Bill · H.R. 3944· House(119-HR-3944)
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- Introduced
- 6/12/2025
- Last activity
- 9/18/2025 — Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.
- Sponsored by
- John Carter
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- Resolving Differences
What this bill would do
This bill, the "Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026," provides comprehensive funding for various government departments. It includes appropriations for military construction across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard, alongside significant support for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation allocates resources for agricultural research, rural development, food safety, and national nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC. Additionally, it funds the Legislative Branch, including the Capitol Police and the Library of Congress, and addresses rural housing, water systems, and broadband access. Various restrictions are placed on how funds may be used, particularly regarding foreign-sourced products and specific agency movements.
Yes· 3 of 36
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+7
The bill funds suicide prevention outreach programs and the operation of the Veterans Crisis Line.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill increases support through SNAP, WIC, and rural housing assistance programs.
Would women be better off under this?+5
The bill provides funding for prosthetic research specifically for female veterans and WIC support.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
7 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. 3 of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 218–206
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
06/25/2025 · Roll call 182 · recorded as “On Passage”
- The Senate: the vote on whether to pass the billBill Passed 87–9
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
08/01/2025 · Roll call 480 · recorded as “On Passage of the Bill H.R. 3944”
- The House: a vote in favourFailed 211–213
The chamber's word for yes. The House says "aye" instead on some votes and "yea" on others; the two mean the same thing and are counted together here.
09/11/2025 · Roll call 263 · recorded as “On Motion to Instruct Conferees”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Military Housing: The bill provides significant funds for the construction and operation of family housing for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense-Wide agencies, which supports the quality of life for military families. (Sec. 2, Division A)
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Veterans Health Care: Large sums are allocated for medical services, community care, and research, including specific funds for prosthetic research for female veterans and toxic exposure research. (Sec. 2, Division A)
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Veterans Benefits: Funding is provided for compensation, pensions, readjustment benefits, and various insurance and housing assistance programs for veterans. (Sec. 2, Division A)
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Suicide Prevention and Mental Health: The bill includes specific funding for suicide prevention outreach programs and the operation of the Veterans Crisis Line. (Sec. 2, Division A)
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Fertility and Adoption Support: Funds are made available to provide fertility counseling, treatment using assisted reproductive technology, and adoption reimbursement to covered veterans. (Sec. 2, Division A)
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Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Education: Funds are set aside to continue a Tribal Public Health Resource Center to improve public health services in American Indian communities (Division B, Title I), as well as $11,880,000 for the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund and education grants for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions (National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
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Food Security for Low-Income Families: Large sums are allocated to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ($118,139,341,000) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children ($8,200,000,000) to assist those in need (Food and Nutrition Service).
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Support for Tribal Education and Food Security: A $2,000,000 pilot program provides grants to Indian tribes and organizations to operate and implement school lunch, breakfast, and child care programs (Sec. 751), while requirements for adequate monitoring ensure emergency food aid reaches intended beneficiaries (Sec. 741).
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Bison Production and Processing Support: A $2,000,000 grant program supports the production and marketing of bison (Sec. 753), and $700,000 is provided to cover costs for slaughtering, processing, and meat inspection for bison owned by Tribal governments and members (Sec. 754).
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Rural Infrastructure and Housing: Significant funds are directed toward rural housing insurance, including loans for single-family homes and assistance for multi-family rental housing (Rural Housing Service), a $2,000,000 pilot program to help non-profits and public housing authorities acquire multi-family properties to prevent loss of affordable housing (Sec. 740), and a broadband loan and grant pilot program to increase internet access in rural areas (Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program).
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Rural Energy Assistance: A $4,000,000 pilot program supports "Energy Circuit Riders" to help rural communities with energy planning and projects that reduce emissions (Sec. 778).
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Economic Development in Poor Areas: At least 10 percent of funds for various rural programs must be allocated to assistance in persistent poverty counties (General Provisions).
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Protection of Congressional Staff and the Blind: The act extends protections provided by the Pump Act to congressional staff (Sec. 212) and includes $650,000 to provide newspapers to blind and print disabled residents at no cost (Legislative Branch - Library of Congress).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Land and Construction: Limitations on the purchase of land or land easements could impact project planning if values exceed 100 percent of the determined value (Sec. 105, Division A), and funds for major construction cannot be used for projects not previously notified to or approved by Congress, which could delay developments (Sec. 124, Division A).
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Information Technology and Information Sharing Constraints: The bill prohibits the procurement of certain information technology equipment from specific entities (Sec. 257, Division A) and prohibits using funds to respond to questions or reports resulting from the congressional appropriations hearing process (General Provisions).
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Restrictions on Research and Health Information: The use of canines, felines, or non-human primates in research is heavily restricted and requires specific approval (Sec. 246, Division A), and funds cannot be used to implement rules requiring health care professionals to receive drug or biological product information electronically instead of on paper (General Provisions).
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Restrictions on Food Variety and Safety: The bill prevents the use of funds to implement rules restricting the substitution of certain vegetable subgroups for fruits in school breakfast programs (General Provisions), and funds cannot be used to enforce specific standards regarding the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of wine grapes, hops, pulse crops, or almonds (General Provisions).
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Food Sourcing and FDA Guideline Restrictions: The bill prohibits using funds to procure poultry or seafood imported from the People's Republic of China for school lunch, breakfast, or child and adult care programs (Sec. 742). Additionally, the FDA is prohibited from issuing new guidelines for low-risk ready-to-eat foods regarding Listeria monocytogenes until new science is considered (Sec. 752), and cannot develop or promote new guidelines for population-wide sodium reduction until specific survey results are published (Sec. 776).
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Agency and Personnel Restrictions: The bill prevents the Secretary of Agriculture from moving staff offices or agencies to different mission areas without specific legislation (Sec. 745), and no cost of living adjustments are permitted for Members of Congress during fiscal year 2026 (Sec. 211).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Veterans+5Good For Women+5Good For Native Americans+4Good For Children+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Farmers+2Good For People With Disabilities+2Good For Middle Class Households+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+4Improves Racial Equity+4Improves Poverty Reduction+3Improves Policing Reform+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Fiscal Responsibility+1Reduces Government Spending+1Reduces National Debt+1
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+4Improves School Choice+3Increases Public School Funding+2Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5Improves Environmental Protections+2Increases Renewable Energy Investment+2Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+7Improves Healthcare Access+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5Increases Foreign Aid+3Improves Cybersecurity Defense+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+5Improves Government Transparency+2
The changes one chamber made to the other chamber’s version, as it passed them
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year ago | On agreeing to the Carter (TX) amendments (A001) Agreed to by voice vote. | ||
| 1 year ago | Amendment en bloc No. 2 comprised of the amendments numbered 1, 14, 15, 19, 25, 28, and 32, printed in House Report 119-167. | ||
| 1 year ago | On agreeing to the Correa amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote. | ||
| 1 year ago | On agreeing to the Joyce (OH) amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote. | ||
| 7 months ago | To require a report on veterans participating in the housing choice voucher program. | ||
| 7 months ago | To strike a provision relating to hemp. | ||
| 7 months ago | To require a report on New World screwworm readiness and response. | ||
| 7 months ago | To require reports on facilities at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. | ||
| 7 months ago | To provide for the continuation of National Cemetery Administration surveys. | ||
| 1 year ago | To address interment schedule availability at cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration. |
- 9/18/2025
- Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.
- 9/11/2025
- 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)
- 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.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 213 (Roll no. 263). (consideration: CR H4249)
- 9/10/2025
- Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote.
- 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.
- The previous question was ordered without objection.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees.
- Ms. DeLauro moved that the House instruct conferees.
- On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote.
- Mr. Cole moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference.
- 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.
- 8/8/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 8/1/2025
- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S5189-5200)
- The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate under the order of 8/1/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 9. Record Vote Number: 480.
- Passed Senate under the order of 8/1/2025, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 87 - 9. Record Vote Number: 480.
- 7/23/2025
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4577)
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 90 - 8. Record Vote Number: 428.
- Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S4588; text: CR S4588-4598)
- 7/22/2025
- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S4515)
- Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 91 - 7. Record Vote Number: 423. (CR S4520)
- 7/17/2025
- Committee on Appropriations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Boozman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-43.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 121.
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S4449)
- Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S4449)
- 6/30/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
- 6/25/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 182).
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 182).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 216 (Roll no. 181).
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Ms. Kaptur moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (CR H2958)
- The House adopted the amendments en gros as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3944.
- The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2957)
- Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3944 as unfinished business.
- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
- Mr. Carter (TX) moved that the committee rise.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 530, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Joyce (OH) amendment No. 21.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 530, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Correa amendment No. 8.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Carter (TX) amendment en bloc No. 2, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Wasserman Schultz demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 530, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carter (TX) amendment en bloc No. 2.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 530, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Carter (TX) amendment en bloc No. 1.
- GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3944.
- The Speaker designated the Honorable Barry Loudermilk to act as Chairman of the Committee.
- House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 530 and Rule XVIII.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, H.R. 875 and H. Res. 516. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3944 under a structured rule and H.R. 275, H.R. 875, and H.Res. 516 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, and H.R. 875.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 530. (consideration: CR H2937; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2941-2951)
- 6/23/2025
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 530 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, H.R. 875 and H. Res. 516. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3944 under a structured rule and H.R. 275, H.R. 875, and H.Res. 516 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 3944, H.R. 275, and H.R. 875.
- 6/12/2025
- The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 119-161, by Mr. Carter (TX).
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 128.
6 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-4121: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-4249: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-5371: Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026
- 119-S-2256: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-S-2257: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HRES-530: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3944) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 275) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish on a monthly basis the number of special interest aliens encountered attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 875) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that aliens who have been convicted of or who have committed an offense for driving while intoxicated or impaired are inadmissible and deportable; and providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 516) condemning the violent June 2025 riots in Los Angeles, California.