HR6961-117 · 117th Congress
Signed
Signed Dec 27, 2022Dignity for MST Survivors Act
Dignity for MST Survivors Act This bill modifies communications and procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) regarding claims for compensation based on military sexual trauma (MST) experienced by veterans. The bill requires the VA to ensure each member of the BVA is offered annual training on MST and proceedings that concern a claim for compensation based on MST. A proceeding that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST may not be assigned to a member of the BVA (or a panel of members) unless such persons have completed the annual training. When a notice of disagreement is filed, the BVA must promptly determine whether it is filed for a case that concerns a claim for compensation based on MST and for which the appellant has requested a hearing in the notice. The VA must audit the language used in letters sent to individuals to explain decisions denying claims for compensation based on MST. Letters must be modified to ensure (1) the use of trauma-informed language, and (2) veterans are not retraumatized through insensitive language. The VA must establish protocols for contract medical providers to ensure that the medical providers use trauma-informed practices in conducting examinations in relation to claims for compensation based on MST.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
Final passage · 293 politicians tracked
278
YEA
9
NAY
0
PRESENT
6
NOT VOTING
Dem YEA 145Rep NAY 9Rep YEA 133
BY PARTY · ✕ NAY ← | → YEA ✓
DEM
0
145
REP
9
133
MONEY ON THIS BILL
Which donor industries fund each side of the vote — total contributions from that industry to those members, all cycles · plus lobbying activity in affected industries
⬆ YEA voters — top donor industries
- 1. Lawyers & Lobbyists$171.3M
- 2. Securities & Investment$122.3M
- 3. Health Services$121.0M
⬇ NAY voters — top donor industries
- 1. Construction & Engineering$1.0M
- 2. Agriculture$895K
- 3. Health Services$891K
◎ Lobbying activity by issue area
No bill-issue lobbying matches.
Dollar figures are each industry's total contributions to those members across all tracked cycles — not money given for this specific bill. Statistical patterns in public records; correlation, not causation.
LOBBYING ON THIS BILL
13 federal lobbying reports name this bill in their activity descriptions · LDA disclosures
EATING DISORDERS COALITION5 reports
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION4 reports
ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS (FORMERLY AS AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION)4 reports
A report naming a bill means the organization disclosed lobbying activity on it — the disclosure does not state a position for or against.
INDIVIDUAL VOTES
Recorded positions for tracked politicians
SPONSORS
Frank J. Mrvan
D-IN · Primary
3 COSPONSORS
DEMOCRATIC● 3 D
SPONSOR FUNDING
Top industries funding Mrvan
Party & Leadership16%
Party & Leadership 16% of classified donations
Lawyers & Lobbyists15%
Lawyers & Lobbyists 15% of classified donations
Labor Unions12%
Labor Unions 12% of classified donations
Health Services10%
Health Services 10% of classified donations
Securities & Investment8%
Securities & Investment 8% of classified donations
TRAIL AI
HR 6961, the Dignity for MST Survivors Act, addresses support and services for military sexual trauma survivors within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support, receiving 277 votes in favor and 9 against, with all Democratic votes in support and Republicans voting 132 to 9 in favor. The legislation has been signed into law.
Based on public voting records. Does not imply causation.
TIMELINE
INTRODUCEDMar 7, 2022
PASSED SENATEDec 19, 2022
SIGNEDDec 27, 2022
DATA SOURCES
Bill data: Congress.gov · 117th–119th Congress (2021–present)
Vote records: House Clerk / Senate · 2021–present
Reflects public records. Does not imply causation.