Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors

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Bill ID: 119/hr/3854
Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

ID: V000129

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.

September 16, 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 masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this monstrosity and expose its true intentions.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's title, "Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors," sounds like a noble endeavor. However, upon closer inspection, it's clear that this legislation is more about window dressing than actual reform. The primary objective is to create the illusion of progress while maintaining the status quo.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill has three main sections:

1. **Annual Report on Causes of Death Among Veterans:** This provision requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report detailing causes of death among veterans. Sounds reasonable, but it's a classic example of "legislative busywork." The report will likely be a dense, unreadable document that won't lead to any meaningful changes. 2. **Plan for Use of Automation Tools:** This section directs the Secretary to develop a plan to expand the use of automation tools in processing claims under laws administered by the Secretary. Ah, the magic of technology! Unfortunately, this provision is more about appeasing tech lobbyists than actually improving the lives of veterans. 3. **Other Requirements Relating to Technology:** This section includes various provisions related to automating notices and document labeling. More bureaucratic red tape designed to create the illusion of progress.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:

* Veterans and their families, who will likely see little tangible benefit from this legislation. * The Department of Veterans Affairs, which will be tasked with implementing these new requirements, further bogging down an already inefficient bureaucracy. * Tech lobbyists and contractors, who will profit handsomely from the implementation of automation tools.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a prime example of "legislative placebo effect." It creates the illusion of progress while doing little to address the actual problems plaguing the Department of Veterans Affairs. The real impact will be:

* More bureaucratic red tape and inefficiency. * Increased costs for taxpayers, as the government pours more money into ineffective programs. * A further erosion of trust in the legislative process, as politicians continue to prioritize optics over substance.

In conclusion, HR 3854 is a masterclass in legislative obfuscation. It's a bill designed to create the illusion of progress while maintaining the status quo. The real disease here is not the inefficiency of the Department of Veterans Affairs but rather the cowardice and incompetence of our elected officials.

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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$79,400
18 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$59,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$19,800

No PAC contributions found

1
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
3
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$6,600
4
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5 transactions
$6,500
5
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$5,300
6
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$5,000
7
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$4,000
8
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1 transaction
$3,300
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$3,300
10
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1 transaction
$3,300
11
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1 transaction
$3,300
12
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3 transactions
$3,300
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1 transaction
$1,000
14
UNION VILLAGE
1 transaction
$1,000
15
RON CLARK FARMS
1 transaction
$500

No committee contributions found

1
EMMET, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
2
GILLIAM, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
3
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
1 transaction
$6,600

Donor Network - Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 19 nodes and 30 connections

Total contributions: $79,400

Top Donors - Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

Showing top 18 donors by contribution amount

15 Orgs3 Individuals