S. 831Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

REP VA Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 2:15 AM UTC

The REP VA Act amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to improve how the Department of Veterans Affairs contacts veterans by phone. It requires a consistent, recognizable phone number and caller‑ID branding for all VA‑related calls, and it mandates that the Veterans Health Administration operate at least one call center in each major U.S. time zone to handle health‑care appointment and referral issues. The changes take effect by Jan. 1, 2026.

Key Provisions

By Jan. 1, 2026, any VA employee or contractor calling a veteran about VA services must use a single, well‑known phone number and caller‑ID that clearly shows the call is from the VA.
The Veterans Health Administration must have at least one call center in each of the six U.S. time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii) to handle health‑care appointment and referral questions, also by Jan. 1, 2026.
The new “Telephone communication” section (Sec. 6321) is added to the VA’s statutory code, and the table of sections is updated to list it.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 30, 2025

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 4, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 4, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 11, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

July 30, 2025

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in SenateIssued March 4, 2025

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 831

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 4, 2025

Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Ms. Hirono) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve telephone communication by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Representing VA with Accuracy Act or the REP VA Act.

Improvement of telephone communication by Department of Veterans Affairs

(a)

In general

Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

6321.

Telephone communication

(a)

Calls associated with Department

Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that any call made to a veteran by an employee or contractor of the Department regarding services or benefits furnished by the Department—

(1)

is made from a single, well-known telephone number; and

(2)

uses caller identification branding that indicates to the veteran that the call is from or on behalf of the Department.

(b)

Call centers for health care appointments and referrals

(1)

In general

Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretary shall ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has at least one call center in each of the time zones specified in paragraph (2) to address concerns regarding appointments and referrals for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary.

(2)

Time zones specified

The time zones specified in this paragraph are the following:

(A)

Eastern time.

(B)

Central time.

(C)

Mountain time.

(D)

Pacific time.

(E)

Alaska time.

(F)

Hawaii time.

(3)

Clarification

The Secretary is not required to ensure that the Veterans Health Administration has a call center in any location generally within a time zone specified in paragraph (2) that does not follow daylight time.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

6321. Telephone communication.