Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 3944
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Economics and Public Finance
Status: Resolving Differences
Latest Action: 2025-09-18: Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T00:08:25Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 3944: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026 (Senate Engrossed Amendment)

This legislation is an appropriations bill providing funding for fiscal year 2026 (ending September 30, 2026) across three divisions. It allocates billions in discretionary spending for military infrastructure, veterans' services, agricultural programs, rural development, food safety, and legislative operations. The bill references accompanying Senate reports (e.g., 119-43 for Division A) for detailed project allocations and implementation guidance. Funding is drawn from the Treasury's general fund unless otherwise specified, with many amounts available beyond FY 2026 for multi-year projects.

Purpose

The primary purpose is to fund essential operations, construction, and programs for national defense, veterans' care, agricultural support, rural economic development, food and drug safety, and congressional activities. It ensures continuity of services while incorporating congressional priorities, such as enhanced security, research initiatives, and restrictions on certain expenditures. The bill also rescinds prior unobligated funds to offset new appropriations and advances policy goals like toxic exposure research for veterans and rural broadband expansion.

Key Provisions

The bill is divided into three main sections, each with targeted appropriations:

Division A: Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Military Construction (Title I): Allocates approximately $17.5 billion for Department of Defense (DoD) projects, including:
Army: $2.45 billion for facilities, planning, and design.
Navy/Marine Corps: $5.91 billion.
Air Force: $4.09 billion.
Defense-wide: $3.72 billion, with transfer authority for family housing.
National Guard and Reserves: $728 million combined.
NATO Security Investment Program: $482 million.
Base Closure Account: $410 million.
Family Housing: $1.5 billion for construction and $1.2 billion for operations/maintenance across branches.
Veterans Affairs (Title II): Provides $320 billion+ for VA programs, including:
Compensation/Pensions: $242 billion (mandatory, available until expended).
Readjustment Benefits: $20 billion.
Medical Services: $60 billion (plus reimbursements; $2 billion extended to 2028).
Medical Community Care: $38.7 billion.
Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund: $52.7 billion for health care related to environmental hazards.
Construction: $2.1 billion for major/minor projects and grants.
IT Systems: $5.9 billion, including $3.5 billion for electronic health records (with deployment conditions).
Related Agencies (Title III): Funds entities like the American Battle Monuments Commission ($108 million), U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims ($49 million), and Armed Forces Retirement Home ($79 million).
General Provisions (Title IV): Includes restrictions (e.g., no new overseas bases without notification; no funds for Guantanamo closure) and reporting requirements (e.g., on Fort Leonard Wood facilities).

Division B: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Agricultural Programs (Title I): $4.5 billion+ for research, marketing, and safety, including:
Office of the Secretary: $52 million.
Agricultural Research Service: $1.83 billion for salaries/expenses and $43 million for buildings.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture: $1.7 billion for research, education, and extension.
Animal/Plant Health Inspection Service: $1.17 billion.
Food Safety and Inspection Service: $1.23 billion.
Farm Production and Conservation (Title II): $8.5 billion+ for loans, conservation, and risk management, including:
Farm Service Agency: $1.21 billion salaries; $12.3 billion in loan authority (e.g., $3.5 billion guaranteed farm ownership).
Natural Resources Conservation Service: $896 million for conservation operations; $52 million for watershed/flood prevention.
Commodity Credit Corporation: Reimbursement for losses; $15 million limit on hazardous waste.
Rural Development (Title III): $3.2 billion+ for housing, business, and utilities, including:
Rural Housing Service: $1.72 billion rental assistance; $28 billion loan authority (e.g., $25 billion Section 502 guaranteed loans).
Rural Business-Cooperative Service: $1.75 billion guaranteed loans; $25 million cooperative grants.
Rural Utilities Service: $1.07 billion loans; $41 million for distance learning/telemedicine/broadband.
Domestic Food Programs (Title IV): $165 billion+ for nutrition, including:
Child Nutrition Programs: $36.3 billion.
WIC: $8.2 billion.
SNAP: $118.1 billion (with $3 billion reserve).
Foreign Assistance (Title V): $1.75 billion for Food for Peace ($1.5 billion) and McGovern-Dole ($240 million).
Related Agencies/FDA (Title VI): $7.02 billion for FDA salaries/expenses (including user fees); $107 million for Farm Credit Administration.
General Provisions (Title VII): Rescinds $350 million+ from prior years; prohibits certain actions (e.g., no first-class travel; no Huawei/ZTE equipment); mandates audits and reporting.

Division C: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026

Senate (Title I): $500 million+ for salaries ($314 million), contingent expenses ($499 million), and joint items ($20 million).
Other Entities: $855 million for Capitol Police ($855 million total); $8.4 million for Office of Congressional Workplace Rights; $71 million for Congressional Budget Office; $156 million for Architect of the Capitol operations; $592 million for Library of Congress; $80 million for Government Publishing Office; $812 million for Government Accountability Office.
General Provisions (Title II): Limits transfers, consulting services, and pornography on networks; extends certain authorities (e.g., PUMP Act to staff).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Rescissions: Cancels $350 million+ in unobligated prior-year funds (e.g., $200 million from Food for Peace; $78 million from Working Capital Fund) to offset new spending.
VA EHR Modernization: Withholds 25% of $3.49 billion until a deployment plan and certification on performance metrics are submitted by June 1, 2026.
FDA User Fees: Adjusts fee collections and reporting; requires quarterly obligation reports certified by the FDA Ombudsman.
SNAP and Nutrition: Extends certain programs (e.g., fluid milk incentives); amends school lunch pricing for FY 2026.
Rural Development: Increases administrative expense caps (e.g., $1 million for several programs); adds pilots like Energy Circuit Riders ($4 million).
Legislative Branch: Enhances Capitol Police mutual aid ($25 million); adds $18.5 million for Senate security.
Other: Prohibits horse meat inspections; mandates inclusion of "genetically engineered" in market names for pre-2019 bioengineered animals; extends hemp protections.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Provides stable funding for DoD infrastructure (e.g., family housing upgrades), VA health care (e.g., toxic exposure benefits for 1.5 million+ veterans), USDA rural loans (supporting 500,000+ farms), FDA oversight (e.g., $200 million for e-cigarette enforcement), and congressional operations (e.g., $71 million for CBO analysis). Rescissions may strain prior programs but free up resources.
Citizens: Veterans gain expanded medical access ($100 billion+ total VA); farmers/rural residents benefit from $12 billion+ in loans/grants (e.g., broadband for underserved areas); low-income families receive $165 billion in nutrition aid (serving 40 million+ via SNAP/WIC). Legislative funding ensures congressional functionality, indirectly aiding public oversight.
International Relations: $2 billion+ for foreign food aid strengthens U.S. diplomacy; NATO investments ($482 million) support alliances; export guarantees ($6 million admin) boost agriculture trade.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Military/Veterans: DoD branches, National Guard/Reserves, VA patients (9 million+ enrollees), and families (via housing/education benefits).
Agricultural/Rural: Farmers, ranchers, rural communities (e.g., 20 million residents via broadband/housing), Tribes (targeted grants), and food producers (inspection/safety funding).
Health/Safety: FDA-regulated industries (pharma, food, tobacco), consumers (safer products via $7 billion FDA budget).
Legislative: Senators, Representatives, staff (salaries/expenses), Capitol Police (security enhancements), and public (guided tours, accessibility).
Other: Taxpayers (via rescissions/deficit reduction); international partners (food aid recipients in 50+ countries).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Constitutional: Upholds Article I funding for Congress (Division C) and supports Article I, Section 8 defense/veterans powers (Division A); ensures separation of powers via oversight reporting (e.g., quarterly VA financials).
Legal: Enforces existing laws (e.g., no Guantanamo closure without congressional action); amends statutes (e.g., extends WIC breastfeeding funds; adds bioengineered labeling). Includes waivers (e.g., for iron/steel in rural water projects if costs exceed 25%) and prohibitions (e.g., no horse inspections, aligning with animal welfare concerns).
Political: Reflects bipartisan priorities like veteran toxic exposure funding (from 2023 PACT Act) and rural infrastructure (e.g., $35 million broadband pilot). Rescissions and restrictions (e.g., no Huawei tech) signal fiscal conservatism and national security focus. Emergency designations for security ($44.5 million) bypass standard budget caps, potentially influencing future appropriations debates. The bill's structure promotes transparency (e.g., 30-day reprogramming notices) while allowing flexibility for emergencies.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31]

Recent Actions

2025-09-18: Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.
2025-09-11: The Speaker appointed conferees: Cole, Aderholt, Carter of Texas, Harris of Maryland, Valadao, Newhouse, Moolenaar, Rutherford, Cline, Hinson, Letlow, Guest, Zinke, Bice, Scott Franklin of Florida, LaLota, Strong, Maloy, Moore of West Virginia, DeLauro, Hoyer, Kaptur, Bishop, Wasserman Schultz, Cuellar, Pingree, Quigley, Espaillat, Underwood, Levin, Escobar, and Perez.
2025-09-11: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-09-11: On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 213 (Roll no. 263). (consideration: CR H4249) (Roll call 263)
2025-09-11: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 213 (Roll no. 263). (consideration: CR H4249-4250: 2) (Roll call 263)
2025-09-10: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3944, the Chair put the question on motion to instruct conferees and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. DeLauro demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2025-09-10: The previous question was ordered without objection.
2025-09-10: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees.
2025-09-10: Ms. DeLauro moved that the House instruct conferees.
2025-09-10: On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote.
2025-09-10: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote.
2025-09-10: The previous question was ordered without objection.
2025-09-10: Mr. Cole moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.
2025-09-10: Mr. Cole moved to take from the Speaker's table the bill H.R. 3944, with the Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment and request a conference.
2025-08-08: Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Bill Versions

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (258 pages)
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-06-25 — PDF (96 pages)
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-06-30 — PDF (94 pages)
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-06-12 — PDF (94 pages)
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2025-07-17 — PDF (180 pages)