Deb Fischer (R-NE)
CHIP IN for Veterans Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The CHIP IN for Veterans Act of 2026 permanently extends a pilot program that allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to accept donated facilities and related improvements. It also gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the authority to accept donations for construction services, minor construction projects, and nonrecurring maintenance projects. To be accepted, these donations must align with the Department's identified needs and plans. The bill requires formal agreements between the donor and the Secretary to ensure oversight and compliance with laws. Additionally, it streamlines requirements for donations that do not involve the transfer of real property title.
Yes· 3 of 32
- Scored +10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill's sole purpose is to improve VA facilities and services for veterans.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill significantly improves the infrastructure of the VA, which is a core component of veterans' benefits.
- Scored +7
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill directly improves the quality and availability of VA facilities through donated improvements and construction.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Veteran Facilities: The bill allows the Secretary to accept donations that improve facility conditions or otherwise benefit veterans (Section 3(b)(3)).
-
Faster Project Completion: The Secretary can accept donations if they are determined to accelerate the completion of projects (Section 3(b)(3)(A)).
-
Reduced Government Spending: The bill permits donations that reduce the expense to the Department (Section 3(b)(3)(B)).
-
Expanded Donation Options: The Department can now accept donations for minor construction, nonrecurring maintenance, and construction services for new or existing facilities (Section 3(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups of people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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? — The bill's sole purpose is to improve VA facilities and services for veterans. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — VA facilities specifically cater to disabled veterans, who will benefit from improved infrastructure. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retiree veterans will benefit from better healthcare infrastructure. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Older veterans are high users of VA healthcare and facilities, thus benefitting most from these improvements. Would business owners be better off under this? — Construction and service-providing businesses may benefit from these projects. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Veterans from low-income backgrounds rely more heavily on free VA services and facilities. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including African American veterans. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including Asian American veterans. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including Hispanic American veterans. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including LGBTQ+ veterans. Would men be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including male veterans. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged veterans may benefit from modernized VA facilities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — General benefit to veterans regardless of income. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including Native American veterans. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Veterans in rural areas may see improved local clinics through donations. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased construction activity may benefit unionized tradespeople. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Veterans living in urban areas with large VA hospitals will benefit. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including White American veterans. Would women be better off under this? — Benefit to all veterans, including women veterans. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Younger veterans may benefit from modernized VA facilities.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill directly improves the quality and availability of VA facilities through donated improvements and construction. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Faster completion of VA projects can lead to better healthcare access for the veteran population. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — Improved VA facilities could potentially expand the capacity for mental health services for veterans.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Accepting donations for construction and maintenance projects reduces the need for direct government funding. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Leveraging private donations to meet infrastructure needs is a fiscally responsible approach to facility management. Is this likely to create jobs? — Increased construction services and facility improvements may create short-term jobs in the building sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Encouraging private investment in public infrastructure can provide a modest positive economic effect. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill allows for private donations to reduce the expense to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill significantly improves the infrastructure of the VA, which is a core component of veterans' benefits.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Donated facility improvements may benefit veterans in rural areas where VA clinics are located.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires reporting on donations accepted, which enhances transparency regarding private contributions to the VA.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Better VA facilities can support veteran housing and support services, indirectly aiding in reducing veteran homelessness.
- 6/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska