Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · S 2264
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2264Department of Veterans AffairsDepartment of Homeland Security
Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2025
INTRO JUL 14· LAST ACTION MAR 18
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it addresses a critical need for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be fully prepared for and responsive during emergencies. When disasters strike, whether it's a hurricane, a pandemic, or a major power outage, veterans often depend on the VA for essential medical care, prescriptions, and other vital support. If the VA's emergency systems are uncoordinated, its supply centers are poorly managed, or it struggles to work with other federal agencies like FEMA, veterans could face delays or a lack of access to critical services when they need them most.
If this bill becomes law, it will force the VA to thoroughly examine its current strengths and weaknesses in emergency management. This transparency and self-assessment are crucial steps towards identifying specific problems and finding practical solutions, potentially leading to more efficient operations, better allocation of resources, and improved inter-agency cooperation. Without this bill, these critical internal reviews and external coordination assessments might not happen, leaving the VA's emergency response capabilities potentially vulnerable and putting veterans at greater risk during future crises.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires the VA Secretary to submit a report outlining the emergency management roles and responsibilities of all VA offices.
This aims to clarify who does what during an emergency, identify overlaps, and suggest improvements for a more efficient and accountable system.
PROVISION 02
Requires the VA Secretary to submit a report detailing the operations, inventory, and capacity of the VA's Regional Readiness Centers.
This provision is crucial for understanding if the VA has enough emergency supplies, if they are well-managed, and if the centers can effectively support veterans during various types of crises.
PROVISION 03
Requires the VA Secretary to submit a report on limitations preventing FEMA from sharing fuel and resources with the VA during emergencies and issues with inter-agency coordination.
This will identify specific barriers to cooperation between two key federal agencies during a crisis, potentially leading to legislative or administrative changes that allow for more seamless support.
This bill matters because it addresses a critical need for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be fully prepared for and responsive during emergencies. When disasters strike, whether it's a hurricane, a pandemic, or a major power outage, veterans often depend on the VA for essential medical care, prescriptions, and other vital support. If the VA's emergency systems are uncoordinated, its supply centers are poorly managed, or it struggles to work with other federal agencies like FEMA, veterans could face delays or a lack of access to critical services when they need them most.
If this bill becomes law, it will force the VA to thoroughly examine its current strengths and weaknesses in emergency management. This transparency and self-assessment are crucial steps towards identifying specific problems and finding practical solutions, potentially leading to more efficient operations, better allocation of resources, and improved inter-agency cooperation. Without this bill, these critical internal reviews and external coordination assessments might not happen, leaving the VA's emergency response capabilities potentially vulnerable and putting veterans at greater risk during future crises.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the VA Secretary to submit a report outlining the emergency management roles and responsibilities of all VA offices.
This aims to clarify who does what during an emergency, identify overlaps, and suggest improvements for a more efficient and accountable system.
high
Requires the VA Secretary to submit a report detailing the operations, inventory, and capacity of the VA's Regional Readiness Centers.
This provision is crucial for understanding if the VA has enough emergency supplies, if they are well-managed, and if the centers can effectively support veterans during various types of crises.
high
Requires the VA Secretary to submit a report on limitations preventing FEMA from sharing fuel and resources with the VA during emergencies and issues with inter-agency coordination.
This will identify specific barriers to cooperation between two key federal agencies during a crisis, potentially leading to legislative or administrative changes that allow for more seamless support.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report outlining emergency management roles and responsibilities of VA offices.
180 days after the date of enactment
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report on the Regional Readiness Centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
90 days after the date of enactment
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report on fuel sharing and increased coordination between FEMA and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
A U.S. government agency that provides healthcare services, benefits, and support to military veterans and their families.
Emergency Management
The organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response, and recovery.
Comptroller General of the United States
The head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent agency that audits federal programs and spending.
Inspector General
An official within a government agency whose role is to audit the agency's operations and investigate waste, fraud, and abuse.
Secretary of Homeland Security
The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which focuses on protecting the country from various threats and managing federal emergency response efforts.
Regional Readiness Centers
Facilities operated by the VA that store emergency supplies and equipment to be distributed to VA medical centers and other facilities during crises.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
MAR 18
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
COMMITTEE
DEC 10, 25
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-247.
COMMITTEE
JUL 14, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 14, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
A U.S. government agency that coordinates the federal government's response to disasters, both natural and man-made.
Fourth Mission activations
Refers to the VA's responsibility to support national, state, and local emergency management, public health, safety, and homeland security efforts during crises, beyond its primary mission to serve veterans.
