Bill

H.R. 3123 (119th): Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act This bill establishes procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a pension that was due but unpaid at the time of a veteran’s death. Specifically, if the VA issues a decision awarding entitlement to a pension to a veteran prior to the veteran’s death but issues the payment after the veteran dies, the pension must be paid to the first available recipient on the following list: (1) the veteran’s living spouse; (2) the veteran’s living children; (3) the veteran’s living dependent parents; or (4) the estate of the veteran, unless the estate will escheat (i.e., transfer to the state). To be eligible for such pension payments, a claimant of accrued benefits must file an application within one year after the veteran's death. If no application for accrued benefits is filed within one year following the death of the veteran, the pension must be paid to the veteran’s estate unless the estate will escheat.

house · Substantive

Rankings updated October 26, 2026, 11:44 AM ET · Votes through September 30, 2026
Exported candidates: 719 | Filings on file, by office: H: 5838 | P: 1467 | S: 1567. These counts include every filing for that office, so they are larger than the ranked list. One person can have more than one filing. Non-voting delegates are left out.

Official source

Summary

Recorded summary

The bill sets procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay a pension that was awarded to a veteran before death but not paid until after death. Payment goes to the first available recipient in this order: the living spouse, living children, living dependent parents, or the veteran's estate, unless the estate would escheat to the state. A claimant must file within one year of the veteran's death. If no claim is filed in that year, the pension goes to the estate unless it would escheat.

accrued_benefitsadministrative_procedureappropriationspension_paymentveterans_benefits

Theological note: The measure bears on honoring obligations owed to veterans and their families, and on faithful, orderly stewardship of benefits that were already due. Scripture's concern for just dealing with those who served and for keeping debts owed is relevant. The bill's main content is administrative sequencing of payments, so its moral weight is modest and prudential.

Scoring

How this bill is scored

Debt and war Cloture and Tier 1 Procedural votes Scoring mechanics

Roll

Recorded votes

Roll 50 · 2-Feb-2026 7:14 PM · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed

Yea 405 · Nay 1 · Other 26

Yea

Nay

Other

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