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119th Congress Armed Forces and National Security

H.R. 3123: Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Passed HouseFeb 2, 2026

  1. Introduced (completed)Apr 30, 2025
  2. Passed House (completed)Feb 2, 2026, 405–1
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Apr 30, 2025

This bill establishes procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a pension that was due but unpaid at the time of a veteran’s death. Specifically, if the VA issues a decision awarding entitlement to a pension to a veteran prior to the veteran’s death but issues the payment after the veteran dies, the pension must be paid to the first available recipient on the following list: (1) the veteran’s living spouse; (2) the veteran’s living children; (3) the veteran’s living dependent parents; or (4) the estate of the veteran, unless the estate will escheat (i.e., transfer to the state). To be eligible for such pension payments, a claimant of accrued benefits must file an application within one year after the veteran's death.

If no application for accrued benefits is filed within one year following the death of the veteran, the pension must be paid to the veteran’s estate unless the estate will escheat.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Feb 2, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Passed 405–1

Yea 405two-thirds 271Nay 1

  • Democrats201 yea, 1 nay
  • Republicans203 yea, 0 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) voted Nay

See how all 406 members voted

Showing 432 of 432 members

Yea 405

Republicans (203)

Democrats (201)

Independents (1)

Nay 1

Democrats (1) broke with their party

Not voting 26

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House Feb 2, 2026. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Feb 2, 2026HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as AmendedFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 405–1
    Roll call 50 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats2011012
    Republicans2030014
    Independents1000
    Total4051026

    House roll call 50: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended. Passed.

    1 crossed party lines: 1 Democrat

    How each member voted (432)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

2

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

82 points earned
  1. 1Elise Stefanik R-NY SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, marked up, reported, passed House5 events+68
  2. 2Lizzie Fletcher D-TX1 maverick vote1 event+6
  3. 3Ro Khanna D-CACosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  4. 3Susie Lee D-NVCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Elise Stefanik

History

  1. Feb 2, 2026Passed the House, 405–1.
  2. Apr 30, 2025Introduced in the House by Elise Stefanik.
Show the full action history (18 actions)
  1. Feb 3, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  2. Feb 2, 2026Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  3. Feb 2, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1930-1932)
  4. Feb 2, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3123.
  5. Feb 2, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  6. Feb 2, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1937-1938)
  7. Feb 2, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 1 (Roll no. 50). (text: CR H1930-1931)
  8. Feb 2, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 1 (Roll no. 50). (text: CR H1930-1931)
  9. Feb 2, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  10. Oct 8, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.
  11. Oct 8, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 291.
  12. Jul 23, 2025Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
  13. Jul 23, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  14. Jul 23, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  15. Jun 24, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
  16. May 15, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  17. Apr 30, 2025Introduced in House
  18. Apr 30, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.