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H.R. 5516 117th Congress House

VITAL Assessment Act

Official title: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 8, 2021 Introduced by: Jake Ellzey Republican · Texas See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Congressional oversightHealth promotion and preventive careHigher educationMental health
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Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitationVeterans' medical careVeterans' organizations and recognition
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 17, 2021
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Nov 16, 2021
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 16, 2021
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6279)
Nov 16, 2021
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6279)
Nov 16, 2021
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5516.
Nov 16, 2021
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6279-6280)
Nov 16, 2021
Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Nov 4, 2021
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Nov 4, 2021
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 4, 2021
Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
Oct 14, 2021
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 13, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Oct 8, 2021
Introduced in House
Oct 8, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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 Latest action November 17, 2021

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

VITAL Assessment Act

This bill implements changes related to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program, which focuses on enhancing student veterans' academic success and retention by assisting with things like mental and physical health.

The VA must report on the program and establish best practices, goals, and measures for the program that are uniform among the VA's medical centers.

The bill also requires the VA to conduct outreach among the Armed Forces, veterans service organizations, institutions of higher learning, and noncollege degree programs regarding the VITAL program.

Additionally, the VA must assess the feasibility and advisability of including the suicide rate for student veterans in the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 3368 VITAL Assessment Act of 2021
  • HR 6411 STRONG Veterans Act of 2022
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Republican 1
Delgado, Antonio
· Nov 15, 2021
Trone, David
· Nov 15, 2021
 R
Bost, Mike
Illinois · Oct 8, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5516: VITAL Assessment Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5516/
MLA
"H.R. 5516: VITAL Assessment Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5516/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5516, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5516/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5516: VITAL Assessment Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5516/)
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