Bills · HR 7176
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7176Armed Forces and National Security
Vets Connect Act
INTRO JAN 21· LAST ACTION JAN 21
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because social connection and community support are vital for veterans' well-being. Many veterans struggle with loneliness or the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, and reconnecting with those who shared similar experiences can be incredibly beneficial for their mental health and social support networks. If this bill becomes law, it offers a secure and trustworthy method for veterans to find their former comrades, overcoming common hurdles like outdated contact information or privacy concerns with commercial social media platforms.
Without this bill, veterans would continue to rely on unofficial channels, personal networks, or commercial social media sites to find each other, which may lack the specific verification for service or the privacy protections that an official VA platform could provide. This bill aims to address a long-standing need for a dedicated, secure space where veterans can safely rekindle old connections, potentially improving their overall quality of life and access to informal support.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the VA to establish a secure database and messaging platform called the "Vets Connect System" for veterans to reconnect with those they served with.
This creates a dedicated and official channel for veterans to find each other, separate from commercial platforms.
PROVISION 02
Ensures personal contact information is not disclosed unless a veteran expressly authorizes it, and veterans must opt-in to appear in searches or to share any information.
This provision prioritizes veteran privacy and gives them full control over their personal data within the system.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits the use of any information from the system for commercial solicitation, advertising, or data brokerage.
This protects veterans from unwanted marketing and ensures their data is not exploited for profit by third parties.
PROVISION 04
Limits access to the system to only individuals whose military service has been verified by the VA or Department of Defense.
This ensures the authenticity of users and prevents non-veterans from accessing the system, maintaining its integrity and security.
PROVISION 05
Mandates industry-standard cybersecurity protections, audit logs, and oversight by the VA Inspector General.
These measures are crucial for protecting veteran data from breaches and misuse, building trust in the platform.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
R· North Carolina
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
15
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 21
Introduced in House
JAN 21
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7176
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 21, 2026
Last actionJan 21, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2026
House BillHR 7176Armed Forces and National Security
Vets Connect Act
INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 21, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
