, or space service.
(3) Effective date of award.--Except as provided by 
subparagraph (B), the effective date of an award under this 
subsection shall be determined in accordance with section 5110 
of title 38, United States Code.
(4) Processing of claims.--The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall 
improve training and guidance for employees who may process a 
claim under this subsection.
(5) Outreach.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach to 
inform individuals who performed covered service (and survivors 
of such individuals) that they may submit supplemental claims 
for service-connected disability or death incurred or 
aggravated in the course of covered service. Such outreach 
shall include the following:
(A) The Secretary shall publish on the internet 
website of the Department a notice that such 
individuals may elect to file a supplemental claim.
(B) The Secretary shall notify, in writing or by 
electronic means, veterans service organizations of the 
ability of such individuals to file a supplemental 
claim.
(c) Study and Report on Certain Members of the Armed Forces.--
(1) Study.--The Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall conduct a study to 
identify the size and number of groups of individuals who--
(A) performed service as a member of the Armed 
Forces that the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs determine is substantially similar to 
covered service; and
(B) have a military service record that does not 
include such service as a member of the Armed Forces.
(2) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report 
that includes the findings of the study under paragraph (1).
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered service'' means service--
(A) as a member of the Armed Forces;
(B) in a female cultural support team;
(C) with the personnel development skill identifier 
of R2J or 5DK; and
(D) during the period beginning on January 1, 2010, 
and ending on August 31, 2021.
(2) The terms ``active military, naval, air, or space 
service'' and ``service-connected'' have the meanings given 
such terms in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(3) The term ``Secretary concerned'' has the meaning given 
such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.

SEC. 2. REPORT ON CERTAIN CLAIMS FOR SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

(a) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit 
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report regarding covered claims. Such report shall 
include the numbers of covered claims, disaggregated by gender of the 
claimant and whether the military service record of the claimant 
includes a combat identifier, that, respectively--
(1) were submitted;
(2) were granted;
(3) were denied;
(4) were unresolved; or
(5) were appealed.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered claim'' means a claim--
(A) for service-connected disability;
(B) on the basis of post-traumatic stress disorder 
or traumatic brain injury; and
(C) submitted to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
on or after January 1, 1990.
(2) The term ``service-connected'' has the meaning given 
such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.

The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``November 15, 2031'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``December 3, 2031''.
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