Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
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 Restore Veterans' Compensation Act of 2026 aims to amend title 10 of the United States Code regarding the recoupment of certain payments. It seeks to eliminate the collection of separation pay, severance pay, or readjustment pay from members receiving disability compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, the bill places new limitations on the Secretary of Defense's authority to recoup these payments from members receiving retired or retainer pay. It establishes specific rules for deductions from retired or retainer pay, including monthly limits and notification requirements.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides significant financial relief to veterans by preventing the recoupment of separation pay from disability compensation and limiting monthly deductions from retired pay.
- Scored +7
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill improves benefits by eliminating recoupment of separation pay from VA disability compensation and capping deductions from retired pay.
- Scored +5
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill protects disability compensation received through the Department of Veterans Affairs from being reduced due to separation pay.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Disability Compensation: Members of the Armed Forces who receive separation pay, severance pay, or readjustment pay will not be deprived of any disability compensation they are entitled to under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Section 2(a)(1))
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Limits on Monthly Deductions: For those receiving retired or retainer pay, the amount deducted each month cannot exceed 25 percent of that pay, unless the member chooses to pay it back faster. (Section 2(a)(3)(B))
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Financial Hardship Protections: The Secretary of Defense is required to consult with members regarding repayment rates to avoid undue hardship on the member and their dependents, and the Secretary has the authority to waive deductions if they would cause financial hardship. (Section 2(a)(3)(B) and (D))
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Improved Notification: Members must receive a notice that provides clear and comprehensive information regarding deductions, including how the amount and the period of installments were determined. (Section 2(a)(3)(C))
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Tax Consideration in Recoupment: When recouping pay from retired or retainer pay, the amount is limited to the net amount after accounting for Federal income tax withholding. (Section 2(a)(2))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed Deduction Commencement: Deductions from retired or retainer pay cannot begin until 90 days after the member is notified of the deduction. (Section 2(a)(3)(C))
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 provides significant financial relief to veterans by preventing the recoupment of separation pay from disability compensation and limiting monthly deductions from retired pay. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill protects military retirees by limiting monthly deductions for pay recoupment to 25 percent of their pay.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill improves benefits by eliminating recoupment of separation pay from VA disability compensation and capping deductions from retired pay.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill protects disability compensation received through the Department of Veterans Affairs from being reduced due to separation pay.
- 8/7/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
3 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.