My bill ensures our government is finally taking a unified approach to protecting brain health, improving treatment, and delivering better long-term outcomes for the men and women who have sacrificed for our country, especially our Special Operations Forces.
Advance the Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force Act to coordinate federal research, diagnostics, care continuity, and congressional reporting on blast overpressure effects for servicemembers and veterans.
Occurrences
Evidence
The House Committee Repository lists the May 14, 2026 Committee on Veterans' Affairs markup of H.R.6444, the Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force Act. Under Votes, it states: "H.R6444, as amended, was favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote," added May 15, 2026.
Congress.gov identifies Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas as sponsor of H.R.6444, introduced December 4, 2025. The bill would establish a VA Blast Overpressure Task Force through the VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee, align research agendas, establish performance baselines, prioritize translational research including mobile diagnostics, support continuity of care, and issue annual reports to Congress.
Assessments
Jackson directly sponsored H.R.6444, and the bill substantively matches the promise by creating a VA/DOD-linked blast overpressure task force with research coordination, diagnostics, continuity-of-care, and annual reporting duties. It advanced in the same congressional term, including a January 13, 2026 subcommittee hearing and a May 14, 2026 House Veterans' Affairs Committee markup where it was favorably reported to the full House by voice vote. However, the measure had not passed both chambers or become law as of June 1, 2026, so the promised policy outcome has been advanced but not delivered.