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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7174

New Bill Would Require Congress to Fund Veterans' Care Whenever a New War is Declared

To require the inclusion of an authorization of appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs in any authorization for use of military force or declaration of war.

Also known as: Full Cost of War Act

2 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced by Representative Deluzio, would require Congress to approve funding for veterans' healthcare and benefits at the same time they authorize a new war or military action.
  • If passed, any future vote to go to war must include a plan to pay for the long-term costs of caring for the soldiers who fight in it, including medical care and disability payments.
  • The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs would work together to determine exactly how much money is needed to cover the specific needs of veterans returning from that conflict.
  • The goal of this policy is to ensure that the government considers the 'full cost of war'—including the care of veterans years after a conflict ends—before the country commits to military action.
VeteransNational Security

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Positive Impacts(4)
Military Veteran
Helps

Would guarantee that funding for veterans' medical care and disability benefits is built into any future war authorization.

Veterans Benefits
Helps

Requires Congress to authorize VA funding for medical care and disability compensation whenever it approves a new military action.

Disability Benefits
Helps

Future war authorizations would have to include money for disability compensation for service members injured in that conflict.

Military Active
Helps

Active service members would know that if sent to war, Congress has already committed to funding their post-service care.

Broader Impacts

Score
Scores: -5 (harmful) to +5 (beneficial)Short-term: 0-2 yearsLong-term: 10-30 years

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 21, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To require the inclusion of an authorization of appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs in any authorization for use of military force or declaration of war.

Bill NumberHR 7174
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.