The U.S. Senate has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act with a vote of 87-9. The legislation allocates $153.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $19.8 billion for defense purposes and $133.6 billion for nondefense areas.
According to Senator Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, "The investments this legislation makes in critical Department of Defense infrastructure will help to strengthen our national security, improve our military’s readiness and safety, and reduce maintenance costs. The bill also supports much-needed funding to improve medical care and housing for our nation’s veterans."
Senator John Boozman, Chair of the MilCon-VA Appropriations Subcommittee, stated, “Providing the resources that support our veterans and their loved ones as well as ensure the Defense Department is able to project power globally, enhance our warfighting capabilities and train our forces is essential, and I’m pleased my colleagues approved this legislation in bipartisan fashion. I’m proud to have secured funding for Arkansas-based national security components including Red River Army Depot and the Arkansas National Guard in addition to tools that help make certain we deliver the benefits and services that veterans deserve.”
The bill includes $19.8 billion for over 280 military construction projects worldwide aimed at improving resilience and supporting readiness. It also designates $1.9 billion specifically for upgrading housing for service members and their families.
For the Department of Veterans Affairs, the measure sets aside $133.3 billion to support health care services and other benefits for veterans.
Other provisions include maintaining restrictions on changes or closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay or building new facilities in the United States for detainees currently held there. Additionally, a new clause prohibits the VA from buying technology equipment from Chinese companies listed by several federal departments due to security concerns.
