H.R. 3944 — Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026

This section prohibits the use of funds provided in this title for payments under cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contracts for construction estimated to exceed $25,000 within the United States, excluding Alaska, unless approved in writing by the Secretary of Defense with stated reasons.

This section authorizes funds made available in this title for construction to be advanced to the Federal Highway Administration for defense access roads under 23 U.S.C. 210, when certified as important to the national defense by the Secretary of Defense. Defense access roads provide construction, maintenance, reconstruction, or improvements to roads (including bridges and tunnels) connecting to military reservations, defense industry sites, deployment or sustainment ports for the Armed Forces, or raw material sources.

This section prohibits the use of funds provided in this title for purchasing land or land easements in excess of 100% of the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, except in four cases: (1) where value is determined by a federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by the Attorney General or designee; (3) where estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public interest.

This section prohibits the use of funds provided in this title to (1) acquire land, (2) provide for site preparation, or (3) install utilities for any family housing, except housing for which funds have been provided in annual Acts making appropriations for military construction.

This section prohibits the use of minor construction funds provided in this title to transfer or relocate any activity from one base or installation to another without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

This section prohibits the use of funds provided in this title for procuring steel for any construction project or activity where American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers were denied the opportunity to compete for such procurement.

This section prohibits the obligation of funds appropriated in this title for architect and engineer contracts estimated by the government to exceed $500,000 for projects in Japan, any North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member country, or countries bordering the Arabian Gulf unless such contracts are awarded to U.S. firms or U.S. firms in joint venture with host nation firms.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated in this title for military construction in U.S. territories and possessions in the Pacific, on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf to award contracts estimated by the government to exceed $1 million to foreign contractors. The prohibition does not apply (1) if the lowest responsive and responsible bid by a U.S. contractor exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid by a foreign contractor by more than 20 percent or (2) to military construction on Kwajalein Atoll if the lowest responsive and responsible bid is submitted by a Marshallese contractor.

This section directs the Secretary of Defense to notify the appropriate committees of Congress, including the Committees on Appropriations, of the plans and scope of any proposed military exercise involving U.S. personnel at least 30 days prior to its occurrence if anticipated construction costs, either temporary or permanent, exceed $100,000.

This section makes funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for construction in prior years available for construction authorized for each military department by authorizations enacted into law during the current session of Congress.

This section authorizes the use of expired or lapsed funds to pay supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering, and design costs—including subsequent claims—for military construction or family housing projects being completed with such funds.

This section authorizes the obligation of funds appropriated for military construction projects by a military department or defense agency for such a project or contract—or any portion thereof—at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after the fiscal year for which the funds were made available (i.e., a five-year availability period), notwithstanding any other provision of law, if (1) the funds are from amounts available for military construction projects; and (2) the amount obligated does not exceed the amount appropriated for the project, plus any amount by which the project cost is increased pursuant to law.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Defense, subject to 30 days prior notification to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress (or 14 days for electronic notification under 10 U.S.C. §§480, 2883), to transfer additional amounts to (1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from appropriations for construction in Family Housing accounts or (2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund from appropriations for construction of military unaccompanied housing in Military Construction accounts. Transferred amounts merge with and are available for the same purposes and period as direct appropriations to the funds, including costs (as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of direct loans or loan guarantees under 10 U.S.C. subchapter IV of chapter 169 for alternative acquisition and improvement of military family housing, unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.

This section authorizes transfers from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account to the fund for the Homeowners Assistance Program—under which the Secretary of Defense may acquire or reimburse losses on homes owned by certain affected DoD civilian employees and military members near bases ordered closed—for expenses incurred under that program's general authority (42 U.S.C. 3374(a)(1)(A)). Transferred amounts merge with the recipient fund and are available for the same purposes and time period.

This section designates funds appropriated in this title for operation and maintenance of family housing as the exclusive source for repair and maintenance of all family housing units, including general or flag officer quarters. It limits annual spending on maintenance and repair of any such quarters to $20,000 per unit without prior notification to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress (30 days prior, or 14 days if provided electronically pursuant to 10 U.S.C. §§ 480 and 2883), with after-the-fact notification permitted if exceeded solely due to unanticipated environmental remediation costs. It further requires the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) to report annually to those committees on all operation and maintenance expenditures for each individual general or flag officer quarters for the prior fiscal year.

This section appropriates amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement Account established under 10 U.S.C. 2814(h) and makes such amounts available until expended for the purposes specified in 10 U.S.C. 2814(i)(1) or until transferred pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2814(i)(3). (As background, 10 U.S.C. 2814 authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to convey or lease excess or unneeded real and personal property on Ford Island, Hawaii—located within Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam—to promote development compatible with the Navy's mission, with proceeds deposited into the account to fund related infrastructure improvements and support services.)

This section authorizes the transfer of unobligated balances from appropriations available in this Act to the Department of Defense for military construction and family housing operation, maintenance, and construction—during the five-year period after such appropriations expire for obligation and upon a determination that the balances will not be needed for liquidating obligations or authorized adjustments—into the “Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense” appropriation, to be merged and available for the same time period and purposes as that appropriation. (As background, the Foreign Currency Fluctuations account covers exchange-rate variations affecting costs of military construction projects funded in foreign currencies.)

This section authorizes transfers of amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in accounts funded under headings in this title among projects and activities within the account, in accordance with reprogramming guidelines for military construction and family housing construction in Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation 7000.14–R, Volume 3, Chapter 7 (April 2021 edition, as in effect on enactment).

This section provides $500 million in additional funding for military construction accounts, to remain available until September 30, 2030, allocated as follows: $100 million each for Military Construction, Army; Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps; and Military Construction, Air Force; $80 million for Military Construction, Air National Guard; and $40 million each for Military Construction, Army National Guard; Military Construction, Army Reserve; and Military Construction, Air Force Reserve. Funds may only be obligated for construction and cost-to-complete projects identified in the respective military department's unfunded priority list for FY2025 or FY2026 submitted to Congress, subject to authorization prior to obligation and expenditure; not later than 60 days after enactment, the Secretary of the military department concerned shall submit an expenditure plan to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress.

This section makes all FY2026 appropriations to the Department of Defense military construction accounts for Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Defense-Wide—pursuant to authorizations in the relevant National Defense Authorization Act funding table (section 4601)—immediately available and allotted to contract for the full scope of authorized projects.

This section authorizes the obligation before October 1, 2027, of funds made available by this Act or available unobligated balances from prior appropriations acts for FY2017, FY2018, FY2019, and FY2020 military construction projects whose authorization has not lapsed or is extended for FY2026 by a National Defense Authorization Act, notwithstanding section 116 of this Act. The section prohibits obligating any such funds that Congress designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

This section defines the term "congressional defense committees," for purposes of this Act, to mean the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittees of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

This section provides $35 million each to the Military Construction accounts for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for planning, design, and construction improvements to Department of Defense laboratory facilities, to remain available until September 30, 2030. It requires the Secretary of each military department (or designee) to submit an expenditure plan to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress within 60 days after enactment and prohibits obligation or expenditure of the funds prior to committee approval of the plan.

This section provides an additional $25 million each to the Military Construction accounts for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for planning and design of child development centers (i.e., childcare facilities for service members' families), to remain available through September 30, 2030. It further directs the Secretary of the relevant military department, or designee, to submit an expenditure plan for these funds to the congressional Appropriations Committees within 60 days of enactment.

This section provides $25 million each to the Military Construction accounts for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for planning and design of barracks, to remain available until September 30, 2030. It further requires the Secretary of the relevant military department, or designee, to submit an expenditure plan for these funds to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 60 days of enactment.

This section provides $25 million each for unspecified minor construction for demolition in the Military Construction accounts for (1) Army, (2) Navy and Marine Corps, and (3) Air Force, to remain available until September 30, 2029. It requires the Secretary of each military department (or designee) to submit an expenditure plan to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees within 60 days of enactment and prohibits obligation or expenditure of funds prior to committee approval of the plan.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer, as necessary, FY2026 appropriations among the Compensation and Pensions, Readjustment Benefits, and Veterans Insurance and Indemnities accounts, subject to a request for approval from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations (deemed approved if 30 days elapse without response).

This section authorizes transfers among Department of Veterans Affairs accounts for “Medical Services,” “Medical Community Care,” “Medical Support and Compliance,” and “Medical Facilities” using amounts appropriated for FY2026 in this or any other Act, subject to the following conditions: (1) transfers of 1% or less among the “Medical Services,” “Medical Community Care,” and “Medical Support and Compliance” accounts may occur subject to notification to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress of the amount and purpose; (2) transfers exceeding 1% or the cumulative 1% for the fiscal year among those three accounts, or any transfers to or from the “Medical Facilities” account, may occur only after a request from and approval by those Committees.

This section authorizes appropriations available in this title for salaries and expenses to be used for (1) services under 5 U.S.C. 3109 (i.e., temporary—not in excess of one year—or intermittent expert or consultant services procured without regard to civil service appointment, classification, and pay rules); (2) hire of passenger motor vehicles; (3) lease of a facility or land or both; and (4) uniforms or allowances therefor under 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902.

This section prohibits the use of appropriations in this title (except for Construction, Major Projects and Construction, Minor Projects) for the purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home.

This section prohibits the use of appropriations in this title for hospitalization or medical examination of any persons—except veterans entitled to such benefits under veterans laws, persons treated under federal employee health services authorities (5 U.S.C. §§7901-7904), or those under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. §5121 et seq.)—unless the cost is reimbursed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Services account at rates fixed by the VA Secretary.

This section makes appropriations available in this title for Compensation and Pensions, Readjustment Benefits, and Veterans Insurance and Indemnities available for payment of prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 2025.

This section makes appropriations available in this title to pay prior year obligations of corresponding prior year appropriations accounts resulting from 31 U.S.C. §§ 3328(a) (interest on late payments), 3334 (recovery of overpayments), and 3712(a) (administrative offsets for debts), except that obligations from trust fund accounts are payable only from the "Compensation and Pensions" account.

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, during FY2026, to reimburse from surplus earnings accumulated in FY2025 the "General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration" and "Information Technology Systems" accounts for administrative costs properly allocable to the National Service Life Insurance (NSLI), Veterans' Special Life Insurance (VSLI), and United States Government Life Insurance (USGLI) programs (previously authorized only for NSLI administrative costs reimbursable to the "General operating expenses" account in FY1996). Reimbursement for each program is limited to available surplus earnings after claims payments and actuarially determined reserves (with no reimbursement if costs exceed surplus).

This section provides that amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds to reimburse an account for prior fiscal year expenses incurred in providing enhanced-use lease services shall be available until expended.

This section makes funds available in this title or for salaries and other administrative expenses available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management, the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution function within the Office of Human Resources and Administration for services provided at rates recovering actual costs, not to exceed $134,343,000, $7,607,000, and $7,686,000, respectively. Payments may be made in advance based on estimated costs, with amounts received credited to the General Administration and Information Technology Systems accounts for use by the office that provided the service.

This section prohibits Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funds from being used for hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services under 38 U.S.C. ch. 17 for non-service-connected disabilities subject to third-party reimbursement under 38 U.S.C. 1729(a)(2) (i.e., care provided to veterans with health-plan contracts covering such treatment), unless the recipient discloses current, accurate third-party reimbursement information to the VA Secretary. The section further authorizes the Secretary to recover reasonable charges from non-disclosing persons as debts due the United States and permits the obligation of such recoveries—in the fiscal year received—for care provided in prior fiscal years.

This section authorizes the deposit of proceeds or revenues from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) enhanced-use leasing activities (including disposal) into the VA's “Construction, Major Projects” and “Construction, Minor Projects” accounts for construction (including site acquisition and disposition), alterations, and improvements of VA medical facilities. Such deposits are in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for those accounts.

This section authorizes amounts made available under Medical Services for (1) furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and equipment and (2) funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries receiving care in the Department.

This section authorizes the transfer of amounts deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund (MCCF)—which receives recoveries and collections (e.g., from third-party insurers and copayments) related to VA-furnished medical care under specified authorities—to the Medical Services and Medical Community Care accounts, with transferred amounts to remain available until expended for the purposes of those accounts. (As background, the Medical Services account funds VA-operated health care facilities and services, while the Medical Community Care account funds VA-contracted care from non-VA providers.)

This section authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers in Alaska and Indian tribes and tribal organizations that are parties to the Alaska Native Health Compact with the Indian Health Service to provide healthcare—including behavioral health and dental care—to veterans in rural Alaska (i.e., lands outside the municipality of Anchorage or the Fairbanks North Star Borough). The Secretary must require participating veterans and facilities to comply with applicable VA rules and regulations.

This section authorizes transfers of sums deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund—established under 38 U.S.C. §8118 to receive proceeds from VA real property transfers (including to grant and per diem providers) for associated costs such as demolition, remediation, and repairs—to the Construction, Major Projects and Construction, Minor Projects accounts. Funds transferred remain available until expended for the purposes of those accounts.

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the congressional Appropriations Committees, not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a report on the financial status of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the preceding quarter. At a minimum, the report must include the information specified in the "Quarterly reporting" paragraph under the "General Administration" heading in the joint explanatory statement accompanying P.L. 114-223.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer FY2026 amounts made available under the Medical Services, Medical Community Care, Medical Support and Compliance, Medical Facilities, General Operating Expenses–Veterans Benefits Administration, Board of Veterans Appeals, General Administration, and National Cemetery Administration accounts to or from the Information Technology Systems account. Such transfers may not increase the total amount for the Information Technology Systems account by more than 10% in the aggregate and require prior approval from the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress.

This section authorizes the transfer of up to $654,954,000, plus reimbursements, from specified Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fiscal year 2026 accounts—including Medical Services, Medical Community Care, Medical Support and Compliance, Medical Facilities, Construction, Minor Projects, and Information Technology Systems—to the Joint Department of Defense–Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund for operation of designated combined federal medical facilities (i.e., integrated DOD-VA healthcare sites such as the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois). It further permits additional transfers from those accounts upon written notification by the VA Secretary to the congressional Appropriations Committees and repeals the prior-year transfer authority (sec. 220, title II, div. A, P.L. 118-42, as continued by div. A, P.L. 119-4).

This section authorizes the transfer of up to $739,918,000, plus reimbursements, from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accounts for Medical Services, Medical Community Care, Medical Support and Compliance, and Medical Facilities—available October 1, 2026—to the Joint Department of Defense–Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund for operation of combined federal medical facilities (e.g., the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois). Additional amounts may be transferred from such accounts upon written notification by the VA Secretary to the congressional appropriations committees.

This section makes available for additional purposes sums deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund (MCCF) for health care provided at facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities (i.e., joint Department of Defense–Department of Veterans Affairs facilities under section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, P.L. 110-417). Such sums may be used (1) for transfer to the Joint Department of Defense–Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established under section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (P.L. 111-84), and (2) for operations of the combined Federal medical facilities. This section further provides that amounts transferred to the demonstration fund remain available until expended, notwithstanding section 1704(b)(3) of P.L. 111-84. (As background, the MCCF receives third-party payments, such as from health insurers, for VA-furnished medical care and makes such amounts available without fiscal year limitation for VA medical care and related collection expenses.)

This section requires the transfer of a minimum of $15 million from amounts available for Veterans Affairs “Medical Services,” “Medical Community Care,” “Medical Support and Compliance,” and “Medical Facilities” accounts to the DOD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund established under 38 U.S.C. 8111(d), to remain available until expended for purposes authorized by 38 U.S.C. 8111. (As background, the fund supports a joint VA-DoD program to incentivize, implement, and evaluate creative sharing initiatives for health care resources—such as facilities and services—to improve access, quality, and cost-effectiveness for veterans and military beneficiaries.)

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 14 days after a contract identifies bid savings in a major construction project totaling at least $5 million or 5% of the project's programmed amount (whichever is less). The section further requires the Secretary to notify those committees at least 14 days prior to obligating such savings, including a description of the anticipated use.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated for Department of Veterans Affairs “Construction, Major Projects” on any project exceeding the scope specified in the original justification data submitted to Congress unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs obtains prior approval from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the congressional Appropriations Committees, not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a report on performance measures and data from each Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) regional office. At a minimum, the report must include the directions in the “Disability claims backlog” section under “General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration” in the joint explanatory statement accompanying P.L. 114-223 (i.e., a 2016 continuing resolution) and the number of appeals pending quarterly at the VBA and Board of Veterans' Appeals.

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide written notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 15 days prior to organizational changes that result in the transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalents from one organizational unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs to another.

This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide quarterly notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of any single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign with obligations exceeding $1,000,000.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer to the Medical Services account of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)—which funds direct healthcare delivery to veterans—any discretionary appropriations made available for FY2026 in this title (except those for the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account) or any discretionary unobligated balances within the Department of Veterans Affairs, including FY2026 balances provided in advance by appropriations acts. Transfers require (1) a determination of necessity to address VHA needs; (2) approval by the Office of Management and Budget; (3) prior request for and approval of authority from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations; (4) use only for higher-priority emergent healthcare items not previously denied by Congress; and (5) exclusion of amounts designated as emergency requirements; and such authority supplements any other transfer authorities provided by law, with funds transferable back to their origin if no longer needed.

This section authorizes transfers of funds between the Department of Veterans Affairs' Board of Veterans' Appeals account and General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account for FY2026, subject to prior approval by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

This section prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from reprogramming funds among major construction projects or programs if the amount exceeds $7 million, unless approved by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the department's toll-free suicide hotline provides immediate assistance from trained professionals and adheres to all American Association of Suicidology requirements. It prohibits use of funds appropriated by this Act to enforce or implement any executive action restricting civil service hiring for positions related to the hotline. It also directs the Secretary to conduct a study on the hotline's effectiveness during the five-year period beginning January 1, 2016, analyzing national suicide data and hotline data to determine, at a minimum, (1) the number of veterans contacting the hotline who receive follow-up services or VA mental health care thereafter; (2) the number of contacting veterans not referred to or continuing mental health care who commit suicide; and (3) the number receiving follow-up who commit or attempt suicide.

This section prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in contravention of the Veterans Health Administration's May 10, 2017, guidance on breast cancer screening (i.e., specifying mammogram protocols for eligible women veterans), effective from October 1, 2018, through January 1, 2026.

This section authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to use funds appropriated for the Medical Services account— notwithstanding any other provision of law—to provide (1) fertility counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technology to a covered veteran or the covered veteran's spouse, or (2) adoption reimbursement to a covered veteran for adoptions finalized after enactment. A covered veteran is a veteran with a service-connected disability that results in the inability to procreate without fertility treatment. Assisted reproductive technology has the meaning provided for active duty service members who incur a serious injury or illness under specified Department of Defense policy (with unlimited duration for embryo cryopreservation and storage), and adoption reimbursement follows Department of Defense Instruction 1341.09 (including its limits and requirements). Such uses of funds are subject to requirements in sec. 508 of div. H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141).

This section prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from using any funds appropriated by this Act or any other Act in a manner inconsistent with (1) restrictions on abortions using VA funds, which are permitted only when the life of the mother is endangered or in cases of rape or incest (per sec. 842 of P.L. 109-115); or (2) prohibitions on closing VA hospitals or domiciliary facilities without congressional approval (per 38 U.S.C. §8110(a)(5)).

This section exempts the conversion of an activity or function of the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, or National Cemetery Administration to contractor performance by a business concern that is at least 51% owned by one or more Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations from Section 842 of P.L. 109-115. (As background, Section 842 of P.L. 109-115 restricts such conversions by the Department of Veterans Affairs.)

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Labor, to discontinue using Social Security numbers (SSNs) to authenticate individuals in all VA information systems by September 30, 2026. It permits VA to collect and use SSNs for identification purposes in those systems, consistent with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. §552a), only if necessary to (1) obtain or provide information from non-VA systems, (2) comply with a law, regulation, or court order, (3) perform anti-fraud activities, or (4) identify a specific individual when no adequate substitute is available. This section supersedes section 237 of division J of Public Law 117-328.

This section prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from using appropriated or otherwise available funds to transfer any amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund (FVECF) to any other VA account. (The FVECF provides one-time payments of up to $15,000 (living veterans) or $9,000 (deceased veterans' survivors) to eligible Philippine veterans who served alongside U.S. forces in World War II on behalf of the United States.)

This section authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to use funds appropriated for Medical Services in FY2026 and FY2027 to carry out and expand the child care program for veterans and caregivers at VA medical facilities, as authorized by section 205 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-163), notwithstanding subsection (e) of that section. (Thus, the program—which subsidizes child care for certain veterans receiving health care and their caregivers—may expand using Medical Services funds previously unavailable for this purpose.)

This section prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from using appropriated funds to enter into any agreement resolving a dispute or claim with an individual that restricts the individual from communicating with Members of Congress or their staff on any topic not prohibited from disclosure by federal law or required by executive order to be kept secret for national defense or foreign affairs interests.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to deny Inspectors General funded under the Act timely access to records, documents, or other materials of covered departments or agencies—except as expressly limited by a law specifically referencing that Inspector General—and requires those departments or agencies to provide such access. It further requires each such Inspector General to comply with applicable disclosure limitations and to report any noncompliance to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees within five calendar days.

This section prohibits the Veterans Health Administration from using FY2026 funds appropriated by this Act to convert any program that received specific-purpose funding in FY2025 to general-purpose funding unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides written notification to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days prior to the proposed action and receives their approval.

This section prohibits the use of appropriated funds for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research using canines, felines, or non-human primates commencing on or after July 1, 2025, unless specifically approved in writing by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Secretary may approve such research only if it meets four criteria: (1) scientific objectives can be met solely using these animals and not alternatives (e.g., other animal models, in vitro models, computational models, or human clinical studies); (2) objectives advance research benefiting veterans and directly relate to combat-related illnesses or injuries as defined by 10 U.S.C. 1413(e); (3) research complies with the VA's revised canine research policy (dated December 15, 2017, or subsequent versions); and (4) ethical considerations minimize animal harm; such approval authority is non-delegable. If approved, the Secretary must report to congressional Appropriations Committees at least 30 days prior to commencement, detailing the research nature, approval date, USDA pain category, justifications, duration, and welfare protocols; submit biannual reports through 2025 and thereafter on ongoing research, justifications, protocols, and alternatives developed; undergo annual voluntary USDA inspections of relevant facilities starting December 31, 2025; and submit annual reports on animal welfare violations, corrections, and prevention measures. The VA must also implement a plan to eliminate all such research by September 20, 2026.

This section authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in this title to ensure that the ratio of veterans to full-time employment equivalents in any program of rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, U.S. Code (i.e., Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment programs for veterans with service-connected disabilities), does not exceed 125 veterans to one full-time employment equivalent. The section also directs the Secretary to submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a report assessing veteran-to-staff ratios for each such program and providing recommendations to reduce those ratios.

This section authorizes amounts appropriated to the Veterans Health Administration, Medical Community Care account for FY2025 and FY2026 to be used for community care expenses (i.e., payments to non-VA providers under the VA MISSION Act of 2018) that would otherwise be payable from the Veterans Choice Fund. (Thus, the provision enables funding flexibility amid the Choice Fund's scheduled depletion after FY2024.)

This section transfers obligations and expenditures for aid to State homes under 38 U.S.C. 1741—from the Medical Services account to the Medical Community Care account—for fiscal years 2017 through 2019. (Aid to State homes consists of per diem payments to states for domiciliary care ($8.70 per day), nursing home and hospital care ($20.35 per day), and certain extended care services provided to eligible veterans in State homes.)

This section allocates $1,323,444,000 of FY2024 funding for Veterans Health Administration accounts—including Medical Services, Medical Community Care, Medical Support and Compliance, and Medical Facilities—to gender-specific care and programmatic efforts to deliver care for women veterans.

This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to commence construction of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Bakersfield, California—authorized by section 1(a)(3) of P.L. 111-82—by no later than September 30, 2026, notwithstanding any other law unless prevented by a federal or state court order, and in accordance with Lease No. 36C10F20L0008 or a successor lease.

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a report on the status of the Veterans Medical Care and Health Fund established under section 8002 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2). The report must include, at a minimum, updates on obligations by program, project, or activity and a plan for expending remaining funds.

This section provides that amounts transferred to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019, administered by a corporation under 38 U.S.C. §7364(b) (i.e., a nonprofit corporation authorized to support VA healthcare initiatives) for Economy Act orders (31 U.S.C. §1535) placed with the Department of Veterans Affairs, remain available for liquidation of valid obligations incurred by such corporation during the period of performance, as determined by the Secretary. (Thus, these funds are not subject to deobligation under 31 U.S.C. §1535(d) if the filling agency incurred related obligations.)

This section permits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to obligate unobligated balances available under the "Construction, Major Projects" and "Construction, Minor Projects" headings for a facility pursuant to section 2(e)(1) of the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note), as amended—(i.e., to provide additional funds or fund an escalation clause under such authority, which facilitates VA leases of department-controlled property to eligible entities for development into veteran health care or supportive housing facilities, followed by VA leaseback of the completed facility). Before obligating such balances, the Secretary must request authority from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, which may approve or be deemed approved after 30 days without response; the request must notify Congress that the entity under section 2(a)(2) of the Act has exhausted cost containment approaches specified in the agreement under section 2(c).

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to implement, administer, or carry out the Department of Veterans Affairs interim final rule published on September 9, 2022 (i.e., expanding VA provision of abortions and abortion-related services in cases other than rape, incest, or life-threatening situations), or any successor or substantially similar rule or policy. It further prohibits such funds from being expended for any abortion—including through any medical benefits package or health benefits program that includes abortion coverage—except (1) if the pregnancy results from rape or incest or (2) a physician certifies that the woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed.

This section prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from using funds appropriated by this Act to administer, implement, or enforce the final rule changing rates VA pays for special modes of transportation (88 Fed. Reg. 10032 (Feb. 16, 2023)) during FY2026 (October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026). (As background, the program reimburses veterans with service-connected mobility impairments for non-ambulance transportation to VA medical care when they cannot use public or private vehicles; thus, prior reimbursement rates remain in effect for that period.)

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to provide any services to individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are not eligible for health care under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

This section prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from using appropriated funds under 38 U.S.C. § 5502 to report any beneficiary deemed mentally incapacitated, mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as adjudicated a mental defective under 18 U.S.C. § 922(d)(4) or (g)(4), unless a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction finds the person a danger to self or others. (As background, VA fiduciary determinations of mental incompetency have qualified as such adjudications, prohibiting affected individuals from possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or ammunition.)

This section permanently rescinds $15,889,000,000 in unobligated balances from prior appropriations acts for the Veterans Health Administration, including amounts transferred from the Medical Care Collections Fund. No amounts may be rescinded from funds provided under the heading “Medical and Prosthetic Research” or designated by Congress as an emergency requirement under a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit a plan for the rescissions to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 30 days of enactment.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act for any program, project, or activity not in compliance with federal laws relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates, once such noncompliance is known to the relevant federal entity or official.

This section encourages all departments and agencies funded under this Act to expand their use of E-Commerce technologies and procedures in business practices and public service activities, within existing statutory authorities and funding.

This section designates the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations as the recipients of all reports and notifications required by this Act, unless stated otherwise.

This section prohibits the transfer of funds provided by this Act to any other department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. government except as authorized by a transfer provision or transfer authority in this Act or any other appropriations Act.

This section prohibits the use of funds provided by this Act for any project or program named for an individual serving as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the U.S. House of Representatives.

This section requires any agency receiving funds under this Act to post on its public website any report required to be submitted to Congress by this or any other Act, if the agency head determines that such posting serves the national interest. The requirement does not apply to reports that would compromise national security or contain confidential or proprietary information. Agencies must provide such reports to the requesting congressional committees or committees for at least 30 days before posting.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to maintain or establish a computer network unless the network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography. An exception applies for funds necessary for federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement agencies, or other entities carrying out criminal investigations, prosecutions, or adjudications.

This section prohibits executive branch agencies from using funds provided by this Act to pay for first-class travel by agency employees in violation of federal travel regulations at 41 CFR 301-10.122 through 301-10.124.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to execute contracts for goods or services, including construction services, with contractors that have not complied with E.O. 12989 (i.e., requirements to use E-Verify for employment eligibility verification and to comply with federal immigration and nationality laws).

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense by this Act to construct, renovate, or expand any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual detained at United States Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, as of June 24, 2009, who (1) is not a U.S. citizen or member of the U.S. Armed Forces and (2) is in the custody or under the effective control of the Department of Defense or otherwise under detention at Guantánamo Bay. The prohibition does not apply to any modification of facilities at United States Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional action on any legislation or appropriation pending before Congress, other than for communications to Members of Congress as permitted under 18 U.S.C. 1913 (the general anti-lobbying statute).

This section provides $1,500,000, to remain available until expended, to the Office of the Secretary for an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study cancer prevalence and mortality among active-duty aircrew in the Armed Forces. The study must identify occupational exposures (e.g., chemicals, compounds, agents) and review literature on associations with brain, colon and rectal, kidney, lung, melanoma skin, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pancreatic, prostate, testicular, thyroid, urinary bladder, and other cancers as determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs; the National Academies must submit a report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Congress within 18 months of enactment.

This section appropriates $1,500,000, to remain available until expended, for a pilot program under which the Secretary partners with a private laboratory to use forensic genetic genealogy sequencing technology to identify remains of fallen soldiers buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

This section prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from using FY2026 appropriated funds to procure or purchase covered information technology equipment—defined as computers, printers, or interoperable videoconferencing equipment for direct use by VA employees in office environments (excluding services such as cloud services)—if the manufacturer, bidder, offeror, or any subsidiary or parent entity is listed on (1) the Department of Defense's Chinese Military Company List, (2) the Department of the Treasury's Non-SDN Chinese Military Industrial Complex Companies List, (3) the Department of Commerce's Denied Persons List, Entity List, or Military End User List (if the entity is a People's Republic of China agency or instrumentality, headquartered in China, or owned or controlled by such an entity), or (4) the Department of Homeland Security's Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. The prohibition applies to direct procurements and contracts with non-Department entities.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to (1) classify or facilitate the classification of any communications by a United States person as mis-, dis-, or mal-information; or (2) partner with or fund nonprofit or other private organizations that instruct, influence, direct, or recommend that private companies censor, prohibit, or obstruct lawful and constitutionally protected speech of United States persons, including recommending the censoring or removal of content on social media platforms.

This section requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the Veterans Health Administration's smoke-free policy for employees at VA health care facilities (VHA Directive 1085.01, published August 8, 2019) remains in effect.

This section prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act to reduce the staffing, hours of operation, or services of the Veterans Crisis Line or any other Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention program.

This section prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from using appropriated funds to enforce specified provisions of Veterans Health Directive 1315 that restrict Veterans Health Administration (VHA) providers and staff with respect to state-approved marijuana programs, specifically: (1) the prohibition on completing forms or registering veterans for participation; (2) the directive requiring the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management to ensure medical facility directors are aware of the policy allowing assessment of veteran marijuana use but prohibiting recommendations, referrals, or paperwork completion for such programs; and (3) the directive requiring VA medical facility directors to ensure staff awareness of the prohibition on recommending, referring to, completing forms for, or registering veterans for such programs. (Thus, VA providers may assist veterans in participating in state-approved marijuana programs.)