Congress restores discharge status, pays $25K to women forced out for pregnancy
H.R. 660 — WISER Act of 2025 · Filed by Julia Brownley (D-CA) · 7 cosponsors · Introduced Jan 23, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to establish two programs for women veterans who were involuntarily separated from military service under Executive Order 10240 (which discharged women who became pregnant or had childcare responsibilities between 1951–1976): one program upgrades their discharge status, and a second provides a one-time $25,000 compensation payment. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans who die after the bill's enactment may also claim the compensation.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to remedy a historical wrong—the involuntary discharge of women from the military based on pregnancy or childcare status—by upgrading discharge status and providing compensation. This is a targeted remedial measure, not a broad entitlement or carve-out.
What the text implies
- Discharge status upgrades may retroactively entitle affected veterans to VA benefits (healthcare, disability, education) they were previously denied, creating a potential long-term fiscal exposure beyond the stated $25,000 compensation.
- The 'irrebuttable presumption' of eligibility for women separated under EO 10240 means no individual review of circumstances; all such women are automatically eligible unless they affirmatively opt out.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
women veterans separated under Executive Order 10240; surviving spouses of eligible veterans