The House Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (Milcon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, on June 5, held a mark-up hearing and voted along party lines to advance the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Milcon-VA appropriations bill which provides funding for the VA. According to the bill text and summary issued on June 4, the bill would fund VA medical care at $131.4 billion which includes VA’s direct medical care program, community care program, and the medical and prosthetic research program, among other programs. Within the total, the bill would fund the VA’s medical and prosthetic research program at $943 million, flat compared to FY 2025 enacted levels, and the FY 2026 budget request (refer to related story).
During the hearing, subcommittee Chair John Carter (R-Texas) stated that the bill ensures that “our veterans get the benefits and care that they have earned … while also addressing other critical issues affecting veterans including homelessness, mental health services, and takes care of our women veterans.” Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) expressed her opposition to the bill stating that it “is hurtling us down the path toward VA privatization, straight out of the Project 2025 playbook.”
The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark-up the bill on June 10.
- Washington Highlights