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Thursday, June 26, 2025

House passes FY26 MilCon/VA appropriations bill with veteran-focused provisions

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U.S. Rep. Mike Bost representing Illinois' 12th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost representing Illinois' 12th Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot

On June 25, 2025, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost announced the passage of H.R. 3944, known as the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation is designed to fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Fiscal Year 2026. Chairman Bost emphasized that this bill aligns with key priorities established alongside House Republicans and the Trump administration to enhance care and services at VA facilities.

“Just as we did last year, House Republicans alongside President Trump upheld our promise to veterans and passed a significant investment in VA to place them back at the center of the mission by effectively delivering care and benefits,” stated Chairman Bost. He further highlighted that the bill includes provisions he advocated for, such as investments in healthcare tailored to veterans' needs, protection of veterans' due process rights, safeguarding life sanctity, and funding for modernizing VA facilities.

Bost expressed gratitude towards Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole and MilCon/VA Subcommittee Chairman Judge Carter for their collaboration in securing these provisions in support of veterans and their families.

The bill includes several specific provisions:

- Sanctity of Life Protections (Sec. 255): This section prohibits the VA from providing taxpayer-funded abortions outside Hyde Amendment protections, reversing a policy from the Biden era.

- Second Amendment Protections (Sec. 260): It prevents the VA from submitting names to the FBI’s NICS list without judicial consent unless deemed a danger to themselves or others.

- Emergency Transportation Protections (Sec. 257): This provision ensures that reimbursements for private emergency transportation services are not reduced under new rules, thereby protecting access for rural veterans.

These measures reflect an effort to move away from what Bost describes as "the end of the Biden-era bureaucracy" which he claims hindered effective delivery of care and benefits.

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