Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2201
Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

ID: K000397

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

May 20, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another exercise in legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act (HR 2201) claims to address the pressing issue of military sexual trauma by improving training for VA employees who process related claims. How noble. In reality, this bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, designed to placate voters and appease special interest groups.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**

* Annual sensitivity training for VA employees handling MST claims (because, apparently, they're not already trained to handle sensitive topics). * Expansion of the duty to assist in obtaining records for compensation claims (a.k.a. more bureaucratic red tape). * A report on sensitivity training for contracted health care professionals (because who doesn't love a good report?).

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**

* VA employees, who will now have to endure annual sensitivity training (yawn). * Veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma, who might – just might – receive slightly better treatment from the VA (but don't hold your breath). * Lobbyists and special interest groups, who will use this bill as a PR stunt to pretend they care about veterans' issues.

**Potential Impact & Implications:**

This bill is a classic case of "legislative lip service." It addresses symptoms rather than the underlying disease: a broken VA system that consistently fails to support its most vulnerable constituents. The real impact will be minimal, as the VA's bureaucratic machinery will continue to churn out excuses and delays.

Meanwhile, politicians will tout this bill as a victory for veterans, while behind closed doors, they'll be negotiating with lobbyists to ensure their re-election campaigns are well-funded. It's a cynical game of "look, we care!" – but only if it doesn't cost too much or require actual effort.

In medical terms, this bill is akin to prescribing aspirin for a terminal illness. It might mask the symptoms temporarily, but the underlying disease will continue to ravage the system. The real diagnosis? A severe case of " Politician-itis": a chronic condition characterized by an inability to address complex problems, a penchant for grandstanding, and a complete disregard for the well-being of those they claim to serve.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than waste my time on this legislative placebo.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$61,269
25 donors
PACs
$1,000
Organizations
$60,269
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0
1
CHICKASAW NATION
1 transaction
$1,000
1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
JAMESTOWN S'KLALLAM TRIBE
2 transactions
$6,600
3
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
1 transaction
$3,300
4
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
1 transaction
$3,300
5
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
1 transaction
$3,300
6
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
7
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$3,300
8
SNOQUALMIE TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
1 transaction
$3,300
10
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
11
NISQUALLY INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
12
AT&T INC & ITS AFFLIATES
1 transaction
$3,000
13
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$3,000
14
ABBVIE PAC - FEDERAL PAC
1 transaction
$2,500
15
ISE-SHIMA
1 transaction
$1,760
16
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,500
17
META
1 transaction
$1,200
18
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
19
PIONEER PHARMACY
2 transactions
$1,000
20
MITCHELL PUBLISHING
1 transaction
$689
21
GOOGLE
1 transaction
$500
22
JACKSON FAMILY TRUST
1 transaction
$500
23
LAW OFFICES OF PETER CHEN
1 transaction
$500
24
COSTCO
1 transaction
$220

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 5 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]

ID: B001315

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 13, 2023
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Apr 30, 2024
3
LABORERS LOCAL 397 PAC
Organization EDWARDSVILLE, IL
$500
Jul 22, 2024
4
PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 553
Organization EAST ALTON, IL
$500
Jul 26, 2024
5
LABORERS LOCAL 397 PAC
Organization EDWARDSVILLE, IL
$500
Oct 8, 2024
6
PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 553
Organization EAST ALTON, IL
$500
Oct 8, 2024
7
FISHER, CYNTHIA
PATIENTRIGHTSADVOCATE.ORG CHAIRMAN
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
8
MURPHY, JAMES
INVENERGY LLC PRESIDENT
Individual BARRINGTON, IL
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
9
NELSON, REED C.
NELSON AND NELSON ATTORNEY
Individual COLLINSVILLE, IL
$3,300
Oct 9, 2024
10
NI, PIN
WANXIANG AMERICA CORPORATION PRESIDENT
Individual SOUTH BARRINGTON, IL
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

ID: B001298

Top Contributors

10

1
ONEIDA NATION
Organization ONEIDA, WI
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
3
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
Mar 28, 2023
4
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Jun 27, 2023
5
ONEIDA NATION
Organization ONEIDA, WI
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization SANTA YNEZ, CA
$2,000
Jun 27, 2023
7
REPUBLICAN MAIN STREET PARTNERSHIP
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jul 11, 2024
8
CARSON, RUSSELL S.
THE CARSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST PHILANTHROPY
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Apr 24, 2024
9
FRANK, JIM
2FILLC EXEC
Individual WINNETKA, IL
$6,600
Apr 23, 2024
10
DANIELS, BRANDON
EXIGER CEO
Individual RICHMOND, VA
$6,600
Apr 21, 2024

Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

ID: H001085

Top Contributors

10

1
PRICE, BONNIE
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual SPRING VALLEY, CA
$1,560
Jan 28, 2024
2
BACHMANN, GLORIA
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MURRIETA, CA
$1,000
Aug 2, 2023
3
BACHMANN, GLORIA
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MURRIETA, CA
$1,000
Aug 7, 2023
4
ASHCRAFT, STEVEN
ALBERTSONS RETAIL CLERK
Individual SAN DIEGO, CA
$500
Feb 17, 2024
5
BACHMANN, GLORIA
N/A NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MURRIETA, CA
$500
Jun 20, 2024
6
SHEHATA, EHAB
VA PHYSICIAN
Individual SAN DIEGO, CA
$500
May 2, 2023
7
NEWHARD, ELEANOR MARIE
N/A RETIRED
Individual MURRIETA, CA
$500
Aug 12, 2023
8
WILSON, LINDA
N/A RETIRED
Individual FALLBROOK, CA
$500
Aug 26, 2023
9
OGAN, ROBY
THE OGAN TRUST INVESTOR
Individual POWAY, CA
$500
Sep 17, 2024
10
SCHNEIDER, DEBORAH
N/A RETIRED
Individual POWAY, CA
$500
Aug 26, 2024

Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

ID: R000600

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

ID: V000138

Top Contributors

10

1
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
Organization LADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 29, 2024
2
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
Organization LADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 31, 2024
3
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
Apr 20, 2024
4
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
Individual COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
May 5, 2024
5
VON STEIN, THOMSON
Individual ROCKVILLE, MD
$3,500
Aug 7, 2024
6
HULL, MEGAN
SELF ACTIVIST
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
7
KAISER, GEORGE
GBK CORPORATION EXECUTIVE
Individual TULSA, OK
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
8
PARSONS, KATHLEEN
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual POTOMAC, MD
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
9
STAPLE, HARISE
SELF MD
Individual LOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
HOLMES, LAURA
SELF REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 38 nodes and 42 connections

Total contributions: $83,529

Top Donors - Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

1 PAC24 Orgs