hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Creates grants for states to offer veterans outdoor recreation for wellness.
Sen. Cramer (R-ND), Sen. Hassan (D-NH), Sen. Boozman (R-AR), Sen. Slotkin
Introduced in the Senate, no vote yet
Senator Cramer (R-ND), along with Senators Hassan (D-NH), Boozman (R-AR), and Slotkin, introduced this bill in the Senate. It aims to establish a program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides grants to state agencies to create or expand outdoor recreation programs for veterans. Currently, it's been referred to a committee and awaits further action.
Introduced Mar 25, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate on March 25, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. For it to become law, it must pass through this committee, be voted on and passed by the full Senate, then pass the House of Representatives, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, veterans across participating states could gain easier access to a variety of structured outdoor activities, from hiking to adaptive sports, designed to improve their mental and physical well-being. State agencies responsible for veterans' services would receive federal grants to either develop new programs or expand existing ones, potentially reducing financial barriers for veterans to participate. These programs might also coordinate with federal land managers, potentially opening up more public lands for veteran outdoor recreation.
Supporters Say
This bill would provide valuable resources for veterans to improve their health through nature and community.
Critics Say
Concerns might arise over the cost of the program or the effectiveness of state-run outdoor programs.
Supporters would likely emphasize the documented benefits of outdoor activity and peer connection for mental and physical health, especially for veterans who may be dealing with service-related issues. Critics, if any, might question the allocation of $10 million annually, arguing for other veteran services or pointing to potential bureaucratic inefficiencies in state-run programs, although the bill requires reporting on outcomes.