S. 1726 – ASSIST Act of 2025

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Updated November 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM UTC

The ASSIST Act of 2025 updates federal law to make it clear that the Department of Veterans Affairs treats needed vehicle modifications as medical services. This change lets veterans receive VA support for a range of car adaptations that improve safety and accessibility. The bill also pushes back a pension‑payment deadline by about ten months, giving veterans more time to receive benefits.

Key Provisions

Amends the VA’s definition of “medical services” to explicitly include medically necessary automobile adaptations for veterans, such as ramps, kneeling systems, raised doors or lowered floors, raised roofs, air conditioning, mobility lifts, accessibility modifications, wheelchair tiedowns, and adapted seating.
Extends the deadline for certain pension payment limits from November 30, 2031, to September 30, 2032.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 18, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 13, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 13, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

March 18, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in SenateIssued May 13, 2025

II

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1726

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 13, 2025

Mr. Tuberville introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs definition of medical services includes medically necessary automobile adaptations, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025 or the ASSIST Act of 2025.

2.

Clarification regarding inclusion of medically necessary automobile adaptations in Department of Veterans Affairs definition of medical services

Section 1701(6)(I) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

(I)

The provision of any medically necessary automobile adaptations for driver or passenger use, including—

(i)

ramp and kneeling systems;

(ii)

raised doors or lowered floors;

(iii)

raised roofs;

(iv)

air conditioning;

(v)

occupied and unoccupied mobility lifts;

(vi)

ingress or egress accessibility modifications;

(vii)

wheelchair tiedowns; and

(viii)

adapted seating.

.

3.

Extension of certain limits on payments of pension

Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting September 30, 2032.