Congress·In Progress·H.R. 6993

BEACON Act of 2026

Congress Proposes $60 Million for New Veteran Brain Injury Research and Suicide Prevention Programs

Jan 9·View on Congress.gov

Part of: Congress Doubles Proposed Funding for Veteran Brain Injury Research

Next up: A house committee

A house committee must act next: committee consideration.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill creates a new grant program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to find better ways to treat veterans with mild traumatic brain injuries. It focuses on brain rehabilitation, which helps the brain recover and function better after an injury, specifically for those dealing with long-term symptoms.
The program would give up to $5 million per year to universities, nonprofits, and private healthcare providers to test new treatments. These projects will focus on care that puts the patient first and explores options that do not rely only on traditional drugs or medicine.
A major goal of this research is to improve mental health and lower the risk of suicide among veterans. By finding better ways to treat brain injuries, the program aims to reduce depression and substance use issues that often affect those who have suffered head trauma during their military service.
The plan would run for three years and includes $30 million for the main treatment grants plus another $10 million each year for independent research studies. The VA would be required to report back to Congress on which treatments work best so they can be used more widely in the future.

VeteransHealthcareMedicare Medicaid

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Positive Impacts(3)

Military Veteran

Helps

Veterans with mild traumatic brain injuries would gain access to new research-backed treatments and rehabilitation options.

Veterans Benefits

Helps

Creates two new grant programs totaling $60M to develop and test better brain injury treatments through the VA.

Mental Health

Helps

Research specifically targets reducing depression, substance use, and suicide risk tied to brain injuries in veterans.

Milestones

4 milestones7 actions

May 14, 2026House

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 10.

The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.

May 14, 2026House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Apr 16, 2026House

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 7 - 5.

Apr 16, 2026House

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jan 22, 2026House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Related News

2 articles

Military.com·Feb 5

Veterans' 2026 Priorities Put Health Care, Suicide Prevention to Congress

Lawmakers are pushing the BEACON Act as a top 2026 priority to address the veteran suicide crisis by expanding access to innovative, non-pharmacological TBI treatments outside of traditional VA facilities.

Center

The Alpena News·Jan 9

Bergman, Elfreth Introduce BEACON Act to expand care for veterans with traumatic brain injury

Bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Bergman and Elfreth seeks to modernize VA brain injury care through two new grant programs targeting neurorehabilitation and independent research.

Center

No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.