- Record: Senate Floor
- Section type: Legislation
- Chamber: Senate
- Date: September 29, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: This section came from the Senate floor portion of the record.
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Scott of South Carolina):
S. 5585. A bill to require a pilot program to support members of the Armed Forces and military families transitioning to civilian life, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Building Readiness and Integration for Dependents Going to Civilian Environments Act of 2026 or the BRIDGE Act of 2026. This legislation seeks to ensure that servicemembers and military families have the support they need to successfully transition from military service to civilian life.
face significant challenges navigating employment, healthcare, education, benefits, and community reintegration. While the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program provides important preseparation services, many military families still struggle to access personalized and coordinated support during this major life transistion.
geographically diverse military installations to provide nonclinical, community-based transition support for servicemembers and their families. This legislation recognizes that transition is not just an individual experience but a whole-family process that requires tailored support and long-term stability.
and their families would receive individualized transition assistance, including peer-led support groups, resilience workshops, spouse employment assistance, skills training and credentialing, benefits navigation, and reintegration support. Participants would also be paired with dedicated transition coordinators to help develop personalized transition plans and connect families with existing Federal, State, nonprofit, and community resources.
or involuntary separations and require participating organizations to track outcomes related to employment, financial stability, resilience, and family well-being. In addition, the legislation would direct the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate services to ensure a seamless postseparation transition for servicemembers and their families.
military family readiness and improving long-term outcomes for veterans and their loved ones. Servicemembers and military families sacrifice greatly in service to our Nation, and they deserve support that reflects the full scope of the transition challenges they face.
this bill with me. I hope our colleagues will join us in supporting this effort to strengthen transition support for servicemembers and military families.
- of 2026 as swiftly as possible.