H.R. 1725 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Feb 27, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryOpens GI Bill benefits for denied Black veterans
This bill makes certain Black veterans who served in World War II and were denied educational or home loan benefits because of their race eligible to receive those benefits now. It also extends eligibility to their surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, and other direct descendants. Veterans and eligible family members have a five-year window after the bill becomes law to apply for these educational benefits or VA home loans.
How it affects you
If you're a Black World War II veteran who was denied GI Bill education benefits or a VA home loan because of race, or if you're a surviving family member of such a veteran, you could now qualify for these programs. You'd need to apply within five years and provide documentation that the benefit was denied based on race. Most other Americans won't be directly affected, though the VA will study additional support for other underrepresented groups in the military.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 27, 2025)
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2025
This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI bill benefits and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program by updating terminology related to certain Black veterans. Specifically, the bill explicitly includes the following individuals as eligible veterans under the programs:
• Black veterans who served on active duty during World War II and can certify they were denied a specific benefit on the basis of race; and
• the living surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, or other direct descendants of such veterans described above who can certify the veteran was denied a specific benefit on the basis of race.
Eligible veterans must apply for educational or home loan benefits within the five-year period after the bill is enacted.
The Government Accountability Office must report on the number of individuals who received VA educational or housing loan benefits due to the amendments made by the bill and the total value of such benefits.
Finally, the VA must appoint a panel of independent experts to develop recommendations regarding additional benefits and assistance for female and minority members of the Armed Forces.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1725
A BILL
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA-6) · Introduced Feb 27, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 27, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.”
Sections
Sections · 5
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2FindingsNo change
- Sec. 3Housing loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Black veterans of World War II and survivors and certain direct descendants of such veteransNo change
- Sec. 4Educational assistance for survivors and certain direct descendants of Black veterans of World War IINo change
- Sec. 5Blue Ribbon panel on benefits and assistance for female and minority veteransNo change