Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/5985
Last Updated: November 13, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

ID: T000481

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

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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 masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and uncover the real disease beneath.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act" (HR 5985) claims to address the shortage of healthcare providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs by removing numerical limitations on nonimmigrant aliens employed in these roles. How touching. The sponsors, including Ms. Tlaib and her cohorts, want us to believe they're championing veterans' health care. Please.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt certain nonimmigrant aliens working at the VA from numerical limitations on visas. It also creates a new category of exempt workers, including those employed by State homes recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Oh, and it conveniently overrides any Presidential proclamations or executive orders that might restrict these nonimmigrants' entry into the United States.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The VA, veterans, and (surprise!) big healthcare corporations stand to benefit from this bill. The latter will likely hire more cheap foreign labor, while the VA gets to claim it's addressing its staffing shortages. Meanwhile, American workers in the healthcare sector might want to start polishing their rΓ©sumΓ©s.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a symptom of a deeper disease – the chronic inability of our politicians to address real problems. Instead of investing in domestic workforce development or improving working conditions for VA employees, they're opting for a quick fix that benefits corporate interests and perpetuates the exploitation of foreign workers.

The "Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act" is nothing more than a cynical ploy to appease voters while serving the interests of powerful lobbies. It's a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, designed to distract from the systemic issues plaguing our healthcare system.

In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative sleight-of-hand. Behind the faΓ§ade of "helping veterans," it's just another example of our politicians' boundless creativity in serving special interests while ignoring the needs of their constituents. Bravo, Congress. You've managed to make a mockery of the legislative process once again.

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