Presumptive CLARITY Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/s/3098
Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

ID: B001277

Follow the money

The bill

Presumptive CLARITY Act of 2025

S. 3098, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$54,100 raised

20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Veterans Affairs" section, p. 688-691 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

April 28, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

✅

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

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 esteemed Senator Blumenthal. The Presumptive CLARITY Act of 2025 - because what's more transparent than a bill with a title that screams "I'm trying to sound smart"?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Ah, yes, the noble goal of this bill: to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish information about conditions and cohorts being considered for presumptions of service connection regarding toxic exposure. How quaint. It's like they think we're all just a bunch of naive simpletons who will swallow this whole "transparency" nonsense hook, line, and sinker.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends title 38, United States Code, by adding a new section (1105) that mandates the Secretary to establish and maintain a publicly accessible website listing conditions and cohorts being considered for presumptions of service connection. Oh, wow. A website. How revolutionary. And, of course, it includes all the usual bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo about publication requirements, contents, and clerical amendments. Because what's a bill without a healthy dose of obfuscation?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Veterans, veterans' organizations, and the Department of Veterans Affairs - all of whom will be thrilled to know that their tax dollars are being spent on creating yet another website that will likely be as useful as a chocolate teapot. And let's not forget the lobbyists and special interest groups who will no doubt be salivating at the prospect of influencing this "transparent" process.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The real impact of this bill? A whole lot of nothing. It's a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, a token gesture to placate the masses while the real issues remain unaddressed. The VA will continue to drag its feet, and veterans will still be left fighting for the benefits they deserve. But hey, at least we'll have a shiny new website to look at. And who knows, maybe it'll even have a fancy search function.

In conclusion, the Presumptive CLARITY Act of 2025 is a perfect example of legislative lip service - all flash, no substance. It's a cynical attempt to appease the masses while maintaining the status quo. So, to all the politicians and bureaucrats involved in this farce, I say: congratulations on managing to make a bill about transparency so opaque. You must be proud. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this train wreck unfold.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$54,100
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$54,100

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
ALIX, JAY
2 transactions
$6,600
2
ROURE, RITA
2 transactions
$6,600
3
CHAVEZ, TOM
2 transactions
$6,600
4
OLSON, LYNDON
1 transaction
$3,300
5
KIM, CHRISTINE M.
1 transaction
$3,300
6
JONES, JERRY C.
1 transaction
$3,300
7
NESSEL, ARIEL
1 transaction
$3,300
8
VAIDYA, VIVEK
1 transaction
$3,300
9
MOREAU, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,000
10
ALHADI, AYAD
1 transaction
$2,900
11
SIMONS, NAT
1 transaction
$2,900
12
NEFF, THOMAS M.
1 transaction
$2,500
13
ERICKSON, MARKHAM
1 transaction
$2,500
14
COMER, JAMES P.
2 transactions
$2,000
15
HALL, RICHARD
1 transaction
$1,000
16
OPENSHAW, JENNIFER
1 transaction
$1,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

ID: H001046

Top Contributors

10

1
JSTREETPAC
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Apr 19, 2024
2
SAN PABLO LYTTON TRIBE
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$21,600
Oct 5, 2023
3
PUEBLO OF LAGUNA
OrganizationLAGUNA, NM
$5,800
Sep 30, 2024
4
PUEBLO OF SAN ILDEFONSO
OrganizationSANTA FE, NM
$5,000
Oct 30, 2024
5
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$5,000
Oct 23, 2024
6
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$5,000
Dec 5, 2023
7
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$5,000
Oct 15, 2024
8
SAN PABLO LYTTON TRIBE
OrganizationSAN PABLO, CA
$3,962
May 10, 2024
9
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
10
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

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Showing 42 nodes and 23 connections (45 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $82,500

Top Donors - Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

16 Individuals

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Strong
Vector: 66%
Pages: 688-691AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill's mandate for the VA to publicly disclose information about presumption decisions directly supports Project 2025's emphasis on increasing transparency and accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs."

Key themes:transparencyveterans benefitstoxic exposurepublic engagementVA accountability

— 655 — Department of Veterans Affairs ENDNOTES 1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Division, VHA Directive 1003, “VHA Veteran Patient Experience,” April 14, 2020, pp. 1 and B-1. 2. S. 2372, VA Mission Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-182, 115th Congress, June 6, 2018, https://www.congress. gov/115/plaws/publ182/PLAW-115publ182.pdf (accessed January 30, 2023). 3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA History Office, “VA History,” last updated May 27, 2021, https://www. va.gov/HISTORY/VA_History/Overview.asp (accessed January 28, 2023). 4. 38 U.S. Code § 1116, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1116 (accessed January 28, 2023). 5. S. 3373, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022), Public Law No. 117-168, 117th Congress, August 10, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ168/PLAW-117publ168.pdf (accessed January 28, 2023). 6. H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law No. 117-103, 117th Congress, March 15, 2022, Division S, Title I, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ103/PLAW-117publ103.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). Known variously as the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act and the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act. 7. See note 5, supra.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Strong
Vector: 62%
Pages: 688-691AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The Presumptive CLARITY Act of 2025 aligns with Project 2025's focus on improving VA accountability and transparency, particularly in the context of toxic exposure and veterans' healthcare. By mandating public disclosure of presumption-setting processes, the bill supports greater oversight and veteran engagement—goals consistent with Project 2025's emphasis on reforming VA operations to better serve veterans."

Key themes:VA transparencytoxic exposureveterans' healthcarepublic accountabilityservice connection process

— 655 — Department of Veterans Affairs ENDNOTES 1. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Division, VHA Directive 1003, “VHA Veteran Patient Experience,” April 14, 2020, pp. 1 and B-1. 2. S. 2372, VA Mission Act of 2018, Public Law No. 115-182, 115th Congress, June 6, 2018, https://www.congress. gov/115/plaws/publ182/PLAW-115publ182.pdf (accessed January 30, 2023). 3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA History Office, “VA History,” last updated May 27, 2021, https://www. va.gov/HISTORY/VA_History/Overview.asp (accessed January 28, 2023). 4. 38 U.S. Code § 1116, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/1116 (accessed January 28, 2023). 5. S. 3373, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022), Public Law No. 117-168, 117th Congress, August 10, 2022, https://www. congress.gov/117/plaws/publ168/PLAW-117publ168.pdf (accessed January 28, 2023). 6. H.R. 2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Public Law No. 117-103, 117th Congress, March 15, 2022, Division S, Title I, https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ103/PLAW-117publ103.pdf (accessed March 18, 2023). Known variously as the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act and the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act. 7. See note 5, supra. — 657 — Section Four THE ECONOMY The next Administration must prioritize the economic prosperity of ordi- nary Americans. For several decades, establishment “elites” have failed the citizenry by refusing to secure the border, outsourcing manufacturing to China and elsewhere, spending recklessly, regulating constantly, and generally controlling the country from the top down rather than letting it flourish from the bottom up. The proper role of government, as was articulated nearly 250 years ago, is to secure our God-given, unalienable rights in order that we might enjoy the pursuit of happiness, the benefits of free enterprise, and the blessings of liberty. Finding the right approach to trade policy is key to the fortunes of everyday Americans. In Chapter 26, president of the Competitive Enterprise Institute Kent Lassman and former White House director of trade and manufacturing policy Peter Navarro debate what an effective conservative trade policy would look like. Lass- man argues that the best trade policy is a humble, limited-government approach that would encourage free trade with all nations. He maintains that aggressive trade policies involve an increased government role that future leftist Administra- tions will utilize to push “climate change” and “equity”-based activism. Focusing more on gross domestic product (GDP) growth than on median income, he writes that “people mistakenly believe that U.S. manufacturing and the U.S. economy are in decline” when in truth “American manufacturing output is currently at an all-time high.” Meanwhile, we continue to experience “record-setting real GDP” despite our “long-run decline in manufacturing employment.” Lassman does not think that an aggressive U.S. trade policy would lead to more manufacturing jobs. Rather, he writes, “Federal Reserve research shows” that the

Department of Veterans Affairs

Moderate
Vector: 63%
Pages: 679-681AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill's focus on transparency in VA decision-making regarding toxic exposure presumptions aligns with Project 2025's broader call for VA operational transparency and public reporting, though it does not directly address the specific subsections cited (e.g., education programs, Office for Innovation, or Family Caregiver Program)."

Key themes:transparencypublic reportingVA accountabilityveterans' healthcare process

— 646 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 3. Section 121 (developing and administering an education program that teaches veterans about their health care options available from the Department of Veterans Affairs). 4. Section 152 (returning the Office for Innovation of Care and Payment to the Office of Enterprise Integration with a joint governance process set up with the VHA). 5. Section 161 (overhauling Family Caregiver Program expansion, which has gone poorly, so that it focuses on consistency of eligibility and awareness that the most severely wounded or injured may require the program indefinitely). l Require the VHA to report publicly on all aspects of its operation, including quality, safety, patient experience, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness, using standards similar to those in the Medicare Accountable Care Organization program so that the government may monitor and achieve continuous improvement in the VA system more effectively. l Encourage VA Medical Centers to seek out relevant academic and private- sector input in their communities to improve the overall patient experience. Budget l Conduct an independent audit of the VA similar to the 2018 Department of Defense (DOD) audit to identify IT, management, financial, contracting, and other deficiencies. l Assess the misalignment of VHA facilities and rising infrastructure costs. The VHA operates 172 inpatient medical facilities nationally that are an average of 60 years old. Some of these facilities are underutilized and inadequately staffed. Facilities in certain urban and rural areas are seeing significant declines in the veteran population and strong competition for fresh medical staff. In 2018, Congress authorized an Asset Infrastructure Review (AIR) of national VHA medical markets to provide insight into where the VA health care budget should be responsibly allocated to serve veterans most effectively. However, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee lacked the political will to act on the White House’s nominations of commission members, and this ultimately led to termination of the AIR process. The next Administration should seek out agile, creative, and politically acceptable operational solutions to this aging infrastructure status quo, — 647 — Department of Veterans Affairs reimagine the health care footprint in some locales, and spur a realignment of capacity through budgetary allocations. Specifically: 1. Embrace the expansion of Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) as an avenue to maintain a VA footprint in challenging medical markets without investing further in obsolete and unaffordable VA health care campuses. 2. Explore the potential to pilot facility-sharing partnerships between the VA and strained local health care systems to reduce costs by leveraging limited talent and resources. Personnel l Extend the term of the Under Secretary for Health (USH) to five years. Additionally, authority should be given to reappoint this individual for a second five-year term both to allow for continuity and to protect the USH from political transition. l Establish a Senior Executive Service (SES) position of VHA Care System Chief Information Officer (CIO), selected by and reporting to the chief of the VHA Care System with a dotted line to the VA CIO. l Identify a workflow process to bring wait times in compliance with VA MISSION Act–required time frames wherever possible. 1. Assess the daily clinical appointment load for physicians and clinical staff in medical facilities where wait times for care are well outside of the time frames required by the VA MISSION Act. 2. Require VHA facilities to increase the number of patients seen each day to equal the number seen by DOD medical facilities: approximately 19 patients per provider per day. Currently, VA facilities may be seeing as few as six patients per provider per day. 3. Consider a pilot program to extend weekday appointment hours and offer Saturday appointment options to veterans if a facility continues to demonstrate that it has excess capacity and is experiencing delays in the delivery of care for veterans. 4. Identify clinical services that are consistently in high demand but require cost-prohibitive compensation to recruit and retain talent, and examine exceptions for higher competitive pay.

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About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

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