S. 3726

119 S3726 IS: National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026
 U.S. Senate
 2026-01-29
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 3726  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   January 29, 2026   Mr. Moran  (for himself and  Mr. Blumenthal ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Veterans' Affairs    A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the President to define veteran success and to develop and implement a National Veterans Strategy, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026  .
2.
Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
It is in the national interest of the United States for veterans to be successful after their service in the Armed Forces.
(2)
Veterans who are successful across various aspects of their lives after their service in the Armed Forces provide a continued return on investment to the United States for the time and resources spent on their training that made them successful in the Armed Forces.
(3)
Veterans bring highly valued skills to the civilian workforce, including leadership, problem-solving, technical expertise, and teamwork that make the economy of the United States stronger.
(4)
Veterans’ success after service can include starting a business, working in public service, raising a family, pursuing further education, competing in athletics, working to serve other veterans, and improving overall health.
(5)
The success of veterans enhances national security and military readiness. Demonstrating a lifelong commitment to those who serve strengthens recruitment, retention, and morale throughout the Armed Forces.
(6)
A veteran who uses military experience and veteran benefits to achieve success after leaving service in the Armed Forces is a positive influence on the next generation of people of the United States who will consider serving in the Armed Forces.
3.
Defining veteran success and National Veterans Strategy
(a)
In general
Chapter I of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
120.
Defining veteran success and National Veterans Strategy
(a)
Defining veteran success
(1)
Metrics required
The President shall, in collaboration with the key stakeholders described in paragraph (3), establish metrics to determine the well-being of the population of veterans.
(2)
Areas
The metrics established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall apply to areas of physical health, mental health, spiritual health, economic security and opportunity, education, family and social engagement, and civic engagement.
(3)
Key stakeholders
The key stakeholders described in this paragraph are such stakeholders as the President considers key stakeholders for purposes of this subsection and shall include the following:
(A)
Congress.
(B)
The Secretary.
(C)
The Secretary of Defense.
(D)
The Secretary of Labor.
(E)
The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(F)
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(G)
The Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
(H)
State governments.
(I)
Local governments.
(J)
Tribal organizations.
(K)
Veterans service organizations.
(L)
Nonprofit organizations that serve veterans.
(M)
Institutions of higher learning.
(N)
Research organizations with expertise on the veteran population.
(O)
Philanthropy associations.
(P)
Trade and professional associations.
(Q)
Private sector companies, including both large corporations and small business concerns.
(b)
National Veterans Strategy
(1)
Strategy required
The President shall formulate and submit to Congress, not less frequently than once every four years, a national strategy (in this subsection referred to as the  Strategy ) to align the resources and efforts of various government, nonprofit, and private sector organizations to help veterans achieve success in the metrics established under subsection (a)(1).
(2)
Consultation
(A)
In general
In formulating the Strategy, the President shall consult with the key stakeholders specified under subsection (a)(3) and the general public.
(B)
Public participation
The President shall ensure that consultation under subparagraph (A) includes public input through public hearings, surveys, or such other methods as the President considers appropriate to gather feedback from veterans, families of veterans, and the general public.
(3)
Consideration of needs across demographics
The Strategy shall include consideration of the various needs of veterans across demographics that include age, geographic locations, sex, race, period of military service, disability, health conditions, education level, and marital and family status.
(4)
Methods for evaluation of overall well-being
The Strategy shall provide for methods to evaluate overall well-being of veterans using the metrics established under subsection (a)(1).
(5)
Direction for application of benefits and services
The Strategy shall—
(A)
provide direction for what benefits and services should be applied to assist veterans who do not meet the metrics established under subsection (a)(1) in certain areas of health and well-being; and
(B)
prescribe how and by whom such services and benefits should be applied to maximize effectiveness and efficiency across Federal, State, local, nonprofit, and private sector resources.
(6)
Delineation of services provided to organizations
The Strategy may include delineation of what services should be provided by certain types of government or nongovernmental organizations, as well as in what order different types of services or benefits should be provided to achieve the best result in the most efficient manner.
(7)
Direct services and Federal grants
The Strategy may include considerations on how best to coordinate the use of both direct services provided by Federal agencies, as well as Federal grants for State and local governments and nonprofit organizations, or the use of commercial services, to provide direct services to veterans.
(8)
Evaluation of outcomes
(A)
In general
The Strategy shall include standard metrics to evaluate the outcomes achieved from delivering services and benefits to veterans.
(B)
Consistent and uniform application of metrics
Each Federal agency and recipient of a Federal grant, as a condition on continued receipt of the grant, shall apply the standard metrics included under subparagraph (A) consistently and uniformly across programs.
(c)
Congressional disapproval procedures
(1)
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the President may not take any action with regard to a national strategy developed under subsection (b) if, within 60 days after the date on which Congress receives a national strategy under such subsection, Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving the national strategy.
(2)
Contents of resolution
For the purpose of paragraph (1),  joint resolution  means only a joint resolution introduced after the date on which the national strategy referred to in section (b)(1) is received by Congress the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows:  That Congress disapproves the National Veterans Strategy established by the President as submitted to Congress on ______ (the blank space being appropriately filled in). .
(3)
Referral to committee
A resolution described in paragraph (2) introduced in the House of Representatives shall be referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives. A resolution described in paragraph (2) introduced in the Senate shall be referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate. Such a resolution may not be reported before the 8th day after its introduction.
(4)
Discharge of committee
If the committee to which is referred a resolution described in paragraph (2) has not reported such resolution (or an identical resolution) at the end of 15 calendar days after its introduction, such committee shall be deemed to be discharged from further consideration of such resolution and such resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar of the House involved.
(5)
Floor consideration
(A)
In general
When the committee to which a resolution is referred has reported, or has been deemed to be discharged (under paragraph (4)) from further consideration of, a resolution described in paragraph (2), it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for any Member of the respective House to move to proceed to the consideration of the resolution, and all points of order against the resolution (and against consideration of the resolution) are waived. The motion is highly privileged in the House of Representatives and is privileged in the Senate and is not debatable. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the resolution is agreed to, the resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the respective House until disposed of.
(B)
Debate
Debate on the resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. A motion further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the resolution is not in order. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the resolution is agreed to or disagreed to is not in order.
(C)
Vote on final passage
Immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a resolution described in paragraph (2), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the appropriate House, the vote on final passage of the resolution shall occur.
(D)
Rulings of the chair on procedure
Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, to the procedure relating to a resolution described in paragraph (2) shall be decided without debate.
(6)
Coordination with action by other house
If, before the passage by one House of a resolution of that House described in paragraph (2), that House receives from the other House a resolution described in paragraph (2), then the following procedures shall apply:
(A)
The resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee.
(B)
With respect to a resolution described in paragraph (2) of the House receiving the resolution—
(i)
the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no resolution had been received from the other House; but
(ii)
the vote on final passage shall be on the resolution of the other House.
(7)
Rules of house of representatives and senate
This subsection is enacted by Congress—
(A)
as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, and as such it is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a resolution described in paragraph (2), and it supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(B)
with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.
(d)
Implementation of National Veterans Strategy
(1)
Federal, State, local, nonprofit, and private sector coordination
Except as provided in subsection (c) and not before the date that is 60 days after date on which the President submits to Congress the Strategy under subsection (b)(1), the President shall direct the heads of Federal agencies to coordinate with State and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to implement the Strategy. Each head of a Federal agency shall ensure that the agency aligns its resources, services, and initiatives with the objectives outlined in the Strategy.
(2)
Incorporation into agency strategic plans
Each head of a Federal agency shall, as applicable, incorporate the metrics established under subsection (a)(1) and the Strategy into the strategic plan of the agency required by section 306 of title 5.
(3)
Annual reporting
(A)
In general
Not less frequently than once each year, the President shall submit to Congress an annual report detailing the implementation of the Strategy, including progress toward achieving the goals of the Strategy in the areas specified in subsection (a)(2).
(B)
Contents
Each report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
(i)
A review of the performance metrics developed under subsection (a)(1).
(ii)
An assessment of spending pursuant to the Strategy in each of the Federal, State, local, nonprofit, and private sectors, how such spending aligned with the objectives outlined in the Strategy, and identification of effective programs and best practices at the State and local levels that could be replicated in other jurisdictions.
(iii)
Identification of barriers to success in implementing the Strategy and recommendations for such legislative or administrative action for the various jurisdictional levels observed as the President considers appropriate to improve the well-being of the population of veterans.
(e)
Quadrennial reviews
(1)
In general
Not less frequently than once every four years, the President shall—
(A)
review the national strategy formulated under subsection (b)(1) and the metrics established under subsection (a)(1); and
(B)
as the President consider necessary, update such national strategy and metrics.
(2)
Elements
Each review carried out under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A)
Assessment of the effectiveness of initiatives carried out pursuant to the Strategy.
(B)
Identification of challenges encountered by the Federal Government in carrying out the Strategy.
(C)
Recommendations for legislative or administrative action to address the challenges identified pursuant to subparagraph (B).
(3)
Public participation
The President shall ensure that each review under paragraph (1) includes public input through public hearings, surveys, or other such other methods as the President considers appropriate to gather feedback from veterans, families of veterans, and the general public.
(f)
Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize an officer or employee of the Federal Government to carry out any program or policy that is inconsistent with any other provision of Federal law, including the elimination or rescission of any program, benefit, or service required by a provision of Federal law.
(g)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Tribal organization
The term  Tribal organization  has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ).
(2)
Nonprofit organization
The term  nonprofit organization  means an organization described in  section 501(c)  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
(3)
Veterans service organization
The term  veterans service organization  means an organization recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of this title.
 .
(b)
Initial metrics
Not earlier than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall establish the metrics required by section 120(a)(1) of such title, as added by subsection (a).
(c)
Initial strategy
Not earlier than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act and not later than four years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to Congress the first strategy under section 120(b)(1) of such title, as added by subsection (a).
(d)
Clerical amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 119 the following new item:
120. Defining veteran success and National Veterans Strategy.
  .