WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05) voted in favor of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $152.091 billion, which is nearly $5 billion (3%) above the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level.
"It is important that Congress supports our service members and veterans," said Rep. Crank. "The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act will ensure that veterans' health care, benefits, and VA programs are fully funded, and that we continue our efforts to combat veteran homelessness. This bill also protects the 2nd Amendment rights of our veterans, supports our military's readiness at home and at the southern border, and deters Chinese aggression in the Pacific."
Background:
The bill would:
- Fully fund veterans’ health care programs.
- Fully fund veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
- Support President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.
- Maintain funding levels for research, mental health programs and other programs relied upon by veterans.
- Protect the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans, preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.
- Sync up with President Trump’s Executive Orders on no funds for DEI, gender affirming care, and protecting Hyde-like language at the VA.
- Prohibit the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.
- Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:
- Provide robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region and infrastructure necessary to support United States advanced weapons systems.
- Maintain the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.
- Prohibit the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People’s Republic of China.