Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2148
Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

ID: M001206

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

February 12, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

âś…

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another exercise in legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act (HR 2148) claims to expand medical, employment, and other benefits for family caregivers of certain veterans. How noble. The real purpose? To create a feel-good narrative while throwing breadcrumbs at the problem.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:**

1. Extension of medical care coverage for primary caregivers during a 180-day period after removal from the program. 2. Employment assistance, including reimbursement for certifications and training modules. 3. Expansion of available services, such as retirement planning and bereavement counseling. 4. Studies on returnship programs and incorporating former caregivers into the Department of Veterans Affairs workforce.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:**

* Family caregivers of veterans * The Department of Veterans Affairs * The Department of Labor * The Department of Defense

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It attempts to address the symptoms rather than the root causes of caregiver burnout and inadequate support. By providing limited benefits and studies, Congress can claim they're doing something without actually solving the problem.

The real disease here is bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of resources. This bill doesn't address the systemic issues plaguing the VA or provide meaningful support for caregivers. It's a PR stunt designed to appease voters while maintaining the status quo.

In medical terms, this bill is akin to prescribing a placebo to a patient with a chronic condition. It might make them feel better temporarily, but it won't cure the underlying disease. The politicians behind this bill are either incompetent or deliberately misleading the public. Either way, they're not worth our trust.

Diagnosis: Legislative Theater-itis – a chronic condition characterized by empty promises, half-measures, and a complete disregard for the well-being of those affected. Treatment? A healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach to handle the inevitable disappointment.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement State & Local Government Affairs Civil Rights & Liberties Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations & Accountability Small Business & Entrepreneurship National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

đź’° Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$67,500
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$1,500
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
CHEROKEE NATION
1 transaction
$1,000
2
GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$500

No committee contributions found

1
SHAMAH, ALAN
2 transactions
$6,600
2
NORTY, LEWIS
1 transaction
$3,300
3
SECUNDA, AMY
1 transaction
$3,300
4
SECUNDA, CYNTHIA
1 transaction
$3,300
5
SECUNDA, MICHELLE
1 transaction
$3,300
6
SECUNDA, THOMAS
1 transaction
$3,300
7
OSTROFF, DIANA
1 transaction
$3,300
8
OSTROFF, RICHARD
1 transaction
$3,300
9
PERLMAN, LEE
1 transaction
$3,300
10
RASKE, JANET
1 transaction
$3,300
11
SANDS, ROB
1 transaction
$3,300
12
SMITH, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
13
COOPER, MILTON
1 transaction
$3,300
14
COOPER, TODD
1 transaction
$3,300
15
FEINSTEIN, LEONARD
1 transaction
$3,300
16
KHUZAMI, ROB
1 transaction
$3,300
17
STERLING, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
18
STERLING, MONA
1 transaction
$3,300
19
SHAMAH, JOSEPH
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 8 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]

ID: C001133

Top Contributors

10

1
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
PAC SCOTTSDALE, AZ
$1,000
Jun 14, 2024
2
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
3
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
4
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
5
DELTA AIRLINES
Organization ATLANTA, GA
$2,500
Jul 30, 2024
6
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,000
Oct 8, 2024
7
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$1,834
Jun 30, 2024
8
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
Organization CHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Nov 5, 2024
9
COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES
Organization PARKER, AZ
$1,000
Jun 30, 2023
10
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 30, 2023

Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

ID: P000614

Top Contributors

10

1
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
2
THE CHICKSAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$2,300
Oct 7, 2024
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 5, 2023
4
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 19, 2023
5
THE CHICKSAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 14, 2024
6
DUDA, JENNIFER
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
Individual MENLO PARK, CA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
7
JURVETSON, KARLA
SELF EMPLOYED • PHYSICIAN
Individual LOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
8
SCHUSTER, MARK
WINGATE COMPANIES • CHAIRMAN
Individual NEWTON CENTRE, MA
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
9
STOVER, MATTHEW
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
Individual CHESTER, NH
$3,300
Oct 26, 2024
10
WALSH, MARK
AMALGAMATED BANK • BANKER
Individual BOSTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

ID: C001127

Top Contributors

10

1
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$500
Nov 4, 2024
2
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
Organization HOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 20, 2024
3
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
Organization HOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Sep 8, 2023
4
FIGGERS, FREDDIE
FIGGERS • INVENTOR
Individual FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
$6,600
Jun 8, 2023
5
FIGGERS, FREDDIE
Individual FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
$6,600
Sep 25, 2023
6
MOISE, RUDOLPH
Individual DAVIE, FL
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
7
GEORGE, DAVID J.
REFUEL DEPOT LLC • SALES
Individual LEADWOOD, KS
$3,300
Sep 27, 2024
8
GOLDEN, SYLVIA
NONE • RETIRED
Individual WEST PALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Aug 18, 2024
9
GORI, PHILIP
SELF • INVESTOR
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Sep 16, 2024
10
MUELLER, KYLE
ZUTEK • DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Individual OLATHE, KS
$3,300
Sep 27, 2024

Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

ID: M001220

Top Contributors

10

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
Organization CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Oct 26, 2024
2
LA CASITA CENTER
Organization LOUISVILLE, KY
$154
Oct 16, 2023
3
CALOBRACE, BRADLEY
SELF • PHYSICIAN
Individual LOUISVILLE, KY
$6,600
Oct 18, 2024
4
BROWN, CAMPBELL
BROWN-FORMAN • PRESIDENT OLD FORESTER
Individual LOUISVILLE, KY
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024
5
MEHROTRA, LOPA
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
Individual GLENVIEW, KY
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
6
MEHROTRA, RISHABH
AVIONTE • CEO
Individual GLENVIEW, KY
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
7
HELM, NELSON
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual LOUISVILLE, KY
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
8
ROTH, EVAN
BBR PARTNERS • CO-CEO
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 18, 2023
9
CHRISTENSEN, JOSH
NORTON HEALTHCARE • PHYSICIAN
Individual LOUISVILLE, KY
$3,300
Dec 3, 2023
10
SISCOVICK, TALIA
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
Individual STAMFORD, CT
$3,300
Oct 31, 2023

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

ID: C001072

Top Contributors

10

1
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 22, 2023
2
INDIANA IMPORT LLC
Organization FISHERS, IN
$1,000
Nov 11, 2023
3
MNAYMEH, HALA
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual CORAL GABLES, FL
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
4
DE LA CRUZ, FABIO
WESTON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • PARTNER
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
5
KHAN, AZHER M
CALDERON TEXTILES • PRESIDENT
Individual CARMEL, IN
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
6
HOGAN, ALAN P.
THE HOGAN GROUP, INC. • CONSULTANT
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Feb 22, 2023
7
JOHNSON, LACY M.
ICE MILLER • ATTORNEY
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Mar 16, 2023
8
STACK, ANN M.
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Feb 22, 2023
9
ABDALLA, MIKE A.
MAGNA PROPERTIES • PRESIDENT
Individual INDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
10
MAMOUN, IHSAN
SDI RADIOLOGY • PHYSICIAN
Individual SEFFNER, FL
$3,300
Jan 23, 2024

Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

ID: M000317

Top Contributors

10

1
M&T BANK
Organization MOUNT KISCO, NY
$118
Sep 21, 2024
2
M&T BANK
Organization MOUNT KISCO, NY
$101
Sep 21, 2024
3
SIDIROPOULOS, JIM MR.
DELPHI PH • CONTRACTOR
Individual STATEN ISLAND, NY
$5,600
Jul 23, 2024
4
BERGER, RICHARD MR.
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual HOBOKEN, NJ
$5,000
May 17, 2024
5
LOEB, JOHN L. MR. JR
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual PURCHASE, NY
$5,000
Apr 22, 2024
6
BAUMRIND, MARTIN M. MR.
SELF • LANDLORD
Individual BROOKLYN, NY
$5,000
Sep 16, 2024
7
DUIT, JAMES A
CONTRIBUTION OF CONCEPTION LLC • EXEC
Individual EDMOND, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
8
DUIT, PAMELA A
CONTRIBUTION OF CONCEPTION LLC • EXEC
Individual EDMOND, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
9
LAUDER, RONALD S.
SELF EMPLOYED • BUSINESSMAN
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
10
BANKE, BARBARA R. MS.
CHAIRMAN • JACKSON FAMILY WINES
Individual GEYSERVILLE, CA
$3,300
Nov 17, 2023

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

ID: C001068

Top Contributors

10

1
SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION)
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$3,000
Nov 5, 2024
2
SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION)
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,000
Nov 5, 2024
3
NOVY, PENNY
NA • RETIRED
Individual BUFFALO GROVE, LA
$546
Sep 29, 2024
4
CZEREPAK, TYMOTEUSZ
SUPREME ADUSTING LLC • PUBLIC ADJUSTER
Individual CARY, IL
$520
Oct 6, 2024
5
PORTER, RICHARD
NA • RETIRED
Individual NORTHFIELD, IL
$520
Oct 2, 2024
6
TRACY, DON
BROWN HAY STEPHEN'S LLP • ATTORNEY
Individual SPRINGFIELD, IL
$500
Sep 22, 2024
7
BOBRICK, EDWARD
NA • RETIRED
Individual EVANSTON, IL
$300
Aug 11, 2024
8
NOVY, PENNY
NA • RETIRED
Individual BUFFALO GROVE, LA
$260
Oct 19, 2024
9
FREEDMAN, DOUGLASS
FAREVA MORTON GROVE • WAREHOUSE OPERATOR
Individual PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL
$260
Sep 19, 2024
10
KASMAN, ALIK
ENOVA INTERNATIONAL • PRINCIPAL ENGINEER
Individual BUFFALO GROVE, IL
$208
Oct 20, 2024

Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

ID: H001066

Top Contributors

10

1
TUNICA- BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
Organization MARKSVILLE, LA
$5,000
Jun 9, 2024
2
TUNICA- BILOXI TRIBE OF LA
Organization MARKSVILLE, LA
$4,600
Jun 10, 2024
3
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
4
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
5
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2023
6
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
7
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$3,300
Oct 31, 2023
8
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Jan 5, 2024
9
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Apr 21, 2023
10
GBS 2, LLC
Organization ELGIN, IL
$3,300
May 23, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 39 nodes and 37 connections

Total contributions: $105,304

Top Donors - Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs19 Individuals

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document. AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Introduction

Strong
Vector: 70%
Pages: 679-681 AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill strongly aligns with the Project 2025 policy objective of overhauling the Family Caregiver Program expansion to focus on consistency of eligibility and awareness that the most severely wounded or injured may require the program indefinitely. The bill's provisions, such as extending medical care coverage and providing employment assistance, demonstrate a significant overlap in objectives."

Key themes: Family Caregiver Program Veteran Support Services Caregiver Benefits

— 646 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 3. Section 121 (developing and administering an education program that teaches veterans about their health care options available from the Department of Veterans Affairs). 4. Section 152 (returning the Office for Innovation of Care and Payment to the Office of Enterprise Integration with a joint governance process set up with the VHA). 5. Section 161 (overhauling Family Caregiver Program expansion, which has gone poorly, so that it focuses on consistency of eligibility and awareness that the most severely wounded or injured may require the program indefinitely). l Require the VHA to report publicly on all aspects of its operation, including quality, safety, patient experience, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness, using standards similar to those in the Medicare Accountable Care Organization program so that the government may monitor and achieve continuous improvement in the VA system more effectively. l Encourage VA Medical Centers to seek out relevant academic and private- sector input in their communities to improve the overall patient experience. Budget l Conduct an independent audit of the VA similar to the 2018 Department of Defense (DOD) audit to identify IT, management, financial, contracting, and other deficiencies. l Assess the misalignment of VHA facilities and rising infrastructure costs. The VHA operates 172 inpatient medical facilities nationally that are an average of 60 years old. Some of these facilities are underutilized and inadequately staffed. Facilities in certain urban and rural areas are seeing significant declines in the veteran population and strong competition for fresh medical staff. In 2018, Congress authorized an Asset Infrastructure Review (AIR) of national VHA medical markets to provide insight into where the VA health care budget should be responsibly allocated to serve veterans most effectively. However, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee lacked the political will to act on the White House’s nominations of commission members, and this ultimately led to termination of the AIR process. The next Administration should seek out agile, creative, and politically acceptable operational solutions to this aging infrastructure status quo,

Introduction

Strong
Vector: 70%
Pages: 679-681 AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns with the Project 2025 policy objective of overhauling the Family Caregiver Program expansion, focusing on consistency of eligibility and awareness that the most severely wounded or injured may require the program indefinitely. The bill's provisions to expand medical care coverage, employment assistance, and bereavement support for caregivers demonstrate significant overlap in objectives."

Key themes: Family Caregiver Program Veteran Support Services Caregiver Benefits

— 646 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 3. Section 121 (developing and administering an education program that teaches veterans about their health care options available from the Department of Veterans Affairs). 4. Section 152 (returning the Office for Innovation of Care and Payment to the Office of Enterprise Integration with a joint governance process set up with the VHA). 5. Section 161 (overhauling Family Caregiver Program expansion, which has gone poorly, so that it focuses on consistency of eligibility and awareness that the most severely wounded or injured may require the program indefinitely). l Require the VHA to report publicly on all aspects of its operation, including quality, safety, patient experience, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness, using standards similar to those in the Medicare Accountable Care Organization program so that the government may monitor and achieve continuous improvement in the VA system more effectively. l Encourage VA Medical Centers to seek out relevant academic and private- sector input in their communities to improve the overall patient experience. Budget l Conduct an independent audit of the VA similar to the 2018 Department of Defense (DOD) audit to identify IT, management, financial, contracting, and other deficiencies. l Assess the misalignment of VHA facilities and rising infrastructure costs. The VHA operates 172 inpatient medical facilities nationally that are an average of 60 years old. Some of these facilities are underutilized and inadequately staffed. Facilities in certain urban and rural areas are seeing significant declines in the veteran population and strong competition for fresh medical staff. In 2018, Congress authorized an Asset Infrastructure Review (AIR) of national VHA medical markets to provide insight into where the VA health care budget should be responsibly allocated to serve veterans most effectively. However, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee lacked the political will to act on the White House’s nominations of commission members, and this ultimately led to termination of the AIR process. The next Administration should seek out agile, creative, and politically acceptable operational solutions to this aging infrastructure status quo, — 647 — Department of Veterans Affairs reimagine the health care footprint in some locales, and spur a realignment of capacity through budgetary allocations. Specifically: 1. Embrace the expansion of Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) as an avenue to maintain a VA footprint in challenging medical markets without investing further in obsolete and unaffordable VA health care campuses. 2. Explore the potential to pilot facility-sharing partnerships between the VA and strained local health care systems to reduce costs by leveraging limited talent and resources. Personnel l Extend the term of the Under Secretary for Health (USH) to five years. Additionally, authority should be given to reappoint this individual for a second five-year term both to allow for continuity and to protect the USH from political transition. l Establish a Senior Executive Service (SES) position of VHA Care System Chief Information Officer (CIO), selected by and reporting to the chief of the VHA Care System with a dotted line to the VA CIO. l Identify a workflow process to bring wait times in compliance with VA MISSION Act–required time frames wherever possible. 1. Assess the daily clinical appointment load for physicians and clinical staff in medical facilities where wait times for care are well outside of the time frames required by the VA MISSION Act. 2. Require VHA facilities to increase the number of patients seen each day to equal the number seen by DOD medical facilities: approximately 19 patients per provider per day. Currently, VA facilities may be seeing as few as six patients per provider per day. 3. Consider a pilot program to extend weekday appointment hours and offer Saturday appointment options to veterans if a facility continues to demonstrate that it has excess capacity and is experiencing delays in the delivery of care for veterans. 4. Identify clinical services that are consistently in high demand but require cost-prohibitive compensation to recruit and retain talent, and examine exceptions for higher competitive pay.

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

Full Policy Text