The U.S. House of Representatives is set to consider the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 this week, which includes key elements from the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The measure aims to provide full-year funding for veteran medical care and benefits, invest in counseling and training programs, and maintain national military cemeteries and memorials.
Supporters of the bill say it addresses important needs for veterans, such as mental health resources, homelessness prevention efforts, modernization of VA infrastructure, and timely access to care. The legislation also seeks to prevent disruptions caused by government shutdowns by guaranteeing stable funding for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) issued a joint statement: “Veterans Day reiterates what we’ve long known: among America’s greatest strengths is the long line of patriots who’ve answered the call to serve, generation after generation. Those who’ve sacrificed and willingly stood ready to defend our freedom deserve to know that the services they rely on will be there. The provisions in this bill ensure they are stable, fully funded, and uninterrupted. Our votes this week will uphold our nation’s promise to our veterans, empower their lives out of uniform, strengthen quality of life for our military families, and support the infrastructure of bases across the globe. It’s a measure that reflects our promises to our heroes—past and present.”
Recent government shutdowns have led to closures at regional VA benefits offices and hotlines like those supporting GI Bill recipients and National Cemetery applicants. Maintenance at national cemeteries has been paused along with processing pre-need burial applications. Transition assistance for service members entering civilian life has also been suspended.
The appropriations act proposes continued funding for veterans’ health care programs as well as research initiatives important to former service members. Investments are planned for electronic health record modernization in order to improve healthcare delivery.
The bill includes measures aimed at protecting Second Amendment rights for veterans by restricting information sharing with law enforcement without judicial consent. It supports ongoing efforts against veteran homelessness with $3.5 billion allocated toward targeted assistance programs.
Additionally, it advances planning work on a new “National Center for Warrior Independence,” designed to offer housing, substance abuse treatment, and job training for homeless veterans.
In terms of national security provisions, the act maintains robust funding levels for military construction projects including those in the Indo-Pacific region while upholding restrictions on closing Naval Station Guantanamo Bay or building detainee facilities within U.S. borders using military funds. It also prohibits VA purchases from entities connected directly or indirectly with China.
