Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · Apr 30, 2025
2. Committee Done · Apr 30, 2025
3. Passed House Done · Feb 2, 2026
4. Passed Senate Not yet
5. President Not yet
6. Law Not yet

From the official actions on Congress.gov.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

The Congressional Budget Office published a cost estimate on Oct 7, 2025 (as ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on July 23, 2025): H.R. 3123, Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act ↗

Where it stands

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Feb 3, 2026)

What happens next

The Senate would need to pass it next.

Official summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House version), via Congress.gov. These are proposed provisions, not enacted law.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageFeb 2, 2026 · roll call 50

   On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: Passed (405–1)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 50

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	201	1	0	12
   Republican	204	0	0	14
   Independent	0	0	0	0

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Map: how each state voted

   All voted YesSplitAll voted NoNo Yes or No votes

   Each state is shaded by the share of its U.S. House members who voted Yes, out of those who voted Yes or No. Colors show the vote, not party.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

1. Feb 3, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2. Feb 2, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3. 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)
4. 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)
5. Feb 2, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1937-1938)
6. 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.
7. Feb 2, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3123.
8. Feb 2, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1930-1932)
9. Feb 2, 2026Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
10. Oct 8, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 291.
11. Oct 8, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.
12. Oct 8, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.
13. Jul 23, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
14. Jul 23, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
15. Jul 23, 2025Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
16. Jun 24, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
17. May 15, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
18. Apr 30, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
19. Apr 30, 2025Introduced in House
20. Apr 30, 2025Introduced in House