WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 3123 · 119th Congress

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Passed HouseArmed Forces and National Security
IntroducedApr 30, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 2, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Feb 3, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The House passed it 405–1. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra did not vote, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

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H.R. 3123 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Feb 3, 2026).

38 U.S.C. 5503 Hospitalized veterans and estates of incompetent institutionalized veterans

  • (d) (1) For the purposes of this subsection— changed · Sec. 3 · see the words

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Payment by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances
What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(7)changedby H.R. 3123 Sec. 3

    The bill says: Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking "January 31, 2033" and inserting "February 28, 2033".

    Bill text · Current law (38 U.S.C. 5503)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

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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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Apr 30, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. 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) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  2. Oct 8, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.Library of Congress
  3. Apr 30, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 20 recorded actions

Recorded votes

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  1. Feb 2, 2026 · HousePassed 405–1
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra did not vote, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 204 yes, 0 noD 201 yes, 1 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Ro Khanna D-CA-17
  • Susie Lee D-NV-3