House BillHR 660Women's employmentVeterans' pensions and compensation
WISER Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 23· LAST ACTION MAR 4
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
7
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it addresses a long-standing issue for women who served our country during a specific period. Historically, many women were forced out of military service, sometimes due to policies like Executive Order 10240 which often targeted women for involuntary separation. These separations could result in less-than-honorable discharges, which then prevented these veterans from accessing the full range of benefits and recognition typically afforded to those who served.
If this bill becomes law, it could right a historical wrong by providing financial compensation and improving the official records of these veterans. This would not only acknowledge their service and the unfair circumstances of their separation but also ensure they can access the full benefits they earned. Without this bill, many of these women veterans might continue to face barriers to care and recognition, and their contributions to the nation's defense would remain unrecognized in their official military records.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes a Discharge Status Upgrade Program for certain women veterans, administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in coordination with the Secretary of Defense.
This program aims to correct past discharge statuses, potentially opening doors to full veteran benefits and recognition for affected women.
PROVISION 02
Creates a Compensation Benefit Program providing a one-time payment of $25,000 to eligible women veterans or their surviving spouses.
This offers direct financial redress to women veterans who faced involuntary separation under specific circumstances.
PROVISION 03
Sets eligibility criteria, including an 'irrebuttable presumption' for women veterans involuntarily separated under Executive Order 10240, and 'rebuttable presumptions' for separations related to childbirth or incomplete pregnancies.
These criteria define who qualifies for the programs, ensuring the benefits are directed towards specific historical injustices.
PROVISION 04
Defines 'covered veteran' as a woman who served on active duty between April 27, 1951, and February 23, 1976.
This clearly outlines the specific demographic and service period targeted by the bill.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
COMMITTEE
JAN 23
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 23
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because it addresses a long-standing issue for women who served our country during a specific period. Historically, many women were forced out of military service, sometimes due to policies like Executive Order 10240 which often targeted women for involuntary separation. These separations could result in less-than-honorable discharges, which then prevented these veterans from accessing the full range of benefits and recognition typically afforded to those who served.
If this bill becomes law, it could right a historical wrong by providing financial compensation and improving the official records of these veterans. This would not only acknowledge their service and the unfair circumstances of their separation but also ensure they can access the full benefits they earned. Without this bill, many of these women veterans might continue to face barriers to care and recognition, and their contributions to the nation's defense would remain unrecognized in their official military records.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a Discharge Status Upgrade Program for certain women veterans, administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in coordination with the Secretary of Defense.
This program aims to correct past discharge statuses, potentially opening doors to full veteran benefits and recognition for affected women.
high
Creates a Compensation Benefit Program providing a one-time payment of $25,000 to eligible women veterans or their surviving spouses.
This offers direct financial redress to women veterans who faced involuntary separation under specific circumstances.
high
Sets eligibility criteria, including an 'irrebuttable presumption' for women veterans involuntarily separated under Executive Order 10240, and 'rebuttable presumptions' for separations related to childbirth or incomplete pregnancies.
These criteria define who qualifies for the programs, ensuring the benefits are directed towards specific historical injustices.
med
Defines 'covered veteran' as a woman who served on active duty between April 27, 1951, and February 23, 1976.
This clearly outlines the specific demographic and service period targeted by the bill.
An official change to a veteran's military discharge record, usually improving the characterization of their service separation (e.g., from 'general' to 'honorable'), which can affect eligibility for benefits.
Compensation Benefit
A one-time monetary payment provided to a person as a form of reimbursement or recognition for past actions or circumstances.
Executive Order 10240
A specific presidential directive referenced in the bill, which historically led to the involuntary separation of certain women from active military service.
Irrebuttable Presumption
A legal assumption that cannot be challenged or disproven, meaning if a veteran meets this condition, they are automatically considered eligible.
Rebuttable Presumption
A legal assumption that is considered true unless proven otherwise, meaning a veteran is assumed eligible if they meet the condition, but this assumption can be challenged with evidence.
Authorization of Appropriations
A legislative act that permits money to be spent on a program, but does not actually provide the money itself. The funds must be separately provided through an 'appropriations act'.
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
MAR 4, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
COMMITTEE
JAN 23, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 23, 25
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
