Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
This bill ensures that unpaid veterans' pension benefits due at the time of a veteran's death are paid to surviving family members in a specific order: first the spouse, then children equally, then dependent parents equally, and finally the estate (unless it would otherwise go to the state). It applies to veterans approved for pension benefits before death but whose payments are issued after death. Family members must apply within one year of the veteran's death to claim the benefits; otherwise, the unpaid amount goes to the estate. The law directly affects surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of veterans who qualify for pension benefits.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Apr 30, 2025
Last action Feb 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced in House
→
Engrossed in House
·
1 edit
·
Feb 2, 2026
MINOR
The Engrossed version of HR 3123 adds a new Section 3 that extends a deadline for certain pension payment limits from January 31, 2033 to February 28, 2033. This is a one-month extension of an existing sunset provision in veterans benefits law. The rest of the bill (the core accrued veterans benefits payment provisions) remains unchanged.
TIMELINE
New Section 3 amends 38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(7) to extend a pension payment limit deadline by one month, from January 31, 2033 to February 28, 2033.
Floor votes · House Feb 2, 2026
How they voted
405–1
Passed · 26 other
Total votes 432
Feb 2, 2026
D
Democratic214
93% Yea
I
Independent1
100% Yea
R
Republican217
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
5
Committee
7
Amendments
3
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
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)
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed/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)
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
lower
Oct 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-339.
lower
Jul 23, 2025
Introduced
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
lower
Jul 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Jul 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged
lower
Jun 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Hearings Held
lower
May 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Elise M. Stefanik
RRepublican
Co
Ro Khanna
DDemocratic
Co
Susie Lee
DDemocratic
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