Metro East Sun

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) issued a statement following the passage of a package of funding bills by House Republicans. The legislation, which includes a continuing resolution to end what he called the "Democrat Shutdown," and full funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Fiscal Year 2026, has been sent to President Trump.

“For 43 days Democrats played politics with the American people – including America’s veterans and their families – and held the services they rely on to live their lives hostage. Paychecks missed, benefits in jeopardy, and worries about if they will be able to put food on the table or pay their bills – all for Democrats’ own political posturing,” said Chairman Bost. “However, with today’s leadership by House and Senate Republicans we have sent a commonsense funding bill to President Trump’s desk to reopen the government to ensure that veterans – and all Americans – can access the government services they may need,” Chairman Bost continued. “We also sent a historic investment in VA to the president’s desk. This budget reflects the end of the Biden-era control over veterans’ care and benefits and will continue to protect veterans’ constitutional rights. The fiscal year 2026 MilCon/VA funding bill places veterans back at the center of the mission and will ensure that we can continue to deliver care and benefits for the men and women who have served.”

The final FY26 Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations bill contains several provisions championed by Chairman Bost. One provision prohibits the VA from submitting names of veterans or beneficiaries to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) without a judge's determination that they pose a danger, ensuring due process rights for veterans with fiduciaries.

Another section blocks reductions in reimbursements for private ground and air ambulance emergency transportation services, protecting rural and remote veterans' access to emergency medical care in response to recent federal rule changes.