Supporting VA Families Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8041
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-15: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8041 - Supporting VA Families Act
Purpose
This bill aims to provide Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees with an additional period of unpaid parental leave to care for a new child, supporting family needs without affecting existing leave rights.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility: All VA employees, including full-time staff in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) covered under specific hiring rules (section 7421(b) of title 38, U.S. Code), qualify.
- Leave Details:
- 4 administrative weeks (equivalent to about one month of work time) of unpaid leave.
- Available during any 12-month period for:
- Birth of the employee's son or daughter, to care for the child.
- Placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care.
- Leave must be used within 12 months of the birth or placement.
- Supplemental Nature: This leave is in addition to any existing federal leave (under title 5 or VA-specific rules in title 38, U.S. Code), not a replacement.
- Definitions: "Employee" and "son or daughter" follow standard federal definitions from section 6831 of title 5, U.S. Code (generally covering biological, adopted, or foster children under age 18, or older if incapable of self-care).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Overrides section 7421 of title 38, U.S. Code (which limits certain VA employee leave) and other laws to create this new entitlement.
- Adds a VA-specific parental leave benefit beyond general federal employee protections, like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Potential Impacts
- VA Agency: May improve employee retention and morale by offering family-friendly policies; could temporarily increase staffing gaps during leave periods.
- Citizens (VA Employees and Families): Provides more flexibility for new parents to bond with children without losing pay from other leave sources; benefits VA workforce serving veterans.
- Veterans: Indirectly positive, as happier VA staff might enhance service quality.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: VA employees (especially new parents) and their families.
- Secondary: Department of Veterans Affairs (as employer), VA leadership (for implementation), and veterans relying on VA services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes a clear, enforceable entitlement "notwithstanding" conflicting laws, potentially setting precedent for agency-specific family leave expansions.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal authority over executive branch employment; no apparent conflicts with equal protection or due process.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Bynum and Ciscomani); referred to House Veterans' Affairs Committee; focuses on supporting public servants without fiscal mandates (unpaid leave).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
Cosponsors (52)
Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large] and 2 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-15: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2026-04-15: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
- 2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting VA Families Act — issued 2026-03-24 — PDF (3 pages)