CRUISE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7083
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-09-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 729.
- Last Updated
- 2026-10-07T19:06:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation aims to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) process for making payments to automobile sellers for vehicles purchased for certain disabled veterans. It also extends the expiration date for certain limits on pension payments.
Key Provisions
- Timeliness of payments: Requires the VA to comply with federal payment regulations under title 31 and to publish in the Federal Register the number of days needed to process any payment not completed within 30 days of receiving the final invoice.
- Centralization: Directs the VA to process all such payments through a single office with appropriate capacity and expertise. The VA must also track and resolve any payments overdue by more than 90 days.
- Reporting requirements: Mandates four semiannual reports to Congress and public posting on VA's website. Reports must detail average and median processing times (disaggregated by Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, or seller involvement) and identify information technology improvements to reduce delays.
- GAO review: Requires the Government Accountability Office to review the centralization effort, assess office capacity, employee skills, IT systems, and provide recommendations with cost estimates, followed by a congressional briefing.
- Pension extension: Changes the expiration date for certain pension payment limits from January 31, 2033, to October 31, 2033.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends section 3902 of title 38, United States Code, by adding timeliness requirements and a new centralized processing subsection.
- Adds new reporting obligations not previously required under this section.
- Extends the sunset date in section 5503(d)(7) by nine months.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Requires the VA to reorganize payment processing into one office, implement new tracking systems, and produce regular public reports, potentially increasing administrative workload initially but aiming for greater efficiency.
- Citizens: May result in faster payments to automobile sellers, reducing delays for disabled veterans receiving vehicle benefits; the pension extension maintains existing benefit limits for a longer period.
- International relations: No direct impacts identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Disabled veterans eligible for automobile grants under chapter 39 of title 38.
- Automobile sellers receiving payments from the VA.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (including Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefits Administration).
- The Government Accountability Office.
- Congressional committees on veterans' affairs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill introduces new transparency measures through Federal Register notices and public reporting but does not alter core eligibility or benefit amounts.
- No apparent constitutional issues; changes are administrative and fiscal in nature.
- The pension date extension provides continuity for affected recipients without creating new entitlements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-09-15: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 729.
- 2026-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-832.
- 2026-09-15: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-832.
- 2026-05-14: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
- 2026-05-14: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-24: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2026-02-24: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Centralized Reimbursement for Upgraded Innovative Service Equipment Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (3 pages)
- Centralized Reimbursement for Upgraded Innovative Service Equipment Act — issued 2026-09-15 — PDF (8 pages)