H.R. 39 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Jan 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProvides payment to WWII merchant mariners
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to give $25,000 to U.S. merchant marines who served during World War II. To qualify, they would need to apply for the benefit and cannot have already received benefits under the 1944 Servicemen's Readjustment Act (often called the GI Bill). The bill sets specific requirements for what counts as qualified service, including when someone served and what licenses they held.
How it affects you
If you're a surviving WWII merchant marine who meets the requirements, you could receive a one-time $25,000 payment. This directly affects that specific group of aging veterans and potentially their families if they've passed away.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025)
Original Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to distribute a payment of $25,000 to U.S. merchant marines who engaged in qualified service during World War II. To be eligible, an individual must apply for the benefit and must not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. The bill sets forth what constitutes qualified service, including time frame of service and licensing requirements.
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. 39
A BILL
Original Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Al Green (D-TX-9) · Introduced Jan 3, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 19, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.”