Two delegates representing United States territories have introduced new legislation aimed at improving support for veterans and military families. The bills—introduced by Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R) of the Northern Mariana Islands and Delegate James Moylan (R) of Guam—seek to expand healthcare access and modernize leave protections for military caregivers.
TRAVEL Act targets healthcare access in remote territories
On May 15, Delegate King-Hinds introduced the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025, a measure designed to address long-standing healthcare access gaps for veterans in the Northern Mariana Islands and other underserved areas. The legislation would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assign traveling US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians to remote territories for up to one year. Physicians would receive a travel bonus and provide sustained care within these communities.
“When I speak with veterans back home, they share the immense challenges they face in accessing the medical care they need,” King-Hinds said. “Too often, veterans are forced to travel thousands of miles for basic care, while the federal government fails to provide sufficient support. Our nation’s heroes deserve better.”
US House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R) of Illinois expressed support for the bill, calling it a “vitally important issue” and praising King-Hinds for leading efforts to address veterans’ access challenges in the territories.
King-Hinds noted the bill is part of broader efforts to improve veterans’ support in the territories. She thanked Delegates James Moylan of Guam and Amata Coleman Radewagen (R) of American Samoa for cosponsoring the legislation.
MIL FMLA Act expands caregiver leave for military families
On May 16, Delegate Moylan and Representative April McClain Delaney (D) of Maryland introduced the Making it Likely for Families of the Military to Live with Leave Access (MIL FMLA) Act, which aims to modernize the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to serve military caregivers better. The companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D) of Illinois.
The MIL FMLA Act would:
- Expand FMLA coverage to include domestic deployments and reserve components.
- Eliminate the five-year limit on eligibility for caregiving protections for veterans.
- Allow repeated use of caregiver leave.
- Include domestic partners and extended family among eligible caregivers.
- Create a new category of leave for veterans needing long-term care.
“As the representative of the district with the highest level of enlistments per capita, and as a veteran myself, this bill addresses the countless underlying issues that affect our ability and willingness to serve,” said Moylan.
Senator Duckworth emphasized the importance of national security in supporting caregivers, noting, “No servicemember should ever have to worry whether they and their loved ones will have the benefits needed to care for them after their service.”
The bill is endorsed by more than a dozen advocacy groups, including the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, National Military Family Association, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Center for American Progress, Service Women’s Action Network, Caregiver Action Network, National Partnership for Women & Families, VoteVets, Caring Across Generations, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), MomsRising, Family Values @ Work, Common Defense, A Better Balance, Truman National Security Project, Secure Families Initiative, and Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA.
“The MIL FMLA Act is a crucial step forward in helping those who make countless sacrifices for their country,” said Molly Weston Williamson, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. “No one should have to risk their job in order to ensure they or their family can get the care they need.”
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