U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and John Boozman (R-AR) are proposing a new effort to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs across the country.
Expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs across the country.
Occurrences
The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, introduced by Senators including Elissa Slotkin, aims to help former servicemembers access outdoor recreation opportunities to improve their well-being. The bill would create a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities, with each state that applies receiving a minimum of $200,000 to deliver these services.
Senators Kevin Cramer, Maggie Hassan, John Boozman, and Elissa Slotkin introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs. The bill proposes a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities, with each state that applies receiving a minimum of $200,000 to deliver these services.
A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to certain State entities to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans that enhance veteran wellness...
U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and John Boozman (R-AR) are proposing a new effort to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs across the country. ... The Senators introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act; legislation aimed at helping veterans reconnect with community and improve their well-being through outdoor recreation.
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Elissa Slotkin, introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act to provide $10 million in state grants for outdoor recreational activities aimed at helping veterans reintegrate into the community.
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., are helping to lead the bill. “Veterans often find comfort and healing in the great outdoors, so helping increase their opportunities for healthy rehabilitation in those settings is important,” said Boozman ... The Veterans Outdoors Rehabilitation Act would establish a state grant program to seed and grow outdoor recreation programs that benefit the well-being of all veterans... The legislation directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to “establish a program under which the [VA] secretary shall award grants to certain state entities to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans that enhance veteran wellness, and for other purposes,” according to the bill’s language...
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to certain State entities to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans that enhance veteran wellness, and for other purposes.
Evidence
U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, aiming to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs across the country. The bill proposes creating a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities for former service members, with each state that applies receiving a minimum of $200,000 to deliver these services.
The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, introduced by Senators including Elissa Slotkin, aims to help former servicemembers access outdoor recreation opportunities to improve their well-being. The bill would create a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities, with each state that applies receiving a minimum of $200,000 to deliver these services.
Senators Kevin Cramer, Maggie Hassan, John Boozman, and Elissa Slotkin introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs. The bill proposes a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities, with each state that applies receiving a minimum of $200,000 to deliver these services.
Senate Bill 4197, titled 'A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to certain State entities to expand access to structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans that enhance veteran wellness, and for other purposes,' was introduced on March 25, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Senator John Boozman announced the introduction of the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, co-sponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer, Maggie Hassan, and Elissa Slotkin. The bill aims to establish a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities for veterans. Each state that applies would receive a minimum of $200,000 to deliver these services.
The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, introduced by Senators Kevin Cramer and Maggie Hassan, proposes providing $10 million in state grants annually to fund outdoor recreational activities for veterans. The bill has been referred to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, which is expected to consider it by the end of April.
Senate Bill 4197, titled the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, was introduced on March 25, 2026, by Senator Kevin Cramer, with co-sponsorship from Senators Margaret Hassan, John Boozman, and Elissa Slotkin. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Elissa Slotkin, introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act to provide $10 million in state grants for outdoor recreational activities aimed at helping veterans reintegrate into the community. The bill has been referred to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs has scheduled a hearing on pending legislation, including S. 4197, the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, for April 29, 2026.
U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act. The press release says the legislation is aimed at helping veterans reconnect with community and improve their well-being through outdoor recreation, and that it would create a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities for former service members.
GovInfo shows S. 4197, the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, was introduced on March 25, 2026. The action states that Mr. Cramer, for himself, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Boozman, and Ms. Slotkin, introduced the bill; it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Slotkin is listed as a cosponsor.
The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs scheduled a hearing on pending legislation for April 29, 2026, and its agenda lists S. 4197, the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, among the bills under consideration.
This Senate press release states that Senators Kevin Cramer, Maggie Hassan, John Boozman, and Elissa Slotkin were proposing a new effort to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs across the country. It says the bill would create a federal grant program for state veterans' agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities, with a minimum grant of $200,000 for each applying state.
Assessments
Slotkin co-introduced and cosponsored S. 4197, the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, in March 2026, and the bill directly matches the promise by proposing a federal grant program to expand structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans nationwide. However, the evidence shows only introduction, referral to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and a committee hearing; it does not show enactment, funding, implementation, or actual expanded access. This is a serious same-term legislative effort but not fulfillment of the promised outcome.
Slotkin co-introduced and cosponsored S. 4197, the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, which directly matches the promise by proposing a VA grant program for state entities to expand structured outdoor recreation programs for veterans nationwide. The bill was introduced March 25, 2026, referred to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and had a committee hearing on April 29, 2026, but available current status shows no passage, enactment, appropriation, or implemented national grant program. This is a serious same-term legislative attempt, but the promised expansion has not been delivered.
Senator Elissa Slotkin co-introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, which directly addresses the promise to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs. The bill proposes substantial federal grants and has been formally introduced and referred to committee, with a hearing scheduled. However, there is no evidence it has become law or resulted in implemented programs as of the latest information. Therefore, the promise is unresolved—significant effort made, but fulfillment not yet demonstrable.
Elissa Slotkin co-introduced the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, a bill aimed at expanding veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs via federal grants to state veterans' agencies. The bill was publicly announced, received bipartisan co-sponsors, and was formally referred to the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee in spring 2026. However, there is no evidence in the provided sources that the bill was enacted or that the proposed grants/programs were implemented. The serious and public legislative attempt fulfills the effort standard required for the effort_badge, but the promised policy outcome was not delivered during the relevant term.
Senator Elissa Slotkin co-introduced and actively supported the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, which would have expanded veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs via federal grants to state veterans' agencies. Multiple pieces of evidence confirm her serious legislative effort (bill introduction, co-sponsorship, public advocacy), but no evidence demonstrates the bill was passed into law or that its provisions were implemented. Thus, while Slotkin made a serious attempt, the promise was not delivered.
Senator Slotkin co-introduced and made a significant legislative attempt by introducing the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act (Senate Bill 4197) to expand veteran access to structured outdoor recreation programs. The bill proposed a grant program for state veterans' agencies. However, the evidence only confirms introduction and referral to committee, with no indication that the bill became law or directly expanded access for veterans. Thus, the promise was not delivered, but considerable legislative effort was made.