H.J.Res. 144: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".
Sponsor
Julia Brownley
Democrat · CA-26
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jan 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Congress moves to void a VA reproductive health rule
Why it matters
One congressional vote could erase a VA reproductive health rule nationwide. H.J. Res. 144 says the Department of Veterans Affairs rule published on December 31, 2025 would have "no force or effect," meaning the policy disappears instead of being revised.
H.J. Res. 144 is a Congressional Review Act resolution aimed at one specific VA rule: "Reproductive Health Services," published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2025.
If Congress passes the resolution and it becomes law, that rule is canceled outright. The text says it would have "no force or effect," which means the VA would lose the rule rather than keep part of it.
The resolution does not set out a replacement policy. It is a yes-or-no vote on whether this VA reproductive health rule should continue to exist.
H.J.Res. 144 Bill Summary
What H.J.Res. 144 actually does.
A single VA rule gets targeted
H.J. Res. 144 applies to one Department of Veterans Affairs rule only: "Reproductive Health Services," published on December 31, 2025.
The rule is canceled outright
The resolution says Congress disapproves the rule and that it would have "no force or effect." That means repeal, not a partial rewrite.
Congress uses a fast-track review tool
The measure uses the Congressional Review Act, which lets Congress vote to disapprove a recently issued federal rule.
No replacement policy is included
The text does not create a new reproductive health framework for the VA. It only removes the existing rule.
The fight centers on veterans’ care policy
Because the targeted rule belongs to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the practical effects would fall on VA policy and the veterans who rely on that system.
Who benefits from H.J.Res. 144?
People who want this VA rule removed
Anyone who opposes the VA's reproductive health rule would get the outcome they want: the policy would be struck down in full.
Lawmakers pushing tighter control over agency rules
Members of Congress who want the legislative branch to overrule this VA action would gain a clear institutional win if the resolution passes.
Backers of H.J. Res. 144
Rep. Julia Brownley and the resolution's 148 cosponsors would secure a visible policy victory if Congress cancels the rule.
Who is affected by H.J.Res. 144?
Veterans who use VA health care
If you rely on the VA for reproductive health-related care or guidance, your care framework could change because the rule would be erased without a replacement in this resolution.
Department of Veterans Affairs officials
VA administrators would have to stop relying on the disapproved rule if H.J. Res. 144 becomes law.
Congress and the White House
Passing this resolution would require both chambers and presidential approval, so the outcome depends on broader political support, not just committee action.
What Congress Is Saying
H.J.Res. 144 hasn't been debated on the floor yet.
This section updates when a legislator speaks about it on the floor or in committee.
HJRES144 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Jan 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Julia Brownley
Democrat, California's 26th congressional district · 13 years in Congress
Committees: Veterans' Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources
View full profile →
Cosponsors (148)
All 148 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 36 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, and 33 more.
Mark Takano
Democrat · CA
Chris Pappas
Democrat · NH
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Democrat · FL
Morgan McGarvey
Democrat · KY
Delia Ramirez
Democrat · IL
Nikki Budzinski
Democrat · IL
Timothy Kennedy
Democrat · NY
Maxine Dexter
Democrat · OR
Herbert Conaway
Democrat · NJ
Kelly Morrison
Democrat · MN
Teresa Leger Fernandez
Democrat · NM
Diana DeGette
Democrat · CO
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Veterans' Affairs Committee
9 of 24 committee members cosponsored
1 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.J.Res. 144 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Veterans' Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Jan 27, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 27, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page for H.J. Res. 144 with status, text, sponsors, and actions.
The resolution uses the Congressional Review Act process codified in chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code.
Official Federal Register issue date that includes the VA rule cited in the resolution as 90 Fed. Reg. 61310.
Official Federal Register government resource that can be used to verify and retrieve metadata about the cited VA rule.
Official VA homepage for the agency whose rule would be nullified by H.J. Res. 144.
National Archives page explaining the Federal Register system where the targeted VA rule was published.
Official House committee page for the committee to which H.J. Res. 144 was referred.
H.J.Res. 144 Common Questions
What does H.J. Res. 144 actually do?
It would cancel one VA rule called "Reproductive Health Services." The resolution says that rule would have "no force or effect," meaning it would be wiped out entirely.
Does H.J. Res. 144 change the VA rule or erase it?
Erase it. This is not a rewrite. If H.J. Res. 144 becomes law, the targeted VA rule would no longer be in effect.
Which VA rule is targeted by H.J. Res. 144?
It targets the Department of Veterans Affairs rule titled "Reproductive Health Services," published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2025.
Is H.J. Res. 144 a broad reproductive health bill?
No. It is narrowly aimed at one specific VA rule. The text does not create a new reproductive health policy or replacement program.
How would H.J. Res. 144 block the rule?
It uses the Congressional Review Act, which lets Congress vote to disapprove a federal agency rule. If that vote succeeds and becomes law, the rule is canceled.
Would veterans notice a direct change if H.J. Res. 144 passes?
Potentially, yes. Veterans who rely on VA reproductive health policy could see changes because the current rule would be removed and this resolution does not include a replacement.
Does H.J. Res. 144 include any new funding or benefits?
No. The text does not add money, grants, or new benefits. Its purpose is to nullify a VA rule, not fund a new program.
What has to happen before H.J. Res. 144 takes effect?
It has to move through committee, pass the House and Senate, and be signed into law. Right now, it has been referred to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Based on H.J.Res. 144 bill text
H.J.Res. 144 Bill Text
“Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to “Reproductive Health Services”.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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