[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3577-H3579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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FISHER HOUSE AVAILABILITY ACT OF 2026
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3726) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make temporary lodging facilities of
the Department of Veterans Affairs available for certain TRICARE
beneficiaries on a space-available basis, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3726
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fisher House Availability
Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. AVAILABILITY OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
TEMPORARY LODGING TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.
Section 1708 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``in connection with''
and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``in accordance with this section.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by inserting ``described in paragraph (1)'' after
``family of a veteran''; and
(ii) by inserting ``such'' after ``accompany''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(3) On a space-available basis, a covered beneficiary who
must travel a significant distance to receive care or
services at a Department or non-Department facility.
``(4) On a space-available basis, a member of the family of
a covered beneficiary described in paragraph (3) and others
who accompany such a covered beneficiary who is receiving
care or services and provide the equivalent of familial
support for such beneficiary when the covered beneficiary or
the family member is traveling to receive care or services at
a Department or non-Department facility.
``(5) On a space-available basis, a veteran and a member of
the family of a veteran and others who must travel a
significant distance for a member of the veteran's family to
receive care or services at a Department or non-Department
facility.
``(6) On a space available basis, a covered beneficiary and
a member of the family of a covered beneficiary and others
who must travel a significant distance for a member of the
covered beneficiary's family to receive care or services at a
Department or non-Department facility.'';
(3) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating
subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d),
respectively;
(4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection (d)'' and
inserting ``subsection (c)'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under subsection
(b)(2)'' and inserting ``or a covered beneficiary under
subsection (b)'';
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph (5):
``(5) establishing criteria for providing access to
temporary lodging facilities on a space-available basis under
paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (b); and''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) In this section:
``(1) The term `covered beneficiary' means a member of the
uniformed services performing active duty.
``(2) The term `Fisher house' means a housing facility
that--
``(A) is located at, or in proximity to, a Department
medical facility;
``(B) is available for residential use on a temporary basis
by patients of that facility and others described in
subsection (b); and
``(C) is constructed by, and donated to the Secretary by,
the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation
or the Fisher House Foundation, Inc.''.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``January 31, 2033'' and inserting ``July
31, 2033''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on
H.R. 3726, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3726, the Fisher House
Availability Act of 2026, offered by Representative Dr. Miller-Meeks.
The Fisher House Foundation has done great work for our military and
veteran families by providing a place to stay while their loved one
received medical care.
Helping to ease the emotional and financial burdens, this bill would
further that mission by extending eligibility to servicemembers'
families, allowing them to stay in these temporary VA lodging
facilities.
Simply put, if these homes have space, our military families should
be able to use them.
Dr. Miller-Meeks' bill would also improve coordination between VA and
DOW, so that we can ensure our military families have the best quality
of life.
This bill would also maximize the use of existing resources and help
ensure veterans' families have access to safe and affordable lodging
when they need it most.
This is a practical solution that makes better use of resources
already available to support both those who have served our Nation and
their families.
I thank my friend, our Health Subcommittee chairwoman, Dr. Miller-
Meeks, for her work on expanding healthcare access.
Mr. Speaker, our servicemembers, veterans, and their families have
sacrificed greatly on behalf of this country. I believe we should
ensure they have the support and stability they have earned while
receiving medical care. This bill answers the call.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3726, as
amended.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H3578]]
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3726, the Fisher House
Availability Act of 2026, as amended.
Created in 1990, Fisher Houses have provided veteran and military
families a cost-free, home-away-from-home environment while their loved
ones receive medical care at nearby VA, DOD, and community hospitals.
Grounded in the understanding that social support is instrumental to
the healing process, families of veterans and Active-Duty
servicemembers can access these comfortable and welcoming houses
without worry about cost and geographical distance from their loved
ones who are receiving care.
Regrettably, since the fall of 2024, VA Fisher Houses have been
restricted in their ability to serve the entire veteran and military
community.
VA made guidance changes at that time that altered eligibility and
only permitted families of veterans receiving care at a VA facility to
stay at Fisher Houses.
Military families falling outside of this criteria, specifically,
Active-Duty families receiving care at facilities near VA medical
centers, have been turned away, even when rooms at Fisher Houses have
been available.
The bipartisan Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 would restore
the flexibility of VA Fisher Houses to not only accommodate veteran
families but Active-Duty families on a space-available basis. As
veteran families would still receive prioritization, veteran access to
VA Fisher Houses will not change.
This bill will increase VA Fisher House usage by simply allowing for
eligible DOD beneficiaries to be considered for a room when one is
available, while also strengthening the partnership between the
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense.
Mr. Speaker, veteran and military caregivers deserve access to VA
Fisher Houses. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3726, the Fisher
House Availability Act. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), the sponsor of this bill.
Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Bost for yielding time
to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Fisher
House Availability Act. This life-changing bill would ease the burden
on the families of veterans staying in Fisher Houses across the country
by making lodging more accessible for veterans, servicemembers, and
their families during treatment.
Thousands of American families travel long distances every year to
accompany their veteran loved one so that they can receive serious
medical treatment at VA facilities.
The Fisher House Foundation provides those families with a helping
hand through free, safe lodging. The Fisher House Foundation and their
many volunteers make a painful time bearable.
Fisher Houses help bridge the gap for veterans and their families
when care becomes difficult instead of easy. What better mission than
to provide a place to stay while their loved one, servicemember, or
veteran receives the medical care they need.
The value of these homes can be understood by their numbers. Over the
past 30 years, Fisher Houses have served 500,000 people, kept $650
million in people's wallets, and offered 12.5 million nights of
lodging.
More than the numbers, however, the value can be understood through
the stories, as founder Zachary Fisher put it, hardships we helped ease
and friendships we helped form.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and United States Army
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom were tragically attacked last year here in
D.C. Fisher House provided shelter to the loved ones of Staff Sergeant
Wolfe while he received care at a VA-owned home. This is an example of
the mission being met.
However, this story is an exception, not the standard. Staff Sergeant
Wolfe's family required a waiver in order to stay in the lodging due to
burdensome regulations. We must do better, and my bill, the Fisher
House Availability Act, would make it so that we can do better.
Under current law, a VA-owned Fisher House cannot let the family of a
servicemember stay, even if there is space available, and veterans and
military are used to space available. The family of a veteran cannot
stay, either, if the veteran happens to need care from a non-VA medical
facility.
Mr. Speaker, this interpretation of the law forces the door shut to
vacant rooms when space is available that is meant to serve those who
serve or who have served.
My bill would fix this issue head-on by not displacing veterans or
veterans' families. It would only open the door for more of them.
Further, the bill simply ensures that servicemembers have access to
available lodging.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the Fisher House Foundation and to
Chairman Bost for supporting this bill, and I am proud to address this
issue on behalf of the veteran and military families I know it will
help across the country.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), cosponsor of this legislation.
Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
3726, the Fisher House Availability Act.
I would first like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks,
for her leadership on this effort. I am very proud to co-lead this bill
with her. I thank the chair and ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs
Committee for making this happen.
This bill will ensure that servicemembers and their families are
eligible to stay at VA lodging, the Fisher Houses, as we are
discussing, when space allows, regardless of where care is provided. It
doesn't matter if they are receiving care at a VA facility, a military
hospital, or a civilian provider.
Fisher Houses are home away from home near VA and military hospitals.
No veteran or servicemember who has served their country should have to
face medical care or a hospital stay without the support of their loved
ones by their side.
Fisher Houses has allowed these families to be where they are needed
most, without worrying about whether they can afford a place to stay.
This allows veterans and servicemembers to focus on what is important:
the healing process.
I was with family at a military hospital, sitting in the intensive
care waiting room, with a young mother whose husband was in intensive
care in a coma, and she had a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old. She had no
money for a motel or a hotel. She didn't know how she was feeding her
children, and they were sleeping on couches in the intensive care.
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I was not a Member of Congress then, but I called my friend, Alma
Powell, and said that this is unacceptable. No family should not have
support.
She introduced me to the Fisher family. At that point, there were
just a couple of Fisher Houses. There are now more than 100.
We have two Fisher Houses in Michigan--yes--at the John D. Dingell
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit and the VA Ann
Arbor Healthcare System, and I visit them often. I know the work that
they do and the comfort that they are able to provide to our military
and veteran families during some of the most difficult times.
We must do the right thing for the families of our servicemembers and
veterans, and we must always fight to stand up and support our veterans
and those who fought to defend our freedoms. This should never be
partisan. It is always important to give bipartisan support to our
veterans and to our active military.
That is why this matters so much to me, and that is why I strongly
support passage of H.R. 3726.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared
to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the wonderful history of the Fisher Houses
and all of the support that my colleague from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell)
has given over the years. What a wonderful story about Alma Powell.
Mr. Speaker, with all of that, I ask my colleagues to join me in
passing
[[Page H3579]]
H.R. 3726, the Fisher House Availability Act, as amended, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support
this legislation. This is an opportunity to take advantage of the
kindness of family and to continue to do that with everybody who needs
this.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 3726, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to make temporary lodging facilities of the Department of
Veterans Affairs available for certain individuals on a space available
basis, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________