PFB Act
Requires an honorable discharge and protects VA benefit eligibility for members separated solely because of pseudofolliculitis barbae.
In two House committees since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
A service member’s reason for leaving the military can affect discharge status and access to veterans’ benefits. The PFB Act would require an honorable discharge when pseudofolliculitis barbae is the sole reason for separation. It would also prevent a VA benefit from being denied solely because the member did not meet the minimum active-duty service requirement.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Require an honorable discharge
The responsible service secretary would have to characterize a member’s separation as honorable if pseudofolliculitis barbae is the sole basis for the separation.
- Protect access to veterans’ benefits
A member separated solely because of pseudofolliculitis barbae could not be denied a benefit administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs just because the member did not meet the applicable minimum active-duty service requirement.
A service member’s discharge characterization and length of active-duty service can affect access to veterans’ benefits. The bill would change how those rules apply when pseudofolliculitis barbae alone is the reason for separation.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Jr. with 8 original cosponsorsReferred to Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeesOCT 1, 2026ARMED SERVICES · VETERANS' AFFAIRS NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDReferred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 8 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Conaway’s record: sponsored 16 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Wesley BellD-MO-1ORIGINAL
- Yvette D. ClarkeD-NY-9ORIGINAL
- Sylvia R. GarciaD-TX-29ORIGINAL
- LaMonica McIverD-NJ-10ORIGINAL
- Eleanor Holmes NortonD-DC-ALORIGINAL
- Marilyn StricklandD-WA-10ORIGINAL
- Marc A. VeaseyD-TX-33ORIGINAL
- Frederica S. WilsonD-FL-24ORIGINAL
- Yassamin AnsariD-AZ-3OCT 6, 2026
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Discussion
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