OAN Staff Lillian Mann
1:28 PM – Friday, May 15, 2026
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved its first spending package for fiscal year (FY) 2027, overwhelmingly passing the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill on Friday in a 400–15 vote.
The bipartisan legislation, which now heads to the Senate for consideration, allocates funding to fully support veterans’ health care services and modernize critical military infrastructure, including housing and base facilities.
Since the measure drew vast bipartisan consensus, the small group of fifteen lawmakers voting against the bill consisted entirely of Democrats, with many pointing to concerns over “remaining policy riders and the lack of clarity” regarding funding allocations for future agency budgets.
The measure is set to invest more than $2 billion in the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) as well as $900 million for medical and prosthetic research, according to the press statement released on Friday.
“This legislation is a testament to America’s commitment to taking care of the men and women who have bravely worn the uniform,” John Carter (R-Texas) stated on Thursday.
“This bill honors those who have sacrificed for our country and reaffirms our commitment to the well-being of both service members and veterans. It supports our troops, cares for veterans and their families, and upholds the promises we have made to those who put our nation first,” Carter added.
Representative Tom Cole (R-Okla.) also commended the measure in a statement saying, “As the first bill to move out of full committee this year, it sets a strong foundation for the FY27 work ahead.”
The appropriations bill would specifically fund veterans’ health care programs, benefits, mental health programs and infrastructure for medical facilities and several national cemeteries.
Several House Democrats, however, argued that the bill’s funding provisions included harmful policy riders, promoted further privatization of the veterans’ healthcare system and provided insufficient support for military infrastructure projects.
“Though far from perfect, given the inadequate allocations, it still woefully underfunds military construction, fails our NATO allies, and pushes dangerous, divisive riders… However, this bill stands better today than when we started, and I’m hopeful we’ll improve upon its progress,” Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fl.) stated.
“This bill undermines VA’s ability to keep at-risk veterans safe by preventing VA from reporting a beneficiary to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System… This bill is, in effect, prohibiting VA from following the law that is intended to protect veterans from doing harm to others or themselves. Veterans make up about one in five adult firearm suicides… It is tragic and unacceptable that this bill undermines this effective tool,” he added.
The legislation explicitly details the bill’s core aims to protect the comprehensive rights of veterans by fully funding the Community Care account, which empowers former servicemembers to seek specialized healthcare outside the traditional VA network.
It also heavily fortifies ongoing Trump administration initiatives to combat veteran suicide and enhance mental health services by maintaining robust, dedicated funding for targeted psychological support and intervention programs.
“The bill reflects priorities of the America First agenda by including critical investments in military infrastructure that support readiness and the military families that utilize them,” the statement read.
“It fully funds veterans’ health care, mental health services, and community care programs to ensure our veterans have the resources they need to thrive. The bill also strengthens quality of life for military families by investing in housing, childcare, and critical infrastructure projects,” Carter emphasized.
Tom Cole (R-Okla.) highlighted that the measure focuses on the groundwork of “people willing to serve something greater than themselves,” adding that the bill funds “veteran care and benefits, prioritizing mental health and suicide prevention programs, and directing facility modernization.”
This successful floor vote marks only the first step for House Republicans, who face a demanding legislative calendar that requires them to pass all 12 annual appropriations bills before the end-of-September deadline.
Beyond government funding, GOP leadership is simultaneously aiming to navigate two complex reconciliation packages, finalize comprehensive housing legislation, and renew the government’s foreign intelligence surveillance capabilities.
Despite the ease with which this initial veterans’ affairs and military infrastructure bill cleared the chamber, The Hill noted that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is poised to encounter far steeper resistance and internal friction ahead.
As the House shifts focus to the spending bills for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Johnson will have to manage deep policy divisions.
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