S. 1655 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, May 7, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires notice before firing Veterans Crisis Line staff
This bill makes the Department of Veterans Affairs notify Congress within 48 hours before firing any employee of the Veterans Crisis Line, a service that helps veterans in crisis. The VA has to explain why they're firing the person, say whether they're a veteran or military spouse, and describe how they'll keep the crisis line running smoothly. The bill also requires the VA and the Government Accountability Office (a congressional watchdog) to report on how well the Veterans Crisis Line is working and how it's staffed.
How it affects you
If you work at the Veterans Crisis Line, this bill gives Congress a heads-up before you're fired and requires a plan to keep the service running. For veterans in crisis, this is about making sure there's continuity and stability in the service that helps you during emergencies. The requirement ends on January 20, 2029.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, May 7, 2025)
Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act
This bill temporarily requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit a notification to Congress not later than 48 hours before terminating any employee of the Veterans Crisis Line.
The notification must provide a justification of cause for such termination, a clarification on whether the employee is a veteran or military spouse, and a detailed plan to ensure continuity of the mission readiness of the Veterans Crisis Line. This requirement terminates on January 20, 2029.
The bill also requires the VA to report to Congress on the Veterans Crisis Line’s personnel, operations, and performance.
The Government Accountability Office must report on the operation and performance of the Veterans Crisis Line, including recommendations for improvement.
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 SessionS. 1655
A BILL
Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act
Sponsor: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) · Introduced May 7, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 7, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.”