The U.S. House on Thursday rejected a motion to recommit the Take Care of America's Veterans Act (H.R. 9237) by a 210-211 vote (Roll Call 249), narrowly defeating a Democratic effort to send the legislation back to committee for changes.

House Republican leaders subsequently pulled the legislation from the floor instead of proceeding to a final vote, according to The Hill.

The Take Care of America's Veterans Act is a legislative package combining more than 60 veterans-related bills covering health care, disability compensation, education benefits, caregiver support and mental health programs. The measure also includes the Major Richard Star Act, which would allow certain medically retired combat veterans to receive both military retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation.

Democrats sought to recommit the legislation to committee, a move that would have allowed lawmakers to revise provisions involving VA home loan fees and proposed disability rating changes for tinnitus and sleep apnea before final passage.

Why The Bill Sparked Opposition

Supporters argue the legislation would redirect projected savings from proposed Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating changes for tinnitus and sleep apnea to fund expanded veterans' programs instead of allowing those savings to return to the U.S. Treasury. Opponents contend the proposal would effectively reduce future disability compensation for some veterans.

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) criticized the funding mechanism after the vote.

"Today's vote proves what many of us have been saying: this bill wasn't ready. It has good provisions, but paying for them by reducing disability compensation for veterans with service-related health issues is the wrong approach. We can, and must, do better. Start by passing the Major Richard Star Act," Van Drew said in a statement.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), another Republican who opposed the legislation, told reporters, "I'm not going to cut veterans' benefits."

Veterans Groups Split Over Funding Plan

Ahead of Thursday's vote, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), who introduced the legislation, urged lawmakers to support the package.

"The People's House is about to take a major vote, and the outcome will impact veterans for years to come. I've worked with veterans groups and stakeholders inside and outside of Congress for months on a historic veterans bill that has the strong support of the American Legion," Bost said.

Bost also accused Democrats of using "misleading attacks and scare tactics" against the legislation and said he hoped lawmakers would support the measure.

The bill has divided veterans organizations despite broad support for many of its provisions. The American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and Concerned Veterans for America backed the legislation, while the Veterans of Foreign Wars opposed its funding mechanism.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars said, "America's obligation to those who serve is a debt owed by our nation… not by reducing the earned disability compensation of future generations."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), the top Democrats on the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees, also criticized the proposal, arguing new veterans' benefits should not be financed through projected reductions in future disability compensation, according to The Hill.

The House has not announced when the legislation will return for another vote.

The debate comes as Congress continues to consider veterans-focused legislation. In March, lawmakers introduced the Expanding Veterans' Access to Emerging Treatments Act, a bipartisan measure aimed at expanding research into emerging therapies for conditions affecting veterans, including Alcohol Use Disorder.

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