The Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act of 2026 prohibits the government from reducing disability compensation paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs for service members who previously received separation pay or severance benefits. For those receiving retired or retainer pay, the bill limits the repayment of any owed separation funds to a maximum of 25 percent of their monthly pension and requires a 90-day notice period before deductions begin. The legislation also mandates that the Secretary of Defense consult with affected members on repayment rates to prevent undue financial hardship and allows for waivers if repayment would cause significant economic difficulty.
The Empowering States to Serve Veterans Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to share veterans' contact information with state veterans agencies at least quarterly for statistical analysis and outreach purposes. The bill strictly limits the shared data by excluding protected health information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and any financial or claims-related details. To protect privacy, the legislation mandates that veterans receive clear notice of this sharing and provides an accessible process for them to opt out at any time, which requires state agencies to immediately destroy any previously received data. State agencies must also implement federal-standard cybersecurity measures and demonstrate compliance before receiving any information.
The Mobile Medical Unit Rural Expansion Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to designate a specific office to oversee its mobile medical unit program and conduct a nationwide inventory of these vehicles. The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to assess the feasibility of mandating annual deployments of these units to rural or underserved areas to improve healthcare access for veterans. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive report to Congress identifying gaps in current capabilities, staffing, and funding barriers, as well as strategies for better engaging local veterans service organizations to optimize deployment locations.
The Mueller-Keating Memorial Highway Act designates a 26-mile stretch of Interstate 17 in Arizona as the Kayla Jean Mueller and Charles H. Keating IV Memorial Highway to honor a humanitarian aid worker and a Navy SEAL who both lost their lives while confronting ISIS. The bill specifies that this honorary designation applies to the section of the highway between milepost 237 near New River and milepost 263 near Cordes Junction, complementing but not replacing the existing Arizona Veterans Highway name. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to allow for memorial signage at the Sunset Point Rest Area and to list the new name in the Department of Transportation's official records. The legislation clarifies that this change is purely honorary, requiring no additional federal funding and causing no changes to official maps, addresses, or navigation systems.
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from reclassifying or renaming ongoing military contingency operations if troops are still engaged in hostilities against the same enemy, even during ceasefires or diplomatic negotiations. It requires that casualty records and statistics remain permanently attributed to the original operation, preventing administrative changes from obscuring the human cost of war or resetting cumulative counts. Additionally, the legislation ensures that service members and civilian employees retain eligibility for deployment-related benefits, awards, and leave based on the original operation designation rather than any subsequent administrative redesignation. The bill also mandates the immediate restoration of casualty records and benefits for personnel involved in operations against Iran since February 28, 2026, and requires written notice to affected families and individuals regarding these restorations.
The Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2026 establishes a three-year pilot program to provide grants to eligible veterans for starting or acquiring small businesses, franchises, or other qualifying enterprises. To receive funding, veterans must complete approved entrepreneurship training and submit a business plan that is reviewed and approved by an advisor before any money is disbursed. Grants are distributed in monthly installments over up to 12 months, contingent on the veteran meeting specific milestones outlined in their approved business plan. The program is limited to 250 recipients and requires geographic diversity among applicants, with a final report due two years after the program begins to assess its effectiveness.
This resolution designates August 16, 2026, as National Airborne Day to honor the history and contributions of U.S. airborne military forces. The bill calls on the American people to observe the day with programs and ceremonies celebrating the bravery and achievements of paratroopers and air assault units. It highlights the legacy of these forces, which began with the first official Army parachute jump on that date in 1940 and have since served in numerous conflicts worldwide. The measure serves as a commemorative recognition rather than a change to federal law or military operations.
This bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.
This bill strengthens protections for active-duty military personnel and recent veterans against harassment by debt collectors. It prohibits collectors from threatening to reduce a service member's rank, revoke their security clearance, or prosecute them under military law for failing to pay debts. Additionally, the legislation bans collectors from implying that a service member will face these specific penalties if they do not cooperate with collection efforts. To evaluate the law's impact, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study how these new rules affect debt information delivery, military readiness, and national security.
This resolution commemorates the first anniversary of a mass shooting at Fort Stewart, Georgia, that occurred on August 6, 2025. It formally recognizes the five soldiers who were wounded during the attack and honors the bravery of the unarmed soldiers who intervened to stop the shooter and provide first aid. The bill also acknowledges the support received from the community, including religious leaders and mental health professionals, and expresses solidarity with the victims, their families, and the base.
