Bills · 119th Congress · Armed Forces and National Security

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Where it stands

  1. Introduced4/30/25
  2. Passed HousePassed 2/2/26
  3. Senate
  4. President
  5. Law

Passed the House 405–1 on February 2, 2026 (Roll Call 50 →). Received in the Senate on February 3, 2026. No Senate action since.

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · 2/2/26Suspension of the rulesA fast-track House procedure, usually for measures expected to have broad support. Debate is limited to 40 minutes, no amendments can be offered, and it needs a two-thirds vote of members voting — not a simple majority. A yes vote passes the bill. “As amended” means changes written into the motion itself are included.Rules of the House, Rule XV, clause 1 ↗
Passed
  • Democratic201 Yea · 1 Nay · 12 Not voting
  • Republican204 Yea · 0 Nay · 14 Not voting
  • Independent / Other0 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

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.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Elise M. Stefanik ( Republican · NY-21)
Cosponsors
2
Introduced
4/30/25
Policy area
Armed Forces and National Security

What happens next

The Senate must pass the same text, then it goes to the President.

If it isn't enacted by Jan 3, 2027, it expires when the 119th Congress ends.

All actions (18)
  1. 4/30/25Introduced in House
  2. 4/30/25Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  3. 5/15/25Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
  4. 6/24/25Subcommittee Hearings Held
  5. 7/23/25Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
  6. 7/23/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  7. 7/23/25Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  8. 10/8/25Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.
  9. 10/8/25Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 291.
  10. 2/2/26Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  11. 2/2/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1930-1932)
  12. 2/2/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3123.
  13. 2/2/26At 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.
  14. 2/2/26Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1937-1938)
  15. 2/2/26Passed/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)
  16. 2/2/26On 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)
  17. 2/2/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  18. 2/3/26Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.