The U.S. Senate has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act with a vote of 87-9. The bill allocates $153.5 billion in discretionary funding, which includes $19.8 billion for defense and $133.6 billion for nondefense purposes.
Senator Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, said, “The investments this legislation makes in critical Department of Defense infrastructure will help to strengthen our national security, improve our military’s readiness and safety, and reduce maintenance costs. The bill also supports much-needed funding to improve medical care and housing for our nation’s veterans.”
Senator John Boozman, Chair of the MilCon-VA Appropriations Subcommittee, stated, “Providing the resources that support our veterans and their loved ones as well as ensure the Defense Department is able to project power globally, enhance our warfighting capabilities and train our forces is essential, and I’m pleased my colleagues approved this legislation in bipartisan fashion. I’m proud to have secured funding for Arkansas-based national security components including Red River Army Depot and the Arkansas National Guard in addition to tools that help make certain we deliver the benefits and services that veterans deserve.”
Key elements of the bill include $19.8 billion for more than 280 military construction projects worldwide aimed at increasing resiliency and supporting readiness. Of this amount, $1.9 billion is designated for improving housing for servicemembers and their families.
The legislation provides $133.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs to support health care services and benefits.
Provisions remain in place preventing any realignment or closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay or construction of new facilities in the United States to house detainees from Guantanamo.
Additionally, a new measure prohibits the VA from purchasing technology equipment made by Chinese companies listed by several federal departments due to security concerns.
