TRAVEL Act of 2025

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3400) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assign physicians of the Department of Veterans Affairs to temporarily serve as traveling physicians in the territories and possessions of the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3400, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3400, as amended, offered by my colleague on the Veterans' Affairs Committee Representative King-Hinds.

This bill would give the VA Secretary the power to assign traveling physicians for up to 1 year at a time in the U.S. territories to deliver care.

The VA provides healthcare in five U.S. territories in the Pacific and Atlantic. In the Pacific, the VA has one medical center in Honolulu, Hawaii. There are three outpatient clinics in American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. In the Atlantic, the VA has one medical center in Puerto Rico. There are 10 outpatient clinics across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Based on the most recent data we have, the VA Pacific system served 7,200 enrolled veterans. The VA Caribbean system serves 61,000 enrolled veterans. The veterans in these parts of the world are forced to spend time and money to get their hard-earned care. For example, a veteran in Guam must travel 4,000 miles for care in Honolulu. A veteran in the Virgin Islands has to fly to Puerto Rico to receive care at the VA Medical Center there. The TRAVEL Act would expand the reach of VA care by putting physicians where the veterans live.

I thank Representative King-Hinds, my friend, for her leadership on this bill to get veterans in remote parts of the world the healthcare they have earned. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3400, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Ms. King-Hinds).

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 3400, the TRAVEL Act of 2025, as amended.

The VA estimates that as of June 2023, there were at least 100,000 veterans living in U.S. territories, but it is likely that this number is even higher. However, only Puerto Rico has a VA Medical Center, and only American Samoa and Guam have outpatient clinics or CBOCs. Therefore, veterans living in the territories have limited access to VA medical care.

While eligible veterans can receive care through the VA's community care program, access to specialty care, even in the community, is extremely limited, given the lack of such services in the territories.

This legislation authorizes the VA to appoint traveling physicians to provide care to veterans residing in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States. It will also allow the traveling VA physician to coordinate with nondepartment medical providers as necessary to provide care. I thank Representative King-Hinds for introducing this bill.

Individuals from the territories generally enlist in the military at higher

per capita rates than residents of most U.S. States. However, veterans in the territories have long struggled to access the VA healthcare they have earned. This legislation could help reduce the rate at which these veterans must be referred to community providers or endure lengthy travel to access services at VA medical facilities thousands and thousands of miles away from home.

Veterans deserve access to the care and benefits they have earned, regardless of where they live. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3400, the TRAVEL Act.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3400, the TRAVEL Act.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 3400, as amended, the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans Essential Lifecare Act, otherwise known as the TRAVEL Act of 2025.

This legislation is a vital step toward improving healthcare access to veterans residing in U.S. territories, including my district, the Northern Mariana Islands.

Our veterans have served our country with honor, but too many of them still struggle to receive even the most basic care close to home.

The TRAVEL Act directly addresses the critical shortage of specialized medical care in remote and underserved areas. It authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to temporarily deploy VA physicians and medical specialists to the territories. These professionals would receive travel bonuses and provide much-needed care, helping close persistent gaps in the VA service network.

When I meet with veterans back home, I often hear the same heartbreaking stories: long travel, long waits, and feeling forgotten by the very system meant to care for them. This bill is driven by those voices. Their needs, their experiences, and their dignity are at the heart of the TRAVEL Act. This bill brings care to them rather than asking them to sacrifice even more.

I extend my deep appreciation to the Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost and Ranking Member Takano, as well as their dedicated staff, for their work and support of this legislation. This bipartisan effort reflects a shared commitment across the aisle and across the country ensuring that no veteran is left behind, no matter where they live.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support the TRAVEL Act.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for two Roll Call votes on Monday, September 15, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner:

NAY on Roll Call No. 265, On Motion to Table the Motion to Discharge Committee of H. Res. 117; and YEA on Roll Call No. 266, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H.R. 3400.

Mr. Speaker, I missed all the votes in the vote series on Monday, September 15, 2025.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 266, final passage of H.R. 3400, the TRAVEL Act; and NAY on Roll Call No. 265, final passage of H.J. RES. 117, On Motion to Table the Motion to Discharge Committee.