Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025
Summary
Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025
This bill extends increased dependency and indemnity compensation to the surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) regardless of how long the veteran had such disease prior to death. Under current law, such compensation is paid for a service-connected disability that was rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least eight years immediately preceding death.
For purposes of compensation for a surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from ALS, the spouse must have been married to the veteran for a continuous period of eight years or longer prior to the death of the veteran.
Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must report on service-connected disabilities the VA determines should be treated in the same manner as ALS for purposes of dependency and indemnity compensation.
Timeline
- Feb 3, 2026Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Mar 27, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- Feb 27, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Feb 27, 2025Introduced in House
- Feb 27, 2025Introduced in House
Cosponsors
- Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] D-NH
- Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13] D-IL
- Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2] R-NJ
- Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] D-VT
- Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7] D-CO
- Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] D-CO
- Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7] D-VA
- Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3] D-NV
- Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5] R-WA
- Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18] D-CA
- Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2] D-NM
- Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6] D-CO
- Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] D-NJ
- Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] D-CA
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19] D-CA
- Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] D-IL
- Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6] D-PA
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] D-NC
- Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41] R-CA
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] D-CA
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] D-DC
- Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19] D-NY
- Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7] R-FL
- Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38] R-TX
- Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16] R-PA
- Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10] D-IL
- Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2] D-RI
In the News
- Protecting Gold Star spouses among legislation supported by The American Legion - The American Legion
- Bills seek to improve VA benefits for 9/11 survivors, other exposures - Military Times
- Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Legislative Hearing - House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (.gov)
- Holland & Knight Health Dose: February 3, 2026 - Holland & Knight
- Our 2023 National Bike Summit Lobby Day Asks: Making the Case for Safer Streets - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
- E-BIKE Act Makes a Comeback in Congress - PeopleForBikes
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