Federal legislation aimed at helping military veterans is headed to the White House, thanks in part to efforts by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski.

Budzinski, a Springfield, Illinois Democrat who represents part of the Metro East area, was the House sponsor of the Improving Veterans’ Experience Act.

That legislation was approved this week by the House; it was approved by the Senate in April.

The act would make the Veterans Experience Office, a program that began 10 years ago, officially part of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The office is charged with getting feedback from veterans, their families and caregivers on their experiences with dealing with the VA.

Budzinski said, “The VEO has been a massive success when it comes to improving veterans’ trust in the VA, streamlining the customer experience, and expanding VA outreach,” she said.

The VA reports that since the office began, trust in the agency has increased by 25%, Budzinski noted.

A member of the House Veterans Affairs committee, Budzinski has spearheaded several measures this congressional session aimed at improving service for veterans.

Those measures include improving counseling service for female veterans who are victims of sexual trauma; simplifying application procedures for benefits; and requiring all military footwear to be American-made.

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, a Murphysboro Republican who also represents part of the Metro East, chairs the committee.