Veterans in Politics: 2026 Policy Guide

Veterans and military families can vote by absentee ballot under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), regardless of where they are stationed . In 2026, major legislation including the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act and FY2026 VA appropriations (over $445 billion) are reshaping benefits, healthcare, and survivor support . This guide covers voting rights, key legislation, and how veterans influence policy.

Quick Facts

Voting Rights for Veterans and Service Members

Active duty service members, National Guard, Reservists, and Veterans living overseas have the right to vote in federal elections under federal law .

Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)

What it is: Federal law requiring states to allow military members, their families, and overseas citizens to register and vote absentee in federal elections.

Who qualifies:

• Active duty service members

• National Guard and Reserve members

• Merchant Marines

• Eligible family members

• U.S. citizens residing outside the country

Why it matters: Service members cannot choose where they are stationed. UOCAVA ensures deployment doesn’t cost them their constitutional right to vote.

What to do next: Visit FVAP.gov for state-specific registration and ballot deadlines. Local and state election offices are the best resources for voting information .

2026 Supreme Court Decision on Military Voting

On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court upheld mail-in voting protections for military and overseas voters in Watson v. Republican National Committee . House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano called it “a landmark day for protecting the sacred right to vote for the thousands of servicemembers, military families, and veterans who depend on mail-in ballots” .

Veterans Voting Rights in D.C.

There are approximately 30,000 veterans living in the District of Columbia who do not have voting representation in Congress or full local self-government. H. Res. 1304, introduced in the 119th Congress, recognizes this as a denial of rights for D.C. resident veterans and supports statehood .

How Military Voters Cast Ballots

During the 2024 general election, about 542,000 uniformed service members were registered to vote while stationed overseas. Postal mail was the most common method of ballot return, with 75% of service members using it .

Resources for military voters:

• FVAP.gov – Federal Voting Assistance Program

• EAC.gov/uocava – U.S. Election Assistance Commission

• Local election offices – State-specific registration and ballot information

Major 2026 Veterans Legislation

2026 is a landmark year for veterans policy, with historic legislation moving through Congress. The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) represents the most comprehensive veterans package in a generation .

Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (H.R. 9237)

What it is: Omnibus legislation introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) on June 10, 2026 . It combines more than 60 bipartisan, widely-supported bills into a single package .

Who it affects: Veterans, service members, survivors, caregivers, and military families across the country.

Why it matters: For the first time in a generation, “the votes and resources line up to move to pass these bills” . The legislation addresses issues that have stalled for years across multiple Congresses and administrations.

What to do next: Veterans and advocates are urged to contact their representatives to support TCAVA. The bill is on the House calendar for floor consideration as of July 2026 .

What TCAVA Includes

Major Richard Star Act Explained

What it is: A provision within TCAVA that ends the unfair “wounded veteran tax.” Currently, more than 59,000 combat-injured veterans with fewer than 20 years of service must forfeit a portion of their military retirement pay dollar-for-dollar to receive VA disability compensation .

Who qualifies: Combat-injured, medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service.

Why it matters: “My brother Richard died waiting for this bill to pass,” said David Star, Major Richard Star’s brother. “Our family and the 59,000 combat-wounded veterans deserve action” . The bill has been introduced multiple times since 2020 with 79 cosponsors but failed to pass under both Democrat and Republican majorities .

VSO Support and Coalition

A coalition of more than 20 leading Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and stakeholders sent a key letter urging Congress to pass TCAVA :

• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

• Wounded Warrior Project

• Elizabeth Dole Foundation

• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

• American Veterans (AMVETS)

• The American Legion

• Air Force Sergeants Association

• Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)

• National Military Family Association (NMFA)

MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret) stated: “Veterans don’t need this legislation tomorrow. They don’t need it even today. Veterans needed this legislation yesterday… It is already well past time to make this happen, and we have a unique, but fleeting, opportunity” .

Funding and Controversy

Pay-for mechanism: TCAVA’s funding includes codifying proposed changes to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities for tinnitus and sleep apnea . Critics note that legislating changes to the VASRD is not standard practice .

Protections for current beneficiaries: VSOs emphasized the bill includes protections to prevent reductions for current beneficiaries. Changes would be:

• Prospective application only (future claims or future requests for increased ratings)

• No retroactive harm to veterans currently receiving compensation 

The American Legion acknowledged the controversy: “We recognize that reasonable people have reached different conclusions, and we respect those differences… The American Legion fulfilled its responsibility to carefully evaluate this legislation and review every provision” .

Veterans’ ACCESS Act

What it is: The Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act, included in TCAVA . It ensures consistent implementation of the VA Community Care Program and streamlines access to mental health and addiction treatment.

Who qualifies: All Veterans eligible for VA healthcare.

Key provisions:

• Establishes existing community care access standards as the baseline standard of care

• Increases access to life-saving treatment programs for mental health and addiction

• Expands criteria VA must consider for community referrals (including Veteran preference and continuity of care) 

Endorsements: Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, VFW, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and MOAA .

Additional TCAVA Provisions

• Caregiver Support: Expands support and assistance provided to family caregivers 

• Education Benefits: Modifies independent study coverage; requires Transition Assistance Program counseling to include VA benefits presentation; increases housing allowance for apprenticeships 

• Survivor Benefits: Extends entitlement to remarried surviving spouses; increases Dependency and Indemnity Compensation rates 

• Mental Health: Expands VA mental health research; establishes standardized screening for priority admission to mental health care programs 

• Concurrent Receipt: Allows concurrent receipt of disability compensation and military retired pay for certain retirees with combat-related disability 

• VA Personnel and Infrastructure: Addresses VA hiring, personnel, and infrastructure matters 

• Memorial Headstones: Expands eligibility for memorial headstones for spouses and dependents 

FY2026 VA Budget and Appropriations

The FY2026 VA budget passed as part of the Continuing Appropriations Act (P.L. 119-37) with $445.49 billion total funding . The bill passed the Senate 87-9 in August 2025 .

VA Budget Breakdown

Source: CRS Report R48968 

Key 2026 Healthcare Funding Priorities

VA medical care discretionary funding of $113.8 billion is combined with $49.8 billion from the Toxic Exposures Fund for total healthcare funding of $163.6 billion .

Source: Senate Appropriations Committee 

Veterans Advocacy and Political Influence

Veterans and military families have significant political influence through VSOs, advocacy organizations, and grassroots engagement.

Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)

VSOs advocate for legislation, help Veterans navigate benefits, and represent the Veteran community in Washington. Key organizations include:

• The American Legion – Largest VSO with over 1.6 million members

• VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

• Wounded Warrior Project – Focuses on post-9/11 Veterans

• Paralyzed Veterans of America

• AMVETS

• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) – Supports grieving families

Congressional Engagement

• House Veterans’ Affairs Committee – Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA)

• Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS), Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

• Veteran Servant Leader Award: Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) honored 32 local veterans for continued community service. Arizona’s 6th District is home to nearly 80,000 veterans .

What Veterans Should Do Next

1. Register to vote – Even if stationed overseas or recently transitioned

2. Contact representatives – Urge support for TCAVA

3. Join a VSO – Get representation and advocacy support

4. Serve as an election worker – EAC partnership with Vet the Vote encourages Veterans to serve at the polls 

5. Stay informed – Follow legislation at Congress.gov and Committee websites

Veterans Serving Their Communities

EAC Commissioners encourage Veterans to continue serving their communities as election workers .

“To those who no longer serve our country in uniform, we now ask you to serve your community at the polls,” the Commissioners stated. “Through the agency’s partnership with Vet the Vote, we have been able to thank hundreds of veterans who have also served as election workers and to encourage others to sign up and serve their community in this way” .

Common Questions

Can active duty military vote while overseas?

Yes. Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), states must allow active duty service members, their families, and overseas citizens to register and vote absentee in federal elections. In 2024, 75% of service members voted by mail .

What is the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act?

TCAVA is a comprehensive 2026 omnibus bill combining over 60 bipartisan veterans provisions. It includes the Major Richard Star Act (ending the offset for combat-injured retirees), the Love Lives On Act (surviving spouse remarriage penalty), and the Veterans’ ACCESS Act (community care standards) .

What is the Major Richard Star Act?

It ends the unfair offset that forces more than 59,000 combat-injured, medically retired veterans to forfeit their earned military retirement pay dollar-for-dollar to receive VA disability compensation. First introduced in 2020, it’s now included in the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act .

How is the VA funded in FY2026?

FY2026 VA funding is $445.49 billion total, including $133.18 billion in discretionary funding and $312.30 billion in mandatory funding. The Toxic Exposures Fund increased 778% to $52.68 billion .

What is the Veterans’ ACCESS Act?

The ACCESS Act, included in TCAVA, ensures consistent implementation of the VA Community Care Program and streamlines access to mental health and addiction treatment. It establishes community care access standards as the baseline and expands criteria for community referrals .

Do Veterans in D.C. have voting representation?

No. Approximately 30,000 Veterans live in D.C. without voting representation in Congress. H. Res. 1304 recognizes this and supports D.C. statehood .

What happened with military voting rights in 2026?

On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court upheld mail-in voting protections for military and overseas voters in Watson v. Republican National Committee, protecting the voting rights of service members and military families .

How can I get involved in veterans advocacy?

Join a VSO, contact your representatives about legislation like TCAVA, register to vote, and consider serving as an election worker through the Vet the Vote partnership .

What mental health funding is included in FY2026?

$18.9 billion for mental health, including $698 million specifically for suicide prevention outreach programs .

Where can I find information about voting as a military member?

Visit FVAP.gov for state-specific voting information or EAC.gov/uocava for UOCAVA resources .

Key Takeaways

• Military voting rights protected by UOCAVA and upheld by Supreme Court in 2026

• TCAVA is the most comprehensive veterans legislation in a generation – includes Major Richard Star Act, Love Lives On Act, and 60+ bills

• Major Richard Star Act ends offset for 59,000+ combat-injured veterans

• **FY2026 VA budget is $445.49 billion** – $77.78B increase over FY2025

• **Mental health funding is $18.9 billion**, with $698M for suicide prevention

• 20+ VSOs support TCAVA including American Legion, MOAA, and Wounded Warrior Project

• Veterans can vote regardless of location – 75% of overseas military voted by mail in 2024

• Veterans can continue serving communities as election workers through Vet the Vote

• D.C. Veterans lack voting representation – 30,000 residents affected

• Advocacy works – Contacting representatives influences legislation

Official Resources

• VA.gov – https://www.va.gov

• Congress.gov – Track legislation including H.R. 9237

• FVAP.gov – Federal Voting Assistance Program for military voters

• EAC.gov/uocava – UOCAVA voting resources

• House Veterans’ Affairs Committee – https://veterans.house.gov

• Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – https://www.veterans.senate.gov

• MOAA – https://www.moaa.org

• The American Legion – https://www.legion.org

• Vet the Vote – Election worker program for Veterans

Disclaimer: This article provides general information. Legislation, eligibility, and requirements may change. For official guidance, visit VA.gov, Congress.gov, or consult an accredited VSO.