S. 4744 · 119th Congress · Armed Forces and National Security
Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
Modifies veterans' compensation, benefits, health care, education, and Department of Veterans Affairs operations. AI-read
What it does
This bill addresses veterans’ benefits, health care, counseling, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel, VA infrastructure, and the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP).
The bill modifies various compensation programs for veterans, including by (1) allowing concurrent receipt of disability compensation and military retired pay for certain retirees with a combat-related disability, (2) extending entitlement for various benefits and services to remarried surviving spouses, (3) increasing the rate of dependency and indemnity compensation, and (4) establishing a supplemental monthly allowance for certain disabled veterans.
The bill also addresses VA education and training benefits, including by (1) modifying which independent study programs are covered under veterans’ educational assistance benefits, (2) requiring Transition Assistance Program counseling to include a presentation about VA benefits, and (3) increasing the housing allowance rate for individuals pursuing apprenticeships.
The bill revises health care provisions, including by (1) expanding support and assistance provided to family caregivers, (2) extending the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, and (3) expanding the scope of VA mental health research.
Among other elements, the bill
• revises VA disability ratings for sleep apnea and tinnitus;
• expands eligibility for a memorial headstone or marker for the spouse, surviving spouse, child, or dependent of a veteran or member of the Armed Forces;
• addresses the administration of the VCCP and codifies the eligibility standards;
• establishes a standardized screening process for priority or routine admission to certain mental health care programs; and
• addresses VA personnel, hiring, and infrastructure matters.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Jun 10, 2026 (Introduced in Senate). CRS summarizes bills impartially; it does not take positions.
Roll call votes
No recorded roll call votes on this bill. Most bills never get one; many pass by voice vote or unanimous consent, or stay in committee.
What members said about it
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SENATE APPROVES HYDE-SMITH & WARNOCK RESOLUTION DESIGNATING ‘GOLD STAR FAMILIES REMEMBRANCE WEEK’
Bipartisan Measure Sets Aside Sept. 20-27 to Recognize Families of the Fallen WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate late Thursday approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael…
“Every Gold Star family I meet shows great patriotism and resolve as they deal with the loss of a loved one who died in service to our nation. Their sacrifices are why the nation takes time to not only honor them, but to reaffirm our commitments to them and the memory of our fallen heroes.”
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HYDE-SMITH JOINS ‘TAKE CARE OF VETERANS ACT’ TO IMPROVE VA SERVICES & BENEFITS
Comprehensive Bicameral Measure Bundles Long-Sought VA Program Reforms WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced her support for a comprehensive bicameral bill to improve and expand benefits for American…
“I’ve visited with so many veterans and their families who are frustrated that commonsense improvements to VA programs get bogged down in the legislative process. The Take Care of Veterans Act is a bold effort to enact many of these program improvements together.”
Latest action
Jun 11, 2026 · Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 433.