House Weighs Veterans Housing, Maternity, Retirement Bills
Three veterans-related bills were introduced in the House on November 9, 2026, with two major measures set for votes on November 11.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Military
Live Poll
Should Congress expand federal support for veterans' housing and health care?
Representatives introduced three veterans-related bills in the House of Representatives on November 9, 2026, covering housing retention, maternity care coordination and WARTAC reporting. Two major veterans bills, the Major Richard Star Act and the Take Care of American Veterans Act, are scheduled for House votes on November 11, 2026.
Why it matters
The Major Richard Star Act has been held up in the House despite broad bipartisan backing, and a discharge petition reaching 218 signatures forced consideration of it. The Supporting Veteran Mothers Act responds to a May 2026 GAO finding that the VA Maternity Care Coordinator program lacked a federal performance management process.
The Major Richard Star Act would let certain combat-injured veterans who medically retired before 20 years of service receive full military retirement pay alongside VA disability compensation. House Bill 10961 would require the VA secretary to report to Congress on WARTAC within two years of enactment.
The players
Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi is a Democratic Representative from California who has long served in the House and a senior figure in the chamber's Democratic leadership.
Nancy Mace
Mace is a Republican Representative from South Carolina known for her advocacy on women's issues and military and veterans matters.
Troy Carter
Carter is a Democratic Representative from Louisiana who co-sponsored House Bill 10961 on WARTAC reporting.
Morgan Luttrell
Luttrell is a Republican Representative from Texas and a former Navy SEAL who co-sponsored House Bill 10961.
The details
The No Veteran Left Behind: Housing Retention Act, introduced by Representative Nancy Pelosi, would create a grant program within the VA's Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, drawing on California's Veterans Support to Self-Reliance Pilot. The Take Care of American Veterans Act combines more than 60 proposals on veterans' benefits, caregiver support, healthcare and survivor benefits.
Timeline
May 2026: A GAO report found the VA Maternity Care Coordinator program had not fully established a federal performance management process.
November 9, 2026: Three veterans-related bills were introduced in the House of Representatives.
November 11, 2026: The Major Richard Star Act and the Take Care of American Veterans Act are scheduled for House votes.
Season Trajectory
The Supporting Veteran Mothers Act follows the May 2026 GAO review of the VA Maternity Care Coordinator program, which found no fully established federal performance management process. The bill's staffing benchmark of one coordinator per 75 to 100 patients a year sets a measurable standard the program previously lacked.
The Major Richard Star Act would allow certain combat-injured veterans to receive full military retirement pay alongside VA disability compensation if they retired before 20 years of service. The Supporting Veteran Mothers Act would require the VA to review maternity staffing levels every two years.
The takeaway
Veterans could see direct changes to retirement pay, housing support and maternity care if these bills pass both chambers. Readers following veterans policy should watch the November 11 House votes for signals on what advances.
What happens next
House votes on the Major Richard Star Act and the Take Care of American Veterans Act are scheduled for November 11, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more military coverage to see how these veterans bills fit into ongoing defense and veterans policy debates.
Live Poll
Should Congress expand federal support for veterans' housing and health care?
