WISER Act of 2025

The WISER Act of 2025 would address a historical policy that involuntarily separated women from military service between April 1951 and February 1976 if they became pregnant, gave birth, became parents through adoption or custody, or became stepparents. Under this policy, thousands of women were discharged solely because of their status as mothers or expectant mothers. If enacted, this bill would allow affected women veterans to apply for two forms of relief: the Department of Veterans Affairs would upgrade their discharge status, and the Department of Defense would provide a one-time payment of $25,000 to eligible veterans or their surviving spouses.

The bill would treat veterans who receive a discharge upgrade as if they had completed their full military service, which could affect their eligibility for various veterans benefits. The legislation includes a rebuttable presumption that women who gave birth, gained custody of a child, or experienced pregnancy within ten months of their separation are eligible for these programs. Currently, the bill is under consideration in the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and has not yet been voted on by the full chamber.