H.R. 5203 - To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes.

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Lifecycle of the Bill

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Dec 19, 2025

Subcommittee on Health Discharged

Mar 18, 2026

Committee Hearings Held

Mar 18, 2026

HearingHouseHearing4 witnesses

Mar 18, 2026 · 10:15

H.R: 6733, the “VISN Reform Act of 2025”; H.R.6580, the “VA National Formulary Act of 2025”; H.R.6755, the “Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.6599, the “Leasing and Infrastructure Act of 2025”; H.R.6583, the “Research Reform Act of 2025”; H.R. 6549, the “VA Contracting and Procurement Act”; H.R.6740, the “VA TRUST Act”; H.R. 6764, the “Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Oversight Act of 2025”; H.R. 6904, the “Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act of 2025”; H.R. 6843, the “Establishing the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act of 2025”; H.R. 6861, the “Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act”; H.R. 6833, the “Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025”; H.R.2303, the “Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act”; H.R.210, the “Dental Care for Veterans Act”; H.R.3183, the “SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.5203, “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes”; H.R.4114, the “EVEST Act”; H.R.3869, the “Every Veteran Housed Act”; H.R.1732, the “GUARD VA Benefits Act”; H.R.2722, the “VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act”; H.R.1391, the “Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act of 2025”; H.R.4876, the “Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act”; Discussion Draft, the “Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Toxic Exposure Advisory Committee Establishment Act”; Discussion Draft, “To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Advisory Committee on Toxic Exposure of the Department of Veterans Affair”; Discussion Draft: the “Honor Vets Act”; Discussion Draft, “To provide for the modernization of the electronic health record system and other health information technology activities and systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes

Committee

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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Summary

On March 18, 2026, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a comprehensive legislative hearing on more than 20 bills designed to reauthorize and reform Department of Veterans Affairs programs. The bills addressed diverse veteran needs including dental care expansion, housing assistance, employment services, mental health support, and administrative reforms. Committee Chairman Mike Bost sought to establish a "must-pass" annual authorization process for the VA similar to the National Defense Authorization Act, citing that Congress had allowed 18 authorization laws for the VA to expire, with over $122 billion in department expenditures lacking current authorization. VA officials including Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health Dr. Thomas O'Toole, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits Margarita Devlin, and Chief Acquisition Officer Phil Christy testified on behalf of the department. While VA officials expressed support for congressional oversight and the intent behind many proposals, they raised concerns about implementation, resource requirements, and maintaining operational flexibility. The VA cautioned that comprehensive legislation could disrupt benefits and services, preferring alternative oversight mechanisms. Key themes emerged around accountability and responsiveness. Members from both parties expressed frustration with the VA's responsiveness to congressional inquiries and oversight requests. Proposed reforms included centralized acquisition authority, stronger oversight mechanisms, standardized processes, and expanded access to care. The hearing also highlighted specific challenges including attorney retention at the Board of Veterans' Appeals, care gaps for justice-involved veterans, and fragmented transition services for separating service members. The hearing did not result in immediate legislative action. While the committee advanced discussion of these reform proposals, a hearing alone does not guarantee that any bills will advance to a vote or become law.

Video

Witnesses(4)

Name	Position	Organization
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Phil ChristyOffice of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Chief Acquisition Officer	Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Margarita DevlinVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Under Secretary for Benefits	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Dec 19, 2025

Subcommittee on Health Discharged

Mar 18, 2026

Committee Hearings Held

Mar 18, 2026

HearingHouseHearing4 witnesses

Mar 18, 2026 · 10:15

H.R: 6733, the “VISN Reform Act of 2025”; H.R.6580, the “VA National Formulary Act of 2025”; H.R.6755, the “Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.6599, the “Leasing and Infrastructure Act of 2025”; H.R.6583, the “Research Reform Act of 2025”; H.R. 6549, the “VA Contracting and Procurement Act”; H.R.6740, the “VA TRUST Act”; H.R. 6764, the “Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Oversight Act of 2025”; H.R. 6904, the “Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act of 2025”; H.R. 6843, the “Establishing the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act of 2025”; H.R. 6861, the “Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act”; H.R. 6833, the “Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025”; H.R.2303, the “Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act”; H.R.210, the “Dental Care for Veterans Act”; H.R.3183, the “SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.5203, “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes”; H.R.4114, the “EVEST Act”; H.R.3869, the “Every Veteran Housed Act”; H.R.1732, the “GUARD VA Benefits Act”; H.R.2722, the “VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act”; H.R.1391, the “Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act of 2025”; H.R.4876, the “Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act”; Discussion Draft, the “Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Toxic Exposure Advisory Committee Establishment Act”; Discussion Draft, “To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Advisory Committee on Toxic Exposure of the Department of Veterans Affair”; Discussion Draft: the “Honor Vets Act”; Discussion Draft, “To provide for the modernization of the electronic health record system and other health information technology activities and systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes

Committee

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

View full hearing

Summary

Video

Witnesses(4)

Name	Position	Organization
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Phil ChristyOffice of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Chief Acquisition Officer	Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Margarita DevlinVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Under Secretary for Benefits	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Dec 19, 2025

Subcommittee on Health Discharged

Mar 18, 2026

Committee Hearings Held

Mar 18, 2026

HearingHouseHearing4 witnesses

Mar 18, 2026 · 10:15

H.R: 6733, the “VISN Reform Act of 2025”; H.R.6580, the “VA National Formulary Act of 2025”; H.R.6755, the “Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.6599, the “Leasing and Infrastructure Act of 2025”; H.R.6583, the “Research Reform Act of 2025”; H.R. 6549, the “VA Contracting and Procurement Act”; H.R.6740, the “VA TRUST Act”; H.R. 6764, the “Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Oversight Act of 2025”; H.R. 6904, the “Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act of 2025”; H.R. 6843, the “Establishing the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act of 2025”; H.R. 6861, the “Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act”; H.R. 6833, the “Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025”; H.R.2303, the “Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act”; H.R.210, the “Dental Care for Veterans Act”; H.R.3183, the “SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.5203, “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes”; H.R.4114, the “EVEST Act”; H.R.3869, the “Every Veteran Housed Act”; H.R.1732, the “GUARD VA Benefits Act”; H.R.2722, the “VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act”; H.R.1391, the “Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act of 2025”; H.R.4876, the “Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act”; Discussion Draft, the “Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Toxic Exposure Advisory Committee Establishment Act”; Discussion Draft, “To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Advisory Committee on Toxic Exposure of the Department of Veterans Affair”; Discussion Draft: the “Honor Vets Act”; Discussion Draft, “To provide for the modernization of the electronic health record system and other health information technology activities and systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes

Committee

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

View full hearing

Summary

Video

Witnesses(4)

Name	Position	Organization
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Phil ChristyOffice of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Chief Acquisition Officer	Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Margarita DevlinVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Under Secretary for Benefits	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Dec 19, 2025

Subcommittee on Health Discharged

Mar 18, 2026

Committee Hearings Held

Mar 18, 2026

HearingHouseHearing4 witnesses

Mar 18, 2026 · 10:15

H.R: 6733, the “VISN Reform Act of 2025”; H.R.6580, the “VA National Formulary Act of 2025”; H.R.6755, the “Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.6599, the “Leasing and Infrastructure Act of 2025”; H.R.6583, the “Research Reform Act of 2025”; H.R. 6549, the “VA Contracting and Procurement Act”; H.R.6740, the “VA TRUST Act”; H.R. 6764, the “Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee Oversight Act of 2025”; H.R. 6904, the “Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement and Accountability Act of 2025”; H.R. 6843, the “Establishing the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act of 2025”; H.R. 6861, the “Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act”; H.R. 6833, the “Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025”; H.R.2303, the “Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act”; H.R.210, the “Dental Care for Veterans Act”; H.R.3183, the “SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025”; H.R.5203, “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes”; H.R.4114, the “EVEST Act”; H.R.3869, the “Every Veteran Housed Act”; H.R.1732, the “GUARD VA Benefits Act”; H.R.2722, the “VA Funding and Workforce Protection Act”; H.R.1391, the “Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act of 2025”; H.R.4876, the “Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act”; Discussion Draft, the “Get Justice-Involved Veterans BACK HOME Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Toxic Exposure Advisory Committee Establishment Act”; Discussion Draft, “To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Advisory Committee on Toxic Exposure of the Department of Veterans Affair”; Discussion Draft: the “Honor Vets Act”; Discussion Draft, “To provide for the modernization of the electronic health record system and other health information technology activities and systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes

Committee

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

View full hearing

Summary

Video

Witnesses(4)

Name	Position	Organization
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dr. Thomas O'TooleVeterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services	Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Phil ChristyOffice of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Chief Acquisition Officer	Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Margarita DevlinVeterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Acting Under Secretary for Benefits	Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to update directives of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the management of acute sexual assault, and for other purposes.

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House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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