Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act
The Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act makes a narrow organizational change within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It amends title 38 U.S.C. Section 321(a) to move the Office of Survivors Assistance from being described as part of “the Department” to being described as part of “the Office of the Secretary.” In practical terms, this elevates the office within the VA’s organizational structure by tying it more directly to the Secretary’s office rather than to the broader department. The bill is titled to emphasize prioritizing veterans’ survivors, but the text itself does not alter programs, benefits, or funding—only where the survivor-support office sits in the hierarchy. The bill’s status shows it passed the House and was sent to the Senate (referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs). It is currently under consideration in the Senate.
Key Points
- 1The bill changes the statutory placement of the Office of Survivors Assistance from “in the Department” to “in the Office of the Secretary,” clarifying its position within the VA’s leadership structure.
- 2The amendment is limited to organizational placement; it does not create new programs, authorize new benefits, or provide new funding.
- 3The change signals a potential shift toward closer reporting and oversight to the VA Secretary, which could affect prioritization and coordination of survivor-related matters.
- 4The short title is the “Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act.”
- 5Legislative status in this document: introduced in the 119th Congress, passed the House, and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.