VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin said in May that any decision on rescheduling marijuana would have to come from Congress, but he expressed interest in it as a potential treatment if research supports it.

“If there is compelling evidence that this is helpful, I hope the people take a look at that,” Shulkin said.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., introduced the amendment in the Senate’s version of the VA spending bill. Like Blumenauer’s, Daines’ amendment would provide veterans the opportunity to access medical marijuana through the VA in states where it has been legalized. The Senate Appropriations Committee voted July 13 to include Daines’ provision in the bill by a 24-7 vote.

“Montana’s veterans have suffered under the status quo for too long,” Daines said in a prepared statement after the vote. “We are beginning to make real progress for Montana’s veterans and I look forward to continuing to make progress for them.”

Despite what they see as a setback with the House Rules Committee decision on Tuesday, veterans advocates remain hopeful that the measure eventually will pass.