FISHER HOUSE AVAILABILITY ACT OF 2026

On 2026-05-19, Representative Mike Bost (R-IL-12) delivered a floor speech titled "FISHER HOUSE AVAILABILITY ACT OF 2026" in the House.

FISHER HOUSE AVAILABILITY ACT OF 2026

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026) [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 ] {time} 1630 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. 

Referenced legislation: HR3726, HR3726