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Veterans & National Security · Report · File No. 261111-298

Three new House bills would change VA homeless aid, maternity care and a training program

Lawmakers from both parties filed the bills Nov. 9. They cover veteran housing help, staffing for pregnancy care at VA hospitals and a report on a transition program.

By the National Desk · · 3 min read

Every quote in this story (1) was matched word for word against its source. How we work

My clippings
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi. Photo: John Harrington, Public domain

Three bills introduced on Nov. 9 would change services run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They cover veteran homelessness, pregnancy and postpartum care, and a training program for service members leaving the military 1. Each was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs 1.

Lawmakers from both parties sponsored them. None has passed, and none has had a vote yet 1.

Help for veterans at risk of losing housing

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat and former House speaker, introduced the No Veteran Left Behind: Housing Retention Act. It would create a grant program inside the VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families program. The grants would go to community groups that help veterans stay in permanent housing 1.

Eligible services could include mental health and substance abuse counseling, meals and grocery help, transportation, medication support, home changes for accessibility and eviction protection 1. Pelosi said the bill draws on a California pilot program aimed at older and disabled veterans. The nonprofit RAND found that pilot improved housing stability and significantly cut emergency medical visits 1.

From Channel GOPCornyn blames Trump's low approval for losing TexasSen. John Cornyn · 846 plays · captioned, with the source named
Nancy Pelosi
This legislation helps codify the successful California pilot as a national model that helped fill the gap for San Francisco’s elderly and disabled Veterans—the fastest growing cohort,
Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative, D-Calif.1

Democratic Reps. Kathy Castor of Florida and Mark Takano of California are cosponsors 1.

Staffing for veteran mothers' care

Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, introduced the Supporting Veteran Mothers Act. It would require VA medical facilities to keep enough maternity care coordinators on staff. These coordinators help pregnant and postpartum veterans 1.

The bill would set a benchmark of at least one full-time coordinator for every 75 to 100 patients a year. Facilities would have to review maternity staffing every two years 1. Mace said the bill "demands accountability from the VA" 1.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congress's watchdog agency, reported in May 2026 that the coordinator program had not yet fully set up a federal performance management process. The VA agreed with the findings 1. The VA has said coordinators help veterans move through care inside and outside the VA and screen for social, physical and mental health concerns 2.

A report on a training program

House Bill 10961, from Democratic Rep. Troy Carter and Republican Rep. Morgan Luttrell, covers the Warrior Training Advancement Course. The course trains wounded and transitioning service members for certain VA staff jobs while they are still on active duty 1.

The bill would require the VA secretary to report to Congress within two years of enactment, then every year. Reports would count how many service members apply, take part and finish. They would also say how much money the program saves the federal government and whether other agencies could use similar programs 1.

What happens next

Two other veterans bills were scheduled for House votes on Veterans Day. The Major Richard Star Act would let some combat-injured veterans who retired for medical reasons before 20 years of service get full military retirement pay along with VA disability pay. Under current rules, some of them have their retirement pay reduced 1.

A discharge petition reached the 218 signatures needed to force that vote. The Take Care of American Veterans Act, which combines more than 60 proposals on benefits, caregiver support, health care and survivor benefits, is also scheduled for a vote 1.

That matters because new bills often stall in committee. The two bills getting votes show that veterans' issues can still draw support from both parties. Whether the three new bills get hearings is not yet known.

The Record

  1. The VA extended maternity care coordinator access from eight weeks to 12 months postpartum 2.
  2. A GAO report found the VA Maternity Care Coordinator program had not yet fully set up a federal performance management process 1.
  3. Pelosi, Mace, Carter and Luttrell introduced three VA bills in the House 1.
  4. The House was scheduled to vote on the Major Richard Star Act and the Take Care of American Veterans Act 1.
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Sources

  1. Newsweek, “Veterans Day: 3 New Bills Aim To Change VA Services” (2026-11-11). newsweek.com/veterans-day-3-new-bills-aim-to-change-va-servi
  2. DAV, “VA expands maternity care coordination for veterans” (2024-02-22). dav.org/learn-more/news/2024/va-expands-maternity-care-coord

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