VA and DoD ordered to audit military mental health programs
In committeeH.R. 7735Latest action
Sponsor: Jared F. Golden · Representative · ME
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Official title: Improving Mental Health Support for Servicemembers and Veterans Act
119th Congress
Topics: Security & foreign affairs
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 7735 orders a VA-DoD joint committee to audit existing military mental health programs and report findings to Congress within 180 days.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 7735 requires a joint committee of VA and Department of Defense representatives to inventory and evaluate all existing mental health programs run by both agencies. The committee must report findings to Congress within 180 days of enactment, identifying programs that underperform, overlap, or leave gaps in care. The bill also requires the same committee to review the joint separation health assessment at least once every two years to determine whether its questions remain appropriate.
Who does it affect?
The bill directly affects active-duty servicemembers transitioning out of the military and veterans who rely on VA and DoD mental health services. The joint committee draws representatives from both the VA and the DoD.
Why does it matter?
Without a structured review, Congress lacks a clear picture of which mental health programs are working and which are redundant or insufficient. The bill creates a mechanism for identifying those gaps, though it does not establish new programs or guarantee new funding at this time.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 26, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Mar 30, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.