Trump-aligned House holdouts accused of holding 'life-saving' veterans bill 'hostage' over SAVE America Act
A sweeping veterans package supporters describe as the largest expansion of veterans' health care and benefits in more than a decade is expected to return to the House floor when...
By Fox News · Fox News
A sweeping veterans package supporters describe as the largest expansion of veterans' health care and benefits in more than a decade is expected to return to the House floor when lawmakers come back from the July recess, but backers warn the legislation could once again become collateral damage in the Republican standoff over the SAVE America Act . The Take Care of America's Veterans Act rolls roughly 60 veterans bills into a package that would dramatically expand veterans' health care and benefits. At its core, the legislation would cement veterans' access to community care outside the VA while increasing benefits for combat-wounded veterans, caregivers and Gold Star families, expanding mental health services and enacting dozens of additional reforms. House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., told Fox News Digital he intends to bring the Take Care of America's Veterans Act back for a vote as soon as the House reconvenes next week. HOUSE CONSERVATIVES DERAIL GOP AGENDA IN SAVE AMERICA ACT SHOWDOWN The legislation was held up last month after a group of House Republicans joined Democrats to defeat a procedural vote, stopping the House from taking up the bill. "I'm feeling good as long as my members stay with us on the rule," Bost said. "Right now, there's some politics being played, not about this bill, but just in general." The bill became entangled in a broader House Republican fight over the SAVE America Act, legislation championed by President Donald Trump that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. On June 30, the House voted on H. Res. 1398, the procedural rule governing floor consideration of several bills, including the National Defense Authorization Act and the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. The rule failed after 14 Republicans joined Democrats in opposition, preventing the House from taking up the veterans package and bringing floor business to a standstill. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.…