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H.R. 3123 119th Congress House

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to laws relating to the payment of certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Vetera… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to laws relating to the payment of certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that are affected by death, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 30, 2025 Introduced by: Elise M. Stefanik Republican · New York See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security Family relationshipsVeterans' pensions and compensation
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 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 3, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 2, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 2, 2026
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)
Feb 2, 2026
At 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.
Feb 2, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1937-1938)
Feb 2, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3123.
Feb 2, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1930-1932)
Feb 2, 2026
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 8, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 291.
Oct 8, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.
Jul 23, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 23, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 23, 2025
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
Jun 24, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
May 15, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Apr 30, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 2, 2026 House · vote #50 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 405–1 See who voted →
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What's happening now February 3, 2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Lobbying activity 6

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

Bodies those filers lobbied

A filing lists the bills it worked on and the parts of government it contacted in separate sections, so these are the bodies those filers named anywhere in the filing, not a per-bill breakdown.

 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Lee, Susie
Nevada · Sep 30, 2025
 D
Khanna, Ro
California · Apr 30, 2025
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3123: Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-3123/
MLA
"H.R. 3123: Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-3123/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3123, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-3123/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3123: Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-HR-3123/)
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