Senate Appropriations Committee Markup of FY26 Military Construction and VA Bill

Markup of the FY26 Military Construction and VA Bill

• 📌 The Senate Appropriations Committee convened to consider the fiscal year 2026 Appropriations Bill for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and related agencies.
• ✅ The committee aims to advance bipartisan appropriations bills that reflect the priorities of members and their constituents.
• 🤝 The Milcom VA funding bill is a member-driven product, reflecting input from 89 senators.

Key Provisions and Investments

• 🏠 The bill addresses key needs for military infrastructure, including improvements to housing for military families.
• ⚕️ It supports the VA health care system, with investments in mental health care, veteran suicide prevention, homelessness prevention, and caregiver support.
• 💰 Funding is allocated for important veterans benefits such as disability pensions, the GI Bill, and employment training programs.
• 🏗️ For military construction, the bill provides resources for nearly 300 projects, including new family housing and child development centers, and bolsters the U.S. footprint in the Pacific and NATO projects.

Concerns Regarding Bipartisan Process and Recisions

• ⚠️ Vice Chair Murray expressed frustration over a partisan recisions bill passed by Republicans, which she believes is a dangerous new precedent that erodes bipartisanship.
• 🏛️ There is a concern that the power of the purse is being undermined, with the potential for executive branch actions to undo bipartisan agreements made by Congress.
• 🤝 The discussion highlighted the importance of trust and bipartisan work in the appropriations process, with fears that this foundation is rapidly eroding.
• ⚖️ A debate ensued regarding an amendment proposed by Senator Murphy concerning a report on veteran suicides related to firearm access, which was ultimately not agreed to.
• 🗣️ Senator Mkeley introduced an amendment to exempt the committee's work from floor recisions, sparking a broader discussion about the future of the appropriations process and the need to defend Congress's constitutional authority.

Funding Details and Staff Appreciation

• 📊 The Milcon VA bill provides $153.5 billion in discretionary spending, with $133.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including $163.6 billion for veterans medical care.
• 🌟 The bill also allocates $19.8 billion for military construction and family housing needs, and $355 million for related agencies.
• 👏 Both subcommittee leaders, Senators Boseman and Assaf, and their staffs were commended for their hard work and bipartisan efforts in developing the bill under a tight timeline.