Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)
Fisher House Availability Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 amends title 38 of the United States Code. It directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make temporary lodging facilities available on a space-available basis to specific groups. This includes covered beneficiaries and their families who must travel significant distances for care. The bill also expands the definitions within section 1708 regarding temporary lodging. Finally, it extends certain limits on payments of pension until July 31, 2033.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Directly enhances benefits through lodging access and extending pension payment limits.
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill expands access to temporary lodging for veterans and their families traveling for care.
- Scored +7
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Expands lodging opportunities and extends pension payment limits for veterans.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Access to Lodging: Covered beneficiaries who must travel a significant distance for care or services at Department or non-Department facilities can access temporary lodging on a space-available basis. (Section 2, subsection (b)(3))
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Support for Family Members: Family members or others providing equivalent familial support for a covered beneficiary traveling for care can access lodging on a space-available basis. (Section 2, subsection (b)(4))
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Support for Veterans' Families: Veterans and their family members who must travel a significant distance for a family member to receive care or services can access lodging on a space-available basis. (Section 2, subsection (b)(5))
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Support for Covered Beneficiaries' Families: Covered beneficiaries and their family members who must travel a significant distance for a family member to receive care or services can access lodging on a space-available basis. (Section 2, subsection (b)(6))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited Availability: Access to the temporary lodging facilities described in the bill is provided only on a "space-available basis." (Section 2, subsection (b)(3), (4), (5), and (6))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Directly enhances benefits through lodging access and extending pension payment limits. Would retired people be better off under this? — Benefits through pension continuity and support for healthcare needs. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Benefits older veterans and their families through expanded services and pension protections. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Provides necessary support for individuals and families navigating significant travel for healthcare. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Particularly helpful for those living far from medical facilities. Would children be better off under this? — May benefit children of covered beneficiaries traveling for medical care. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Reduces financial burden for families needing to travel for medical care.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill expands access to temporary lodging for veterans and their families traveling for care. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Provides supplemental lodging support for those traveling significant distances for medical services.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Expands lodging opportunities and extends pension payment limits for veterans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Provides temporary lodging access which functions as a form of short-term housing assistance for traveling families.
- 5/20/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 5/19/2026
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3577)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3577)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3726.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3577-3579)
- Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 4/30/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-630.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 546.
- 2/12/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2/5/2026
- Subcommittee on Health Discharged
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/11/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/17/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 6/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia