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H.R. 2935: VA Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act

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H.R. 2935: VA Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-04-30 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-04-30 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 6. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

VA Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act

Plain summary

VA Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act This bill addresses the administration of debt related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits. Specifically, the bill prohibits an individual from incurring a debt to the United States that arises from participation in a VA benefits program and is attributable to the failure of the VA to process information according to its timeliness standards. The VA must notify an individual if it has made an overpayment to the individual and include in the notice information on the right to dispute the overpayment or request a waiver of indebtedness. The VA is prohibited from taking action regarding an overpayment until 90 days after the notice is issued, except in specified circumstances. The VA is prohibited from charging interest or administrative costs for debts related to its disability compensation program, pension program, or educational assistance program. The bill extends from 180 days to one year the deadline by which an individual may request a waiver for relief from paying a debt related to VA benefits. Additionally, the VA is prohibited from seeking to recover a debt if it determines the cost to the VA to recover the debt would exceed the amount of the debt itself. The VA must establish an administrative process for the dispute of a debt's existence or the amount of the debt. The VA is prohibited from deducting from an individual's VA benefits to offset a debt if the amount of the debt is being disputed.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

VA Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 2935, VA Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act (2021-06-11)

Cosponsors on this site

Troy E. Nehls (R-TX)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1] reported raising $23.7 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr2935 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117