House passes veterans package by voice vote on Veterans Day; Takano and the VFW say Republicans avoided a recorded vote, and Republicans say Democrats did not ask for one
The House passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote on November 11, 2026. Mark Takano and the VFW say Republicans avoided a recorded vote on its disability-benefit offset; Republicans say Democrats did not ask for one.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
The House first took up the bill on July 16, 2026. A Democratic motion to send it back to committee failed 210 to 211, and Republican leaders then pulled it from the floor before a final vote.
The VFW and other veterans groups backed a stand-alone Major Richard Star Act instead. That bill ends the offset that reduces the military retirement pay of medically retired, combat-injured veterans by the amount of their VA disability pay. The committee's Republicans say more than 30 veterans groups, advocates and other organizations support the larger package.
On November 12, the House passed the stand-alone Star Act 392 to 18 after a discharge petition forced a vote. The Take Care of America's Veterans Act now goes to the Senate.
People in this case
Mark TakanoDirectly involved
Mike BostDirectly involved
Steve ScaliseDirectly involved
Ted LieuCommented
Timeline
5 timeline entries on this page. Dates: June 10, 2026 to November 12, 2026
June 2026
Republican leaders introduce the Take Care of America's Veterans Act
The package folds a version of the Major Richard Star Act into dozens of other veterans provisions. Takano and major veterans organizations oppose it over its funding structure.
[01]Mark Takano
Release from the Democrats of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on the House passage of the Major Richard Star Act by a vote of 392 to 18 on November 12, 2026, with a timeline that includes the introduction of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act on June 10, 2026.
House Passes Major Richard Star Act, Ending the Wounded Veterans Tax · Mark TakanoPress release text, including its timeline of the bill
July 2026
Bill is pulled from the floor after a 210 to 211 vote
A Democratic motion to send the bill back to committee fails 210 to 211, and Republican leaders pull the bill before a final vote.
[02]House Roll Call 249: On Motion to Recommit the Take Care of America's Veterans Act
Official House roll call on the Democratic motion to recommit H.R. 9237, which failed 210 to 211 on July 16, 2026.
House Roll Call 249: On Motion to Recommit the Take Care of America's Veterans ActRoll Call 249, July 16, 2026, 11:15 a.m.[03]Politico
Politico report of November 11, 2026, published on Yahoo News, on the voice vote that passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. It quotes Mark Takano, Steve Scalise, Ted Lieu and the VFW's national commander.
Politico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle text
November 2026
House passes the bill by voice vote on Veterans Day
Incident
The chair declares the bill passed by voice vote, with no recorded vote. Takano says he was negotiating changes to the bill away from the podium when the vote was called.
[03]Politico
Politico report of November 11, 2026, published on Yahoo News, on the voice vote that passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. It quotes Mark Takano, Steve Scalise, Ted Lieu and the VFW's national commander.
Politico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle text[04]Mike Bost
Release from the Republican majority of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs after the House passed H.R. 9237, with statements by Chairman Mike Bost, Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Lisa McClain, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Tom Barrett.
[05]Mark Takano
Statement by Mark Takano, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the afternoon the House passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote.
Ranking Member Takano: Republicans Make Largest Cut to Veteran Benefits in History, on Veterans Day · Mark TakanoPress release textTakano and the VFW condemn the vote; Republicans say Democrats did not ask for a roll call
Reaction
Takano calls the bill the largest cut to veterans' benefits in the nation's history and the VFW calls its passage cowardly and dishonorable. Scalise says the bill has already passed, and the House floor freezes briefly.
[03]Politico
Politico report of November 11, 2026, published on Yahoo News, on the voice vote that passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. It quotes Mark Takano, Steve Scalise, Ted Lieu and the VFW's national commander.
Politico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle text[05]Mark Takano
Statement by Mark Takano, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the afternoon the House passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote.
Ranking Member Takano: Republicans Make Largest Cut to Veteran Benefits in History, on Veterans Day · Mark TakanoPress release text[06]Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post by the VFW's national headquarters account quoting National Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler on the House passage of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, with a link to the VFW's release.
VFW post on X quoting Cory Geisler on the House passage of the veterans package · Veterans of Foreign WarsPost on X, November 11, 2026, 4:40 p.m. ESTHouse passes the stand-alone Major Richard Star Act 392 to 18
A discharge petition forces a vote on the stand-alone bill, which ends the offset that reduces military retirement pay for medically retired, combat-injured veterans. It goes to the Senate.
[01]Mark Takano
Release from the Democrats of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on the House passage of the Major Richard Star Act by a vote of 392 to 18 on November 12, 2026, with a timeline that includes the introduction of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act on June 10, 2026.
House Passes Major Richard Star Act, Ending the Wounded Veterans Tax · Mark TakanoPress release text, including its timeline of the bill
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is the largest cut to veterans' benefits in the nation's history, cutting $57 billion from the disability benefits of future veterans.
What is disputed
Takano makes this claim in his statement on the bill's passage, and the VFW calls the bill the largest net benefit cut since the Great Depression. Bost and the committee's Republicans describe the package as the largest healthcare and benefits expansion for veterans, their families and survivors in decades.
Sources (3)
- Ranking Member Takano: Republicans Make Largest Cut to Veteran Benefits in History, on Veterans Day · Mark TakanoPress release text
- VFW Condemns Cowardly and Dishonorable House Passage of Benefit Cuts on Veterans Day · Veterans of Foreign WarsPress release text
Disputed claim
Republicans called the voice vote while Takano and his staff were away from the podium negotiating changes to the bill, which is why no Democrat asked for a recorded vote.
What is disputed
Takano gave this account to Politico, and the VFW's statement describes Takano being called off the floor to discuss amending the bill when the chair declared the bill passed. Republicans said Democrats neglected to request a roll call, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the bill had already passed and could be reopened only by unanimous consent.
Sources (2)
- Politico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle text
- VFW Condemns Cowardly and Dishonorable House Passage of Benefit Cuts on Veterans Day · Veterans of Foreign WarsPress release text
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
5 responses. Newest first.
Steve ScaliseHouse majority leader, quoted by Politico after the voteDirectly involvedBefore this statement
Politico reported that Republicans said Democrats neglected to ask for a roll-call vote, and that Scalise said the bill had already passed and Democrats had no grounds to reverse it.
"If a few of them want to go voice their objections, they can go and make it clear on the House floor why they're against our veterans on Veterans Day ... But I was proud to support it."
Defended or excusedResponding to: Republicans called the voice vote while Takano and his staff were away from the podium negotiating changes to the bill, which is why no Democrat asked for a recorded vote.
Full statement and sources
Scalise says the bill has already passed, that Democrats who object can explain on the House floor why they are against veterans on Veterans Day, and that he was proud to support it.
After the statement
Scalise said the vote could be reversed only by unanimous consent and that the bill has tremendous support.
Politico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle textWhy this label?
The reference point is the House's passage of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote on November 11, 2026, a package paid for in part by cuts to some future disability claims. Scalise stands by the vote, says the bill has already passed and puts the dispute on Democrats, which defends the passage.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Ted LieuVice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, quoted by PoliticoBefore this statement
Politico reported that Lieu, the No. 4 Democratic leader, offered sharper criticism than Takano, calling the move shameful.
"To do this on Veterans Day is particularly unconscionable"
CondemnedCase context: House passes veterans package by voice vote on Veterans Day; Takano and the VFW say Republicans avoided a recorded vote, and Republicans say Democrats did not ask for one
Full statement and sources
Lieu, the No. 4 House Democratic leader, calls the way the bill was passed shameful and says doing it on Veterans Day is particularly unconscionable.
After the statement
Takano told Politico he was walking through all of the Democrats' options to respond.
Politico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle textWhy this label?
The reference point is the House's passage of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote on November 11, 2026, a package paid for in part by cuts to some future disability claims. Lieu calls the move shameful and unconscionable, which condemns the passage.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Veterans of Foreign WarsVeterans service organization, in a statement by National Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler posted on XDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The VFW opposed the bill. Its national headquarters posted this statement from Geisler on X after the House passed the bill by voice vote.
"It is an insult to America's veterans that Congress would advance legislation threatening their earned benefits on Veterans Day, the very day our nation is supposed to honor their service and sacrifice … Playing political games with veterans’ benefits while avoiding public accountability is cowardly and dishonorable."
CondemnedResponding to: Republicans called the voice vote while Takano and his staff were away from the podium negotiating changes to the bill, which is why no Democrat asked for a recorded vote.
Full statement and sources
VFW National Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler says advancing the bill on Veterans Day is an insult to veterans and that passing it while avoiding public accountability is cowardly and dishonorable.
After the statement
Politico reported that Geisler also said congressional leaders should have had the courage to let every member's position be recorded for the country to see.
VFW post on X quoting Cory Geisler on the House passage of the veterans package · Veterans of Foreign WarsPost on X, November 11, 2026, 4:40 p.m. ESTPolitico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle textWhy this label?
The reference point is the House's passage of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote on November 11, 2026, a package paid for in part by cuts to some future disability claims. The VFW calls the passage an insult to veterans and cowardly and dishonorable, which condemns it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Mark TakanoRanking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in a committee statementDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The House passed H.R. 9237 by voice vote on the afternoon of November 11, 2026, and Takano released this statement afterward.
"House Republicans just passed the largest cut to veterans’ benefits in our nation’s history, and they did it on Veterans Day. They did it by voice vote, in seconds, with no roll call and no names. They did it that way because they knew they could not defend it."
CondemnedResponding to: The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is the largest cut to veterans' benefits in the nation's history, cutting $57 billion from the disability benefits of future veterans.
Full statement and sources
Takano says the bill is the largest cut to veterans' benefits in the nation's history and that Republicans passed it by voice vote, with no roll call, because they knew they could not defend it.
After the statement
Takano says Republicans cut $57 billion from the disability benefits of future veterans and calls on them to bring the clean Major Richard Star Act to the floor.
Ranking Member Takano: Republicans Make Largest Cut to Veteran Benefits in History, on Veterans Day · Mark TakanoPress release textPolitico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation · PoliticoArticle textWhy this label?
The reference point is the House's passage of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote on November 11, 2026, a package paid for in part by cuts to some future disability claims. Takano calls the bill a cut to veterans' benefits and says the voice vote was used to avoid a record, which condemns the passage.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Mike BostChairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, in a committee statementDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The committee's Republican majority released statements from Bost and party leaders after the House passed H.R. 9237 on Veterans Day.
"The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act is a historic healthcare and benefits expansion that will positively impact millions of veterans and American families. ... This bill will make a difference in their lives. This bill will help families make ends meet. This bill will uphold the promise."
Defended or excusedResponding to: The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is the largest cut to veterans' benefits in the nation's history, cutting $57 billion from the disability benefits of future veterans.
Full statement and sources
Bost says the package the House passed is a historic healthcare and benefits expansion that will help millions of veterans and their families.
After the statement
Bost says he is committed to working with the Senate to get the bill to the president's desk before the end of the year.
Why this label?
The reference point is the House's passage of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote on November 11, 2026, a package paid for in part by cuts to some future disability claims. Bost praises the bill the House passed as a historic expansion of benefits, which defends its passage.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(7)
Reporting
Politico: Surprise House passage of veterans bill sparks 'trickery' accusation
Relevant passage: Article text
About this source
Politico report of November 11, 2026, published on Yahoo News, on the voice vote that passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. It quotes Mark Takano, Steve Scalise, Ted Lieu and the VFW's national commander.
- Author
- Mia McCarthy and Riley Rogerson
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
VFW post on X quoting Cory Geisler on the House passage of the veterans package
About this source
Post by the VFW's national headquarters account quoting National Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler on the House passage of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act, with a link to the VFW's release.
- Author
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
House Roll Call 249: On Motion to Recommit the Take Care of America's Veterans Act
Relevant passage: Roll Call 249, July 16, 2026, 11:15 a.m.
About this source
Official House roll call on the Democratic motion to recommit H.R. 9237, which failed 210 to 211 on July 16, 2026.
- Author
- Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
House Passes Major Richard Star Act, Ending the Wounded Veterans Tax
Relevant passage: Press release text, including its timeline of the bill
About this source
Release from the Democrats of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on the House passage of the Major Richard Star Act by a vote of 392 to 18 on November 12, 2026, with a timeline that includes the introduction of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act on June 10, 2026.
- Author
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Democrats
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
VFW Condemns Cowardly and Dishonorable House Passage of Benefit Cuts on Veterans Day
Relevant passage: Press release text
About this source
Release by the Veterans of Foreign Wars on November 11, 2026, with statements by National Commander-in-Chief Cory Geisler on the House passage of H.R. 9237 and on Section 108 of the bill.
- Author
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Ranking Member Takano: Republicans Make Largest Cut to Veteran Benefits in History, on Veterans Day
Relevant passage: Press release text
About this source
Statement by Mark Takano, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released the afternoon the House passed the Take Care of America's Veterans Act by voice vote.
- Author
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Democrats
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
House Veterans' Affairs Committee release: House Republicans deliver healthcare and benefits expansion to veterans on Veterans Day
Relevant passage: Press release text
About this source
Release from the Republican majority of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs after the House passed H.R. 9237, with statements by Chairman Mike Bost, Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Lisa McClain, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Tom Barrett.
- Author
- House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Published
- Accessed
Share or embed this case
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the case page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- House passes veterans package by voice vote on Veterans Day; Takano and the VFW say Republicans avoided a recorded vote, and Republicans say Democrats did not ask for one
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/take-care-of-americas-veterans-act-veterans-day-voice-vote
The Dispute Index. "House passes veterans package by voice vote on Veterans Day; Takano and the VFW say Republicans avoided a recorded vote, and Republicans say Democrats did not ask for one". First published: 2026-11-12. Last updated: 2026-11-13. https://disputeindex.com/cases/take-care-of-americas-veterans-act-veterans-day-voice-vote