Summary
This legislation proposes to expand the support system for family members who provide full-time care to veterans. If enacted, the bill would allow primary caregivers to keep their medical coverage for 180 days after leaving the program, provided they were not removed for misconduct. It also aims to provide these individuals with bereavement counseling, retirement planning services, and a formal study into creating a dedicated retirement savings plan for caregivers.
To help caregivers re-enter the workforce, the bill would require the VA to offer job placement assistance and transition support both during and after their time as a caregiver. The VA would also be required to work with the Department of Labor to study the best ways to help these individuals find employment. Finally, government auditors would be tasked with reviewing how effectively the VA is helping caregivers move into the next phase of their lives and careers.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 4, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 12, 2025
HearingHouseHearing7 witnesses
Jun 12, 2025 · 18:15
Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 785, The Representing Our Seniors at VA Act of 2025, H.R. 2068, The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, H.R. 2605, The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, H.R. 3400, The Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025, Discussion Draft: To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes, Discussion Draft: The VA Data Transparency and Trust Act, Discussion Draft: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study to determine whether RNA sequencing can be used to effectively diagnose PTSD in veterans, Discussion Draft: The Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025, Discussion Draft: The Fisher House Availability Act of 2025, H.R. 1404, The CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act of 2025, H.R. 2148, The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act, Discussion Draft: The VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act
Committee
HealthSummary
On June 12, 2025, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health conducted a legislative hearing on a comprehensive package of veterans-related legislation. The bills examined included H.R. 785 (expanding the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee), H.R. 1404 (extending CHAMPVA benefits for children to age 26), H.R. 2068 (improving patient advocacy services for rural veterans), H.R. 2605 (the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act), H.R. 3400 (the TRAVEL Act to provide medical services in U.S. territories), H.R. 2148 (the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act), and several discussion drafts addressing smoking bans at VA facilities, VA data transparency, PTSD diagnosis research, health professional scholarships, and Fisher House availability. Testimony came from Department of Veterans Affairs officials, including Deputy Assistant Under Secretary Antoinette Shappell and Deputy Executive Director Dr. Ilsa Wiechers, as well as representatives from veterans organizations and advocacy groups. The American Legion testified in support of nearly all bills, emphasizing their commitment to improving mental health outcomes, suicide prevention, and provider shortages. The VA expressed support for some bills while raising concerns about others, particularly H.R. 1404, which the department opposed due to resource constraints, and H.R. 785, for which the VA noted it had already appointed a state veterans home representative to the advisory committee in 2024. Key themes included expanding mental health services and suicide prevention, improving access to care for rural and territorial veterans, supporting military families through extended healthcare coverage, and enhancing caregiver support. The hearing did not result in immediate committee votes; the bills now proceed through the normal legislative process, with no guarantee of advancement.
Video
Witnesses(7)
| Name | Position | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Antoinete ShappellVeteran Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs | Deputy Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services | |
| Dr. Isle WiechersVHA Office of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs | Deputy Executive Director | |
| Mr. Cole LyleVeterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion | Director | |
| Mr. David CokerFisher House Foundation | President | |
| Mr. John SchmittiXpressGenes | CEO | |
| Mr. Randy Johnson | ||
| Mrs. Caira BensonElizabeth Dole Foundation | Caregiver Fellow |
HearingHouseMarkup
Jul 23, 2025 · 14:15
Markup on: H.R. 740, Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act of 2025; H.R. 1663, Veterans Scam And Fraud Evasion Act of 2025; H. R. 3400, the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act; H. R. 3726, Fisher House Availability Act of 2025; H. R. 3767, Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025; H.R. 2605, Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act; H.R. 2137, Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025; H. R. 3123, Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act; H.R. 3834, Protecting Veteran’s Claim Options Act; H.R. 3854, Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act; H.R. 3951, Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025; H.R. 3483, Forcing Real Accountability for Unlawful Distributions Act of 2025; H.R. 3482, Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act; H. R. 3494, VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act; H.R. 3455, Veterans Affairs Distributed Ledger Innovation Act of 2025; H.R. 2334, To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to preempt any squatter’s rights established by State law regarding real property owned by a member of the uniformed services; H.R. 2791, To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount of housing loan guaranty entitlement available to certain veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; H R. 3481, Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025; H.R. 3579, Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act; H.R. 3863, VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act; H.R. 659, Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025; H. R. 2701, Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act; H.R. 2721, Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025; H.R. 2034, Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act; H. R. 2954, Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act of 2025; H.R. 3812, Stop Troubling Retroactive Invoices for Veteran Expenses Act of 2025; H.R. 2148, Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act; H.R. 4446, FAST VETS Act; Major Medical Lease Committee Resolution FY25; Major Medical Lease Committee Resolution PACT Act.
Summary
On July 23, 2025, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a markup session to consider 30 bills aimed at improving veterans' services and benefits. The bills addressed a wide range of issues including mental health outreach, rural healthcare access, caregiver support, fraud prevention, claims processing modernization, housing assistance, and vocational training. Among the bills considered were the Veterans' ACCESS Act, which would expand healthcare provider participation in the VA Community Care program; the VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act; the Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act; and the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act, which would support job training for veterans. During the markup, Rep. Tom Barrett offered an amendment to the Veterans' ACCESS Act to explicitly include hearing aid specialists in the VA Community Care program. The committee also reviewed resolutions related to medical leases and the PACT Act. No formal testimony from external witnesses was recorded for this markup session. A markup is a procedural step where a committee refines and votes on bills before they advance to the full House, but passage through markup does not guarantee the bills will become law.
Video
HearingHouseMarkup
Jan 14, 2026 · 15:15
H.R. 6047, the “Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2025”; H.R. 3726, the “Fisher House Availability Act of 2025”; H.R. 3482, the “Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act”; H.R. 785, the “Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025”; H.R. 2148, the “Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act”
Summary
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs scheduled a legislative hearing for January 14, 2026 to examine five bills related to veterans benefits and services. The hearing was postponed and rescheduled for a later date, so no testimony was taken or committee discussion occurred on that date. The bills under consideration included H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would increase VA monthly compensation for catastrophically disabled veterans and surviving families. H.R. 3726, the Fisher House Availability Act; H.R. 3482, the Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act; H.R. 785, the Representing our Seniors at VA Act; and H.R. 2148, the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act were also on the agenda. Since the hearing was postponed, the committee has not yet advanced or voted on any of these measures.
Subcommittee on Health Discharged
Feb 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 12, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Feb 12, 2026
HearingHouseMarkup
Feb 12, 2026 · 14:00
H.R. 6047, the “Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026”; H.R. 3726, the “Fisher House Availability Act of 2025”; H.R. 3482, the “Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act”; H.R. 785, the “Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025”; H.R. 2148, the “Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
Summary
On February 12, 2026, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a markup session to consider five bills affecting veterans' benefits and services. The primary bill examined was H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would increase monthly compensation for catastrophically disabled veterans and surviving families of deceased veterans for the first time in decades. The bill also includes provisions for home loan fee adjustments and expanded eligibility for military reserves. The committee also advanced H.R. 3726 (Fisher House Availability Act), which expands eligibility for temporary VA lodging facilities to active-duty servicemembers and veterans; H.R. 3482 (Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act), which establishes an online scheduling system for veterans to access non-VA healthcare providers; H.R. 785 (Representing our Seniors at VA Act), which adds a representative from state veterans homes to the VA's Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; and H.R. 2148 (Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act), which expands support for family caregivers after their caregiving duties end. The markup session revealed significant partisan disagreement, particularly over H.R. 6047. Republicans supported the bill on a near party-line vote of 13-10, while Democrats opposed it primarily due to its funding mechanism, which charges disabled veterans rated at 70 percent or less a fee on VA home loan refinances to offset costs. Democrats proposed alternative funding sources, including redirecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding, but these amendments failed. Despite the controversy over funding, the committee advanced all five bills to the full House for consideration. The bills now move forward in the legislative process, though passage is not guaranteed.
Video
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Apr 4, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jun 12, 2025
HearingHouseHearing7 witnesses
Jun 12, 2025 · 18:15
Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 785, The Representing Our Seniors at VA Act of 2025, H.R. 2068, The Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, H.R. 2605, The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act, H.R. 3400, The Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare (TRAVEL) Act of 2025, Discussion Draft: To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes, Discussion Draft: The VA Data Transparency and Trust Act, Discussion Draft: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study to determine whether RNA sequencing can be used to effectively diagnose PTSD in veterans, Discussion Draft: The Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025, Discussion Draft: The Fisher House Availability Act of 2025, H.R. 1404, The CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act of 2025, H.R. 2148, The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act, Discussion Draft: The VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act
Committee
HealthSummary
On June 12, 2025, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health conducted a legislative hearing on a comprehensive package of veterans-related legislation. The bills examined included H.R. 785 (expanding the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee), H.R. 1404 (extending CHAMPVA benefits for children to age 26), H.R. 2068 (improving patient advocacy services for rural veterans), H.R. 2605 (the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act), H.R. 3400 (the TRAVEL Act to provide medical services in U.S. territories), H.R. 2148 (the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act), and several discussion drafts addressing smoking bans at VA facilities, VA data transparency, PTSD diagnosis research, health professional scholarships, and Fisher House availability. Testimony came from Department of Veterans Affairs officials, including Deputy Assistant Under Secretary Antoinette Shappell and Deputy Executive Director Dr. Ilsa Wiechers, as well as representatives from veterans organizations and advocacy groups. The American Legion testified in support of nearly all bills, emphasizing their commitment to improving mental health outcomes, suicide prevention, and provider shortages. The VA expressed support for some bills while raising concerns about others, particularly H.R. 1404, which the department opposed due to resource constraints, and H.R. 785, for which the VA noted it had already appointed a state veterans home representative to the advisory committee in 2024. Key themes included expanding mental health services and suicide prevention, improving access to care for rural and territorial veterans, supporting military families through extended healthcare coverage, and enhancing caregiver support. The hearing did not result in immediate committee votes; the bills now proceed through the normal legislative process, with no guarantee of advancement.
Video
Witnesses(7)
| Name | Position | Links |
|---|---|---|
| Antoinete ShappellVeteran Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs | Deputy Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services | |
| Dr. Isle WiechersVHA Office of Mental Health, Department of Veterans Affairs | Deputy Executive Director | |
| Mr. Cole LyleVeterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion | Director | |
| Mr. David CokerFisher House Foundation | President | |
| Mr. John SchmittiXpressGenes | CEO | |
| Mr. Randy Johnson | ||
| Mrs. Caira BensonElizabeth Dole Foundation | Caregiver Fellow |
HearingHouseMarkup
Jul 23, 2025 · 14:15
Markup on: H.R. 740, Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers Act of 2025; H.R. 1663, Veterans Scam And Fraud Evasion Act of 2025; H. R. 3400, the Territorial Response and Access to Veterans’ Essential Lifecare Act; H. R. 3726, Fisher House Availability Act of 2025; H. R. 3767, Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025; H.R. 2605, Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act; H.R. 2137, Review Every Veterans Claim Act of 2025; H. R. 3123, Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act; H.R. 3834, Protecting Veteran’s Claim Options Act; H.R. 3854, Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act; H.R. 3951, Rural Veterans’ Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2025; H.R. 3483, Forcing Real Accountability for Unlawful Distributions Act of 2025; H.R. 3482, Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act; H. R. 3494, VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act; H.R. 3455, Veterans Affairs Distributed Ledger Innovation Act of 2025; H.R. 2334, To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to preempt any squatter’s rights established by State law regarding real property owned by a member of the uniformed services; H.R. 2791, To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum amount of housing loan guaranty entitlement available to certain veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; H R. 3481, Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act of 2025; H.R. 3579, Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act; H.R. 3863, VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act; H.R. 659, Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025; H. R. 2701, Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act; H.R. 2721, Honoring Our Heroes Act of 2025; H.R. 2034, Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act; H. R. 2954, Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act of 2025; H.R. 3812, Stop Troubling Retroactive Invoices for Veteran Expenses Act of 2025; H.R. 2148, Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act; H.R. 4446, FAST VETS Act; Major Medical Lease Committee Resolution FY25; Major Medical Lease Committee Resolution PACT Act.
Summary
On July 23, 2025, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a markup session to consider 30 bills aimed at improving veterans' services and benefits. The bills addressed a wide range of issues including mental health outreach, rural healthcare access, caregiver support, fraud prevention, claims processing modernization, housing assistance, and vocational training. Among the bills considered were the Veterans' ACCESS Act, which would expand healthcare provider participation in the VA Community Care program; the VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act; the Rural Veterans' Improved Access to Benefits Act; and the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act, which would support job training for veterans. During the markup, Rep. Tom Barrett offered an amendment to the Veterans' ACCESS Act to explicitly include hearing aid specialists in the VA Community Care program. The committee also reviewed resolutions related to medical leases and the PACT Act. No formal testimony from external witnesses was recorded for this markup session. A markup is a procedural step where a committee refines and votes on bills before they advance to the full House, but passage through markup does not guarantee the bills will become law.
Video
HearingHouseMarkup
Jan 14, 2026 · 15:15
H.R. 6047, the “Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2025”; H.R. 3726, the “Fisher House Availability Act of 2025”; H.R. 3482, the “Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act”; H.R. 785, the “Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025”; H.R. 2148, the “Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act”
Summary
The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs scheduled a legislative hearing for January 14, 2026 to examine five bills related to veterans benefits and services. The hearing was postponed and rescheduled for a later date, so no testimony was taken or committee discussion occurred on that date. The bills under consideration included H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would increase VA monthly compensation for catastrophically disabled veterans and surviving families. H.R. 3726, the Fisher House Availability Act; H.R. 3482, the Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act; H.R. 785, the Representing our Seniors at VA Act; and H.R. 2148, the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act were also on the agenda. Since the hearing was postponed, the committee has not yet advanced or voted on any of these measures.
Subcommittee on Health Discharged
Feb 5, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 12, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Feb 12, 2026
HearingHouseMarkup
Feb 12, 2026 · 14:00
H.R. 6047, the “Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026”; H.R. 3726, the “Fisher House Availability Act of 2025”; H.R. 3482, the “Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act”; H.R. 785, the “Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025”; H.R. 2148, the “Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
Summary
On February 12, 2026, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a markup session to consider five bills affecting veterans' benefits and services. The primary bill examined was H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would increase monthly compensation for catastrophically disabled veterans and surviving families of deceased veterans for the first time in decades. The bill also includes provisions for home loan fee adjustments and expanded eligibility for military reserves. The committee also advanced H.R. 3726 (Fisher House Availability Act), which expands eligibility for temporary VA lodging facilities to active-duty servicemembers and veterans; H.R. 3482 (Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act), which establishes an online scheduling system for veterans to access non-VA healthcare providers; H.R. 785 (Representing our Seniors at VA Act), which adds a representative from state veterans homes to the VA's Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee; and H.R. 2148 (Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act), which expands support for family caregivers after their caregiving duties end. The markup session revealed significant partisan disagreement, particularly over H.R. 6047. Republicans supported the bill on a near party-line vote of 13-10, while Democrats opposed it primarily due to its funding mechanism, which charges disabled veterans rated at 70 percent or less a fee on VA home loan refinances to offset costs. Democrats proposed alternative funding sources, including redirecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding, but these amendments failed. Despite the controversy over funding, the committee advanced all five bills to the full House for consideration. The bills now move forward in the legislative process, though passage is not guaranteed.
Video
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Mar 14, 2025
