Sponsors (2)
The bill publicly honors a veteran and standardizes the VA facility's name—recognizing service and reducing naming confusion—at the cost of modest administrative expenses and some use of government time for a largely symbolic change.
Veterans who use the West Haven VA medical center will have the facility officially named for Captain Paul W. Bucha, preserving his recognition in federal records and making references to the facility consistent for users and administrators.
Veterans are publicly honored for service and advocacy, which raises public awareness of veterans' contributions and needs.
Veterans and patients with chronic conditions have increased visibility for long-term mental health and neurological care needs, which may prompt greater attention to VA services and related research.
Taxpayers and federal employees will incur minor administrative and resource costs (updating signs, records, maps, documents) and Congress will spend time on honorific text that produces no direct services.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Renames the VA medical center in West Haven, Connecticut as the Captain Paul W. Bucha VA Medical Center and requires federal references to use that name.
Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Haven, Connecticut (or any successor facility) as the Captain Paul W. Bucha VA Medical Center and requires that federal references to that medical center use the new name. The bill also records congressional findings honoring Paul W. Bucha’s military service, veteran advocacy, health struggles, and death.
Official title: Designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in West Haven, Connecticut, as the "Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center".
Introduced August 2, 2025 by Richard Blumenthal · Last progress August 8, 2025