U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, addressed the Senate before a 90-8 procedural vote to advance the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act. The bill passed out of the Committee with a 26-3 vote.
Senator Collins stated, “Madam President, today the Senate has the opportunity to begin consideration of an appropriations bill that is vital to those now serving in our military, as well as those who have served, our veterans. I urge my colleagues to support cloture on the motion to proceed to the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill when we vote this afternoon.”
She emphasized that the bill addresses military infrastructure needs and supports veterans. “This bill addresses key military infrastructure needs, including housing improvements for military families, and it takes care of our nation's veterans to whom we owe an enormous debt,” she said.
Collins also acknowledged her personal connection as a daughter of a World War II veteran. She commended subcommittee chairman Senator Boozman and ranking member Senator Ossoff for their cooperation on the bill.
The senator highlighted that under her leadership with Vice Chair Murray, they aimed to restore regular order in advancing bills so all Senators could participate in debates and amendments. She noted challenges faced due to delays from previous years but praised committee members' hard work.
“Turning now to the bill at hand,” Collins said last week their Committee reported favorably on the House-passed Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill with Senate amendments. The measure includes resources for defense installations like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine and support for veterans’ benefits.
Collins concluded by expressing hope for invoking cloture to proceed with considering additional appropriations bills related to Legislative Branch Appropriations and Agriculture among others.
“Finally,” she noted Congress's constitutional responsibility over appropriations stating: “‘No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.’”
