Press Releases
Congressman Rogers touts veterans’ healthcare and military readiness in the bill
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, voted for the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (VA) and related agencies Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R. 3944), which fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits, boosts support for military families through childcare and housing, and prioritizes military infrastructure upgrades and improves military readiness. This is the first of 12 federal funding bills passed by the House for fiscal year 2026.
The bill includes more than $452 billion for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, $18 billion for military construction and family housing, and $340 million for battle monuments, cemeteries and Armed Forces retirement.
“Just last week, we were reminded of the importance of military readiness and strength, when our brave military heroes flew directly from Missouri to Iran to destroy three nuclear sites, as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. We have the most elite military in the world, and they deserve elite equipment, medical care and resources for their entire family,” said Congressman Rogers, a cardinal member of the House Appropriations Committee.
The legislation also provides funding for key resources in Kentucky, including:
- $232 million for Opioid Treatment and Prevention Efforts;
- $342 million for the Office of Rural Health; and
- $10 million for the VA to continue providing transportation to VA appointments for veterans who live in rural areas.
“Our veterans in rural Eastern Kentucky must make longer trips for medical care at a VA clinic or hospital. This bill boosts transportation for those veterans and provides additional resources to ensure they get the medical care they deserve, regardless of where they live,” continued Congressman Rogers. “We also invested more than $1.2 billion for National Guard and Reserve facility construction. As a veteran of the Kentucky National Guard, I was proud to support this bill for my fellow veterans and all of our active Armed Forces.”
The legislation preserves the integrity of VA resources for U.S. veterans by prohibiting the processing of medical claims for illegal immigrants, prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources from China, and prohibiting funds from being used for DEI and gender affirming care.
It now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. The House Appropriations Committee has passed four of the 12 discretionary federal funding bills, including Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Defense, Agriculture, and Homeland Security.
For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.