All Roll Calls
Yes: 905 • No: 659
HR3944119th CongressWALLET
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Carter, John R. [R-TX-31]
Resolving Differences
Summary
Federal appropriations for military construction and Veterans Affairs set funding and rules across the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, USDA programs, the FDA, and the Legislative Branch. It packages Military Construction/VA, Agriculture/FDA, and Legislative Branch spending into one FY2026 appropriations act.
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- Veterans and VA patients: Large VA accounts for benefits and care are funded, including $241.9 billion for Compensation and Pensions and a new $52.7 billion Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund for health care, benefits, and research. These funds also include major VHA and medical facility allocations and a $3.5 billion Veterans EHR account with reporting controls.
- Service members and bases: Military construction and family housing receive service-by-service appropriations, including Army $2.4 billion and Navy $5.9 billion for construction accounts, plus family housing O&M and improvement funds for repairs and new projects.
- Families, children, and food assistance: Nutrition programs are funded at scale, with SNAP about $118.14 billion and WIC $8.2 billion included, along with child nutrition support and commodity assistance.
*This Act commits tens of billions in discretionary and mandatory spending across defense, veterans, agriculture, and health agencies, including a $52.7 billion non‑lapsing toxic exposures fund.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
38 provisions identified: 23 benefits, 3 costs, 12 mixed.
More SNAP money and milk incentives
SNAP would receive $118.14 billion for fiscal year 2026. Of that, $4 million would support a Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Program. This would fund SNAP benefits and the milk incentives for the year.
More VA funding for care and buildings
If enacted, the VA would get major funding to build and improve clinics and hospitals. It would unlock $900 million to construct and upgrade VA medical facilities. It would direct FY2026 money to key programs, like $1.43 billion for women veterans’ care, $3.5 billion for Caregivers, and $6.36 billion for telehealth. The VA could move funds into joint DoD–VA facilities and use lease proceeds to build or improve VA sites. A $2.03 billion shift would move money to VA medical facilities, with limits on transfers unless Congress approves. The VA would need a 30‑day plan and quarterly reports for the Toxic Exposures Fund. Only VA construction accounts could buy land for new hospitals or homes.
More FSA staff and pest control help
If enacted, the Farm Service Agency would get about $1.21 billion. At least $15 million would hire staff for county offices and farm loan officers through September 30, 2027, and $696.6 million would go to county offices. Separately, $6.5 million would help control Mormon crickets and grasshoppers in Western States, with at least $2 million for on‑the‑ground treatment.
More crackdowns on illegal e-cigarettes
If enacted, FDA would have to use at least $200 million from tobacco fees to enforce rules on e‑cigarettes and similar products. At least $2 million would support a federal task force targeting illegal imports. FDA would send progress reports every six months, starting within 180 days.
More money and staff for food safety
If enacted, FSIS would get $1.226 billion for FY2026 and could add $1 million from lab fees. At least 148 full‑time staff would be dedicated to humane slaughter inspections. Some public health data funds would stay available until spent. Building repairs would be capped at 10% of a building’s replacement value per year.
Monthly spending reports and USDA cuts
If enacted, all agencies funded for FY2026 would report funds and obligations to Congress within 60 days and then monthly. The bill would also cancel some prior‑year, unobligated USDA balances, including $200 million from Food for Peace and other amounts unless marked as emergency funds. This raises transparency while reducing some available program money.
Fertility and adoption help for veterans
VA Medical Services funds could pay for fertility counseling, assisted reproductive tech, and embryo freezing and storage without time limits. Adoption costs could be reimbursed. This would apply to veterans whose service‑connected disability makes it impossible to procreate without treatment.
Keep Veterans Crisis Line strong
The Veterans Crisis Line would have to give immediate help from trained pros and meet top national standards. The VA could not cut its staff, hours, training, or system access. The VA would also study results over five years to track how well the hotline helps veterans.
SNAP store variety rule on hold
The 2016 SNAP ‘variety’ rule would be paused until USDA expands what counts as acceptable items. Until then, older pre‑2014 stocking rules would apply. This could help smaller stores keep accepting SNAP.
Staffing to speed VA claims and care
The VA would keep the staff needed to try to process benefit claims within 125 days. It would aim to schedule health appointments on time. This could reduce wait times for decisions and care.
VA won’t block medical marijuana participation
VA funds could not be used to interfere with a veteran’s State medical marijuana program. VA could not deny services because you participate. VA providers could complete forms and follow State rules.
More rural housing and utility help
If enacted, prison populations would not count when setting Rural Housing Service eligibility and aid levels. At least 10% of many rural loans and grants would go to persistent‑poverty counties. A $2 million pilot would fund technical help to preserve RHS multi‑family housing. $6.5 million would go to rural wastewater projects, with at least $1.5 million for subgrants to eligible homeowners.
More support possible for base-area homeowners
If enacted, money from the DoD Base Closure Account could be moved to the Homeowners Assistance Program. The transferred funds would follow HAP rules and timing. This could help eligible homeowners near base closures if transfers occur.
New support for dairy and bison producers
If enacted, $222.9 million would fund Agricultural Marketing Service work, with Dairy Business Innovation funds split equally across three regions and available until spent. A $2 million program would support bison production and marketing, prioritizing national nonprofits and federally chartered Tribal groups. Another $700,000 would cover slaughter, processing, and voluntary inspection fees for bison owned by Tribal governments, entities, and members at inspected facilities.
VA ends SSN logins; keeps diabetes purchasing
If enacted, VA would stop using Social Security numbers to log people in by September 30, 2026. SSNs could still be used only for legal needs, anti-fraud checks, or when no substitute exists. The bill would also keep the current regional system for buying VA diabetes testing supplies. This protects privacy and keeps how supplies are bought the same for now.
Extra military construction and defense roads
If enacted, the bill would add money for military construction projects on unfunded priority lists, available through September 30, 2030. It would also let DoD advance construction funds to build access roads certified as important to national defense. DoD would need to notify Congress 30 days before exercises with more than $100,000 in related construction costs.
VA would require insurance info for some care
If enacted, VA funds could not pay for certain non‑service‑connected care unless you give current insurance information. If you do not disclose, VA could recover reasonable charges as a debt. This applies to care described in 38 U.S.C. 1729(a)(2).
Limits on Library and Capitol projects
The Library of Congress could not obligate more than $332.285 million in FY2026 for certain reimbursable and revolving activities. The Architect of the Capitol could not pay contractor incentives if work is late or over budget, unless approved exceptions apply. These steps would tighten spending and bonus payments on legislative projects.
Pauses on some FDA food rules
If enacted, FDA could not advance new population‑wide sodium reduction guidance until the 2025–26 NHANES survey is published. FDA also could not issue new Listeria guidance for low‑risk ready‑to‑eat foods until it reviews new science. These pauses would delay rulemaking that affects food makers and public health.
New fees for off-hours meat inspections
If enacted, meat, poultry, and egg plants could be charged for FSIS inspections done outside approved shifts or on federal holidays. These charges would fund inspection overtime or holiday pay. The bill also would block this money from paying for certain horse inspection activities. That could lower oversight for horse processing while raising costs for off‑hours plant inspections.
Guaranteed business loans: new fee, more capacity
If enacted, USDA could charge a one‑time fee up to 3% of the guaranteed principal on Business and Industry guaranteed loans. USDA could also raise program levels for certain loans and guarantees by up to 25% after notifying Congress 15 days before. Borrowers could see higher upfront costs but also a larger pool of available credit.
Tighter rules for defense construction contractors
Cost‑plus‑fixed‑fee construction over $25,000 in the U.S. (except Alaska) would need the Defense Secretary’s written OK. For work in Japan, NATO countries, or Arabian Gulf nations, architect/engineer contracts over $500,000 would go to U.S. firms or U.S.–host‑nation joint ventures. In certain Pacific areas and the Arabian Gulf, military construction over $1 million could not go to foreign contractors unless the U.S. bid is more than 20% higher (with a Marshallese exception at Kwajalein). Agencies could not pay award or incentive fees for poor performance except in narrow cases. Steel buys would have to give American producers a fair chance to compete.
Stricter budget checks at USDA and FDA
USDA’s Office of the Secretary funding would be set at $50.792 million, with no more than $5 million for communications, and a $1 million cut to congressional relations. FDA would have 50% of certain Commissioner Office funds withheld until it submits a certified spending and staffing report; two 25% tranches would be released as required reports are filed. USDA and HHS would need 30‑day notice and approval before large reprogrammings or certain transfers.
Bans on risky IT gear and porn access
Agencies could not use these funds to buy telecom gear from Huawei or ZTE. Federal networks would have to block pornography, with exceptions for law enforcement work. Programs known to violate certain federal compliance laws could not be funded. The VA could not buy certain IT gear in FY2026 from companies on specified federal lists linked to China’s military or forced labor. Cloud services are not restricted by the VA clause.
VA could shift funds and report more
If enacted, VA could move FY2026 money among Compensation and Pensions, Readjustment Benefits, and Veterans Insurance after notifying Congress. VA would have to send quarterly claims and appeals reports within 30 days after each quarter. VA would also have to notify Congress about big construction bid savings before spending them. The Veterans Appeals Court would get $49 million, including $3 million available through September 30, 2027, and $4,256,000 for financial help under prior law.
More tools and caps for military housing
If enacted, the Defense Secretary could move more construction money into military housing improvement funds after notifying Congress. Family housing repairs would have to use operations and maintenance funds, and spending on any general or flag officer home would be capped at $35,000 a year without prior notice. Funds in this title could not buy land, prepare sites, or install utilities for family housing unless money was already provided in annual military construction laws.
New controls on military construction funds
If enacted, FY2026 NDAA military construction money would be immediately available to contract for full project scopes. DoD could obligate construction funds until the end of the fourth fiscal year after they become available. DoD would need to notify Congress before using minor construction money to move activities between bases. New U.S. bases could not start without a specific appropriation. Land buys could not exceed the appraised value, with limited exceptions. DoD could not use these funds to pay foreign real property taxes.
US-made iron and steel for rural water
If enacted, rural water, wastewater, and solid waste projects using USDA funds would need U.S.-made iron and steel. The Agriculture Secretary could waive this if it is not in the public interest, if U.S. products are not available, or if using them would raise total project cost by more than 25%. Waiver requests would be posted for at least 15 days for public input. The Secretary could keep up to 0.25% of program funds for oversight. Projects with state-approved plans before enactment would be exempt.
VA gun-reporting only with a judge
The VA would not report you as prohibited under federal gun laws based only on VA benefit findings. Reporting would require a judge or magistrate to find you are a danger to yourself or others.
Small tribal child nutrition pilot grants
Up to $2 million would fund as many as 10 pilot projects for tribal schools and childcare sites. Each grant would be $10,000 to $100,000 per school year, for up to two years. Projects could run school meals, breakfast, summer food, or child and adult care food programs.
Extra emergency pay for APHIS workers
If enacted, APHIS employees responding to an animal disease or plant health emergency could receive premium pay that is not capped by normal limits. This would apply only when the APHIS Administrator declares the emergency and the pay is funded directly or by reimbursement.
New cereal and hemp research funds
If enacted, $500,000 would expand cereal research to cut mycotoxin risks, and $500,000 would speed industrial hemp fiber research. These funds would remain available until spent. USDA could use agreements with qualified nonprofits for the hemp work.
More funding for Capitol security
If enacted, the bill would provide $25 million for Capitol Police mutual aid reimbursements, $1 million for general expenses, and $18.5 million for Senate security. Up to $10 million could be moved on September 30, 2026 into mutual aid funds and stay available until September 30, 2030. Spending would require committee notifications.
No congressional pay raise in 2026
Members of Congress would not get an automatic cost‑of‑living pay raise in fiscal year 2026. This would keep their pay level flat for the year.
No funds to close Guantanamo Bay
This bill would bar using these funds to close or realign the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay. Base operations would stay as they are under this funding.
More funds for U.S. war memorials
If enacted, the American Battle Monuments Commission would receive $108.3 million for salaries and expenses, available until spent. It also would get needed funds to cover foreign currency shifts. This would help maintain overseas memorials and visitor services.
Stricter rules for Hawaii coffee labels
If enacted, coffee labeled with a Hawaii region name, like “Kona Coffee,” would have to be at least 51% grown in that region. This would change labeling and sourcing for some roasters and packers and give buyers clearer information.
Cut plastic waste in federal cafeterias
If enacted, agencies that buy food services would work with providers and disability groups to cut plastic waste. They would look at biodegradable options and try to increase recycling and composting. This mostly changes how agencies and contractors operate.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carter, John R. [R-TX-31]
TX • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 9/11/2025
On Motion to Instruct Conferees
Yes: 211 • No: 213
senate vote • 8/1/2025
On Passage of the Bill H.R. 3944
Yes: 87 • No: 9
senate vote • 7/23/2025
On the Motion to Proceed H.R. 3944
Yes: 90 • No: 8
senate vote • 7/22/2025
On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed H.R. 3944
Yes: 91 • No: 7
house vote • 6/25/2025
On Passage
Yes: 218 • No: 206
house vote • 6/25/2025
On Motion to Recommit
Yes: 208 • No: 216