H.R. 3123: Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
Sponsor
Elise Stefanik
Republican · NY-21
What H.R. 3123 does
If the Department of Veterans Affairs awards a veteran a pension but the payment is issued after the veteran has died, H.R. 3123 would set out who receives it. It would go to the first available person on this list: the veteran's living spouse, living children, living dependent parents, or the veteran's estate, unless the estate would escheat, meaning pass to the state.
A claimant would have to apply for the unpaid benefits within one year of the veteran's death. If no one does, the pension would be paid to the estate unless the estate would escheat.
How the House voted
Passed · February 2, 20261 Democrat broke with their party to vote no
Lizzie FletcherOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 3123 Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act · Roll no. 50 · Official record
HR3123 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Feb 3, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
House: Vote: 405-1
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)
House: Committee Action
Oct 8, 2025
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.
House: Vote Held
Jul 23, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Jun 24, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
House: Committee Action
May 15, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
House: Committee Action
Apr 30, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Elise Stefanik
Republican, New York's 21st congressional district · 11 years in Congress
Committees: House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Education and Workforce, Armed Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (2)
All 2 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 2 states: California, Nevada.
Committee Sponsors
Veterans' Affairs Committee
0 of 19 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Veterans' Affairs Committee
0 of 25 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
24 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 3123 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Veterans' Affairs
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Introduced
- Apr 30, 2025
Passed the House, received in Senate
Feb 3, 2026
H.R. 3123 Bill Text
“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.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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