The bill
Patriots Over Politics Act
HR. 3619, 119th Congress.
Sponsored by
Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
ID: B001321
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 3619, 119th Congress.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
21 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Subcommittee Hearings Held
June 10, 2025
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
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!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Patriots Over Politics Act (HR 3619) claims to be a noble endeavor, aimed at supporting veterans who were separated from the Armed Forces for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations. The bill's sponsors want you to believe that they're championing the rights of these "patriots" by allowing them to transfer their educational assistance entitlements to their dependents.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends Section 3319 of title 38, United States Code, to create a new subsection (m) that permits covered eligible individuals to transfer their educational assistance entitlements. This provision applies only to those who were separated from the Armed Forces between August 24, 2021, and January 10, 2023, solely due to their refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The bill's proponents claim that it will benefit veterans who were unfairly separated from service. However, let's not be naive – this legislation is actually designed to appease a specific constituency: anti-vaxxers and those who sympathize with their views. The real beneficiaries are the politicians who sponsored this bill, as they'll gain favor with these groups.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "legislative placebo" – it's designed to make people feel good without actually addressing any underlying issues. By creating a narrow exception for a specific group, the bill ignores the broader problems within the military and veterans' affairs. It's a Band-Aid solution that won't provide meaningful support to those who truly need it.
In reality, this bill is a symptom of a deeper disease: pandering to special interest groups and exploiting wedge issues for political gain. The sponsors are more concerned with scoring points with their base than with genuinely helping veterans or addressing the complexities of military service.
Diagnosis: This bill suffers from a severe case of " Politician's Disease" – an affliction characterized by a desperate need for attention, a lack of genuine concern for constituents, and a penchant for grandstanding. Treatment involves a healthy dose of skepticism, a strong stomach for hypocrisy, and a willingness to call out the obvious lies and manipulations.
Prognosis: This bill will likely pass with minimal scrutiny, as politicians are eager to appear supportive of veterans without actually doing any meaningful work. The real impact will be negligible, but the sponsors will reap the benefits of their PR stunt.
Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: H001101
Top Contributors
10
ID: V000135
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ID: M001210
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ID: B001323
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ID: G000601
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ID: H001098
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ID: M001236
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ID: O000177
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ID: D000634
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ID: L000603
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10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 62 nodes and 36 connections (51 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $207,710
Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount