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Congress·In Committee·about 1 month ago

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

Also known as: Full Cost of War Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

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.

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

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 21, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles
Econostrum·about 1 month ago

Massive VA Health Overhaul Incoming, The $4.8 Billion Plan That's About to Change Everything

This historic infrastructure investment arrives alongside the Full Cost of War Act, proposed by Reps. Deluzio and Lieu. The legislation would mandate that lawmakers authorize VA healthcare funding simultaneously with any new military force authorizations to prevent care from being an afterthought.

C=
The Hill·12 months ago

Veterans 'sense' Republicans are 'trying to privatize' the VA: Rep. Deluzio

Iraq War veteran Rep. Chris Deluzio discusses the critical need for sustained VA funding and staffing. Deluzio emphasizes that the nation has a 'sacred obligation' to fully fund the VA, a principle central to his legislative efforts to tie military authorizations to veteran care appropriations.

C~
Military Times·6 months ago

House passes $893 billion defense policy bill with war powers repeal

The House approved a massive defense authorization bill that includes guidelines for service member pay and benefits. The debate highlighted ongoing efforts by veteran lawmakers to reform war powers and ensure that military authorizations are linked to long-term veteran healthcare commitments.

CL=

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. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.