House Misses Vote on 60-Bill Veterans Package Affecting 59,000 Combat-Injured Retirees
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 23
House Misses Vote on 60-Bill Veterans Package Affecting 59,000 Combat-Injured Retirees
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 23
Summary
A House vote failed to happen on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, stalling a package that would advance more than 60 long-delayed veterans, caregiver and survivor benefit measures.
At the center is the Major Richard Star Act, which would end a retirement-disability offset that has reduced pay for more than 59,000 combat-injured veterans medically retired before 20 years of service.
The package also includes caregiver support, suicide prevention, expanded survivor benefits and the Love Lives On Act, while advocates say 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers provide unpaid care worth more than $400 billion a year.
A funding fight remains a key obstacle: the VA plans to finalize sleep apnea and tinnitus rating changes by fiscal year-end, and supporters say without the bill those savings could flow back to the Treasury instead of veterans’ benefits.
Veterans groups and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation say the missed vote increases pressure on both the House and Senate to act, framing the measure as a rare chance to lock long-promised support into law.
Is a landmark veterans bill being funded by cutting benefits for future generations of servicemembers?
Stalemate Over H.R. 9237: How the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act Divided Congress and Veterans’ Groups in 2026
Overview
In July 2026, the House of Representatives unexpectedly postponed a final vote on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act after intense debate. Despite rejecting a motion to send the bill back to committee, House leaders announced the package would be delayed for weeks. This decision puts expanded benefits and controversial changes to disability ratings on hold, leaving millions of veterans and their families uncertain about their future support. The stalemate highlights deep divisions over how to fund new benefits, with the fate of significant reforms and veterans’ earned compensation now in limbo.