Washington, D.C. – January 23, 2026
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed three veteran-support bills into law, marking an early win for bipartisan efforts to strengthen services for America's former service members. The legislation, enacted just three days into the new year, targets key areas including housing affordability, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) budget oversight, and vocational rehabilitation programs.
The bills—H.R. 224, H.R. 1823, and H.R. 4446—passed Congress with broad support from both parties before reaching the president's desk, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing longstanding challenges faced by veterans.
At the forefront is H.R. 224, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, which amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. This measure excludes service-connected disability compensation from income calculations used to determine eligibility for low- and moderate-income housing programs. By removing this barrier, the law is expected to open doors to affordable housing for thousands of disabled veterans who might otherwise be disqualified due to their benefits.
Complementing this, H.R. 1823, the VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act, mandates detailed reporting on funding gaps within the VA. The provision aims to preempt service disruptions by requiring transparency on budget shortfalls, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maintain high-quality care for veterans.
Rounding out the package is H.R. 4446, the Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans’ Employment and Transition Success Act (FAST VETS Act) This bill sets specific conditions under which a veteran's vocational rehabilitation plan must be redeveloped, providing clearer guidelines to tailor employment training programs for those transitioning to civilian life. It builds on existing VA efforts to reduce unemployment rates among veterans by making rehabilitation services more responsive and effective.
The White House announced the signings in a brief statement, highlighting the administration's ongoing priority to "refocus the Department on its core Veterans First mission." While no direct remarks from President Trump were immediately available, the actions align with his first-term emphasis on veteran affairs, including previous reforms to VA accountability.
Veterans' advocacy groups, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), have welcomed the developments. In a recent update, the VFW noted similar tuition fairness legislation signed into law, underscoring a momentum for pro-veteran policies amid rising demands on the VA system.
These laws come as the VA navigates increased enrollment and fiscal pressures, with President Trump's proposed 2026 budget requesting over $2 billion for new facilities and reforms to enhance efficiency. Experts anticipate the measures will provide immediate relief while laying groundwork for broader improvements in veteran support.
For more details on the enacted legislation, visit the White House's official briefings page or GovTrack.us for tracking updates.
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