Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2026

Last action on Apr 2, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 498.

Summary

The Representing our Seniors at VA Act proposes to change the leadership structure of the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee within the Veterans Health Administration. Specifically, it would require the committee to include a representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes who is a licensed nursing home administrator. This change aims to ensure that professional expertise in long-term care management is directly represented when the Department of Veterans Affairs makes decisions regarding elderly veterans.

If enacted, the bill would also mandate that the advisory committee consult with the National Association of State Veterans Homes on relevant matters. For everyday citizens and veterans, this could lead to better coordination between federal VA services and state-run veterans' homes. By bringing specialized administrative experience to the table, the bill seeks to improve the quality of care and the efficiency of facilities that serve the nation's aging veteran population.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Mar 4, 2025

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Jun 12, 2025

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”

Committee

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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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

Committee

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

View full hearing

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

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-578.

Apr 2, 2026

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-578.

Apr 2, 2026

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Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2026

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Bill Information

Sponsors & Co-sponsors (19)

Cosponsors (18)

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Legislative Subjects (4)

Committees (1)

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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