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Congress·Passed Both·6 months ago

Congress Sends $241B Veterans, Military Base, and Agriculture Funding Bill to Trump's Desk

Also known as: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ House

218–206

✓ Senate

87–9

President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • The bill provides over $241 billion for veterans' compensation and pensions, ensuring that those who served continue to receive their disability and retirement payments. It also sets aside $52 billion specifically for the 'Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund' to help veterans who were sickened by burn pits or other environmental hazards during their service.
  • The Department of Veterans Affairs would receive billions for medical care, including $1.4 billion for women’s health programs and $697 million for suicide prevention. A special rule in the bill also prevents the government from interfering with veterans who use state-approved medical marijuana programs or denying them services because of it.
  • For families and children, the plan includes $118 billion for the SNAP program (food stamps) and $8.2 billion for WIC to help low-income mothers and children buy healthy food. It also continues funding for free and reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.
  • Military families would see improvements to their living conditions, with hundreds of millions of dollars dedicated to building and maintaining family housing for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The bill also funds major construction projects at military bases across the country and provides $481 million for NATO security projects.
  • Rural communities are supported through loans and grants for clean water, electricity, and high-speed internet. This includes $25 billion for guaranteed rural housing loans and $35 million for a pilot program to expand broadband access to the most remote areas that currently lack reliable internet service.
VeteransAgricultureHealthcareHousingInfrastructure Transportation

Milestones

13 milestones56 actions
Sep 18, 2025Senate

Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.

Sep 11, 2025House

The Speaker appointed conferees: Cole, Aderholt, Carter of Texas, Harris of Maryland, Valadao, Newhouse, Moolenaar, Rutherford, Cline, Hinson, Letlow, Guest, Zinke, Bice, Scott Franklin of Florida, LaLota, Strong, Maloy, Moore of West Virginia, DeLauro, Hoyer, Kaptur, Bishop, Wasserman Schultz, Cuellar, Pingree, Quigley, Espaillat, Underwood, Levin, Escobar, and Perez.

Sep 11, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sep 11, 2025House

On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 213 (Roll no. 263). (consideration: CR H4249)

Sep 11, 2025

Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 213 (Roll no. 263). (consideration: CR H4249-4250: 2)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2025-10-01

FY2026 funding takes effect for VA healthcare, military construction, agriculture programs, and food assistance

Veterans continue receiving healthcare and benefits without disruption, SNAP and WIC benefits continue for millions of families, and rural development programs remain operational for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025

2026-06-01

VA must submit Electronic Health Record deployment plan to unlock 25% of EHR funding

The VA's troubled electronic health records modernization program must meet specific benchmarks — including updated cost estimates, deployment schedules, and performance certifications — before $872 million in withheld funds become available on July 1, 2026

2026-10-01

Advance appropriations for FY2027 VA medical care and benefits become available

Over $120 billion in advance-funded VA medical services, community care, and support becomes available on October 1, 2026, ensuring veterans' healthcare is not disrupted by any future government shutdown or funding gap

Vote Results

16 votes
HouseFailedAmendmentJun 25, 2025

On Motion to Recommit

208
216
Democrat
208 – 0 · 4
Republican
0 – 216 · 4
View full roll call
HousePassedPassageJun 25, 2025

On Passage

218
206
Democrat
2 – 206 · 4
Republican
216 – 0 · 4
View full roll call
HouseFailedSep 11, 2025

On Motion to Instruct Conferees

211
213
Democrat
209 – 0 · 4
Republican
2 – 213 · 4
View full roll call
SenatePassedProceduralJul 22, 2025

On the Motion to Proceed

50
48
Democrat
0 – 45
Republican
50 – 1 · 2
Independent
0 – 2
View full roll call
SenatePassedClotureJul 22, 2025

On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

91
7
Democrat
40 – 5
Republican
50 – 1 · 2
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call
SenatePassedProceduralJul 23, 2025

On the Motion to Proceed

90
8
Democrat
40 – 5
Republican
49 – 2 · 2
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call
SenateFailedAug 1, 2025

On the Motion

To limit recissions of funding.

44
51
Democrat
42 – 0 · 3
Republican
0 – 51 · 2
Independent
2 – 0
View full roll call
SenateFailedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

To require a report on veterans who would have been reported to the national instant criminal background check system and who die by suicide with a firearm.

44
51
Democrat
42 – 0 · 3
Republican
0 – 51 · 2
Independent
2 – 0
View full roll call
SenateFailedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

To prohibit funds from being used for reorganization of the Department of Agriculture and to require a benefit-cost analysis on that reorganization, a public comment period, and a report.

42
53
Democrat
40 – 2 · 3
Republican
0 – 51 · 2
Independent
2 – 0
View full roll call
SenateFailedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the plan of the Secretary for Department of Veterans Affairs workforce reduction in fiscal year 2026.

45
50
Democrat
42 – 0 · 3
Republican
1 – 50 · 2
Independent
2 – 0
View full roll call
SenateFailedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

To reduce the Agriculture discretionary appropriations by 2 percent across the board.

14
81
Democrat
0 – 42 · 3
Republican
14 – 37 · 2
Independent
0 – 2
View full roll call
SenateFailedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

To reduce funding for certain programs under the division making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

15
81
Democrat
0 – 43 · 2
Republican
15 – 36 · 2
Independent
0 – 2
View full roll call
SenateFailedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

To limit disclosures regarding earmarks.

21
75
Democrat
0 – 43 · 2
Republican
21 – 30 · 2
Independent
0 – 2
View full roll call
SenatePassedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

In the nature of a substitute.

87
9
Democrat
37 – 6 · 2
Republican
49 – 2 · 2
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call
SenatePassedPassageAug 1, 2025

On Passage of the Bill

87
9
Democrat
37 – 6 · 2
Republican
49 – 2 · 2
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call
SenatePassedAmendmentAug 1, 2025

On the Amendment

To improve the bill.

81
15
Democrat
38 – 5 · 2
Republican
42 – 9 · 2
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call

Related News

2 articles
PBS News·4 months ago

What's in the Senate shutdown deal

The deal funds the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction, and the Department of Agriculture through September 2026. It includes $8.2 billion for WIC and restores SNAP funding. The package combines three full-year appropriations bills to end the record 43-day government shutdown.

CL=
Military Times·8 months ago

House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026

House Republicans approved a massive $435.3 billion budget for the VA, fully funding health care and benefits. The bill includes a bipartisan amendment to prohibit the VA from denying veterans participation in state-approved medical marijuana programs, though its final inclusion remains debated.

C+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill NumberHR 3944
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionMessage on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.