The STRIVE Act requires the government to investigate and report on racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in how veterans receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill is based on evidence showing that Black veterans, particularly Black men, are approved for disability benefits at significantly lower rates than white veterans—about 14 percent less likely to be approved. The bill also notes that Black service members face higher rates of disciplinary actions in the military, which can affect their eligibility for veteran benefits later on.

To address these disparities, the bill requires two main actions. First, the Government Accountability Office (an independent government watchdog) must submit a detailed report within six months examining discharge records and disability benefit applications over the past 15 years, broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender. Second, the Veterans Affairs Secretary must submit their own report within one year identifying the root causes of these disparities and create a three-year plan to fix them. The Secretary must then publicly report annually on their progress in implementing this plan.

Essentially, this bill is about transparency and accountability. It forces the government to collect and publish data on whether veterans are being treated fairly regardless of their race or gender, and it requires the VA to develop concrete solutions to eliminate any unfair treatment they discover. The goal is to ensure that all veterans who sacrificed for their country receive equal access to the benefits they've earned.