{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-introduces-legislation-to-better-connect-veterans-with-benefits/", "Cortez Masto Introduces Legislation to Better Connect Veterans with Benefits", "2026-08-12", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "NV", "Catherine Cortez Masto", "C001113", "www.cortezmasto.senate.gov", "cortezmasto", "https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to make it easier for states to contact veterans about the benefits they may be eligible for. The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide state veterans agencies with contact information for veterans residing in that state. This bill is cosponsored by Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).\n\n\u201cState agencies, like the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, stand ready to serve veterans and connect them to crucial state services. But these agencies can\u2019t connect veterans with benefits in a timely manner without their contact information,\u201d said Senator Cortez Masto. \u201cThis commonsense fix would equip state governments with the tools they need to better reach and serve veterans.\u201d\n\n\u201cVeterans deserve to know about all the benefits they have earned, as this measure would help ensure. State veterans\u2019 agencies in Connecticut and across the country are invaluable partners in this effort\u2014 helping veterans get benefits, housing homeless veterans, and providing a final resting place at State Veterans Cemeteries. Our common sense bill will enable state agencies to better inform and connect veterans to these important benefits,\u201d said Ranking Member Blumenthal.\n\n\u201cStates should be able to reach out directly to the veterans they serve so they can fully provide supplemental benefits and services parallel to those offered by the VA,\u201d said Senator Rosen. \u201cThis bill will tackle administrative hurdles and streamline processes, making it easier for state and federal agencies to work together effectively and get our veterans the support they need.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act would:\n\nRequire VA to, at least quarterly, provide each compliant state veterans agency with contact information for veterans residing in that state, solely for statistical and outreach purposes;\n\nAllow state agencies to directly inform veterans about benefits, claims assistance, health resources, employment programs, education opportunities, and other services; and\n\nRequire VA to issue implementing regulations within 180 days, with information sharing to begin one year after enactment.\n\nTo protect veterans\u2019 privacy, this legislation would require data sharing only for the purposes of connecting veterans with benefits. No protected health information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial information, disability ratings, appeals, or claims information could be shared, and veterans would have the option to opt out of the data sharing agreement. In order to receive veterans\u2019 contact information, states would first have to prove their cybersecurity and data-protection practices meet federal standards.\n\n\u201cState veterans agencies need the tools to proactively reach veterans and connect them with the benefits, health care, employment assistance, and resources they have earned. This legislation will help states securely engage with veterans while protecting their privacy, allowing us to provide more effective outreach and ensure no veteran is left behind. I want to thank Senators Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, and Richard Blumenthal for recognizing the vital role state veterans agencies play in supporting those who have served,\u201d said Col. Mary Devine, Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.\n\nSenator Cortez Masto is a consistent champion for Nevada\u2019s service members and veterans. This year, she introduced two bipartisan bills to crack down on veterans taking advantage of veterans. She also recently introduced sweeping legislation to improve health care for veterans. She has worked to support veterans exposed to toxins while serving at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Cortez Masto successfully pushed the Biden administration to approve a new veterans cemetery in Elko, Nevada, and has been continually pushing the VA for transparency in the timeline of its construction. She has fought back against the Navy Federal Credit Union for overcharging service members.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-13T06:17:16Z", "2026-08-13T06:18:13Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.cortezmasto.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cortez-masto-introduces-legislation-to-better-connect-veterans-with-benefits/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5116420108824968, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}