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H.R. 8354: Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020

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H.R. 8354: Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020

116th Congress · introduced 2020-09-23 · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues · Latest: Became Public Law No: 116-288.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2020-09-23 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 239 (2020): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR8354 (2020-12-08), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 116-288. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020

Plain summary

Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020 This bill establishes the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The initiative shall serve as legal and policy advisor on DOJ's efforts to enforce criminal and civil laws that impact service members, veterans, and their families; develop policy recommendations for improved enforcement of federal law to support service members, veterans, and their families; serve as the liaison and point of contact between DOJ and the military departments; provide counsel for the Office of Justice Programs to ensure that funding decisions take into account service members, veterans, and their families; serve as a liaison and point of contact with the Consumer Protection Branch of DOJ's Civil Division with respect to the prosecution of federal crimes involving fraud that target service members; and serve as a liaison and point of contact with other DOJ components as needed to support the enforcement of other federal laws that protect service members and veterans.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] · 7 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Joe Neguse (D-CO)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] reported raising $1.1 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Ballot initiative
A proposed law or constitutional amendment that citizens place on the ballot by gathering enough voter signatures, so voters decide it directly. About half the states allow some form of it.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-hr8354 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116