Fisher House Availability Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 3119
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-02T14:57:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation amends title 38 of the United States Code to expand access to temporary lodging facilities operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including Fisher Houses. The goal is to make these facilities available on a space-available basis to members of the Armed Forces, other active duty individuals, and their family members who need to travel for care or services.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The Act is named the "Fisher House Availability Act of 2025."
- Expansion of Eligibility:
- Allows VA temporary lodging for eligible individuals (members of the Armed Forces or those on active duty) and their family members who must travel a significant distance to receive care at a VA facility or non-VA facility.
- Extends access to family members of veterans or eligible individuals traveling for care, along with the veteran or individual and accompanying support persons.
- Access is granted only when space is available after priority users.
- Updates to Definitions:
- Defines "eligible individual" as a member of the Armed Forces (regardless of duty status) or any individual on active duty.
- Clarifies "Fisher house" as a temporary housing facility near a VA medical center, built and donated by the Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Armed Services Foundation or the Fisher House Foundation, Inc.
- Administrative Requirements: Directs the VA Secretary to establish criteria for space-available access and update related regulations.
- Repeal and Redesignation: Removes one subsection and renumbers others for clarity.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior law under section 1708 limited lodging primarily to veterans receiving care and their immediate family members providing support.
- This bill broadens eligibility to include active duty military personnel and their families traveling for medical or support services at VA or non-VA sites, but only on a space-available basis.
- It adds new paragraphs to subsection (b) to cover these additional groups and requires new criteria for prioritizing space-available use.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA may see increased demand for lodging facilities, requiring updated management policies and possible resource allocation adjustments. Coordination with non-VA facilities could expand.
- On Citizens: Military families and active duty personnel gain new options for temporary housing during travel for care, potentially reducing costs and stress. Veterans and their families may face more competition for limited spaces.
- On International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), responsible for implementation and facility management.
- Members of the Armed Forces and active duty individuals.
- Family members of veterans, active duty personnel, and eligible individuals.
- The Fisher House Foundation and related donors.
- Veterans receiving care at VA facilities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill operates within existing VA authority under title 38 and introduces no apparent constitutional conflicts, as it focuses on benefit expansion rather than new mandates.
- It maintains the space-available limitation to preserve priority for primary users, avoiding potential overreach concerns.
- Bipartisan introduction suggests broad support, but implementation details may depend on future funding or VA rulemaking.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-12-10: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
- 2025-11-06: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-11-06: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Fisher House Availability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-06 — PDF (5 pages)