▶ 0:12:24call this meeting the appropriations committee to order. Let me go a little bit off script here for a second and announce some uh schedule modifications. Obviously, our ranking members not here yet. She's still testifying in rules. So, soon as she comes back, we'll interrupt whatever we're doing for any opening statement she cares to make.
▶ 0:12:44In addition, we have a vigil tonight at the Capitol for two of uh victims of one of the most horrific murders I've ever seen and we've ever heard about. Excuse me. Obviously, I didn't see it, but um so we will break at 6:15. It's my understanding that visual starts at 6:30 at the capital. We will reconvene here at 7:15. That should give you enough time to go and be able to come back.
▶ 0:13:11And again, obviously, if there's any overrun or something, we'll we'll make an adjustment. But, uh we'll be doing those. Otherwise, we will be working straight through. So, I know some of you worry about White House picnic. Don't worry, you're not going. So, uh, but I understand you can work with the White House legislative liaison, the chiefs of staff can get family or friends if you've got people coming here. Uh, we're going to have a constrained schedule obviously for the next few days. So, bear with us, but we'll try and work with all of you.
▶ 0:13:41Uh, let me begin my formal remarks. I want to welcome everybody u, both our returning members and our new members to our first full committee markup for fiscal year 2026. We'll first cover the military construction, veterans affairs, and related agencies bill. And second, we will improve the interim subcommittee allocation numbers for our first four bills. Before we get down to business, I'll offer a few general comments.
▶ 0:14:09Today's markup represents the first appropriations committee markup for our new members, and I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all of them. Please join me in welcoming each of our new members. For the majority, Mark Alfred from Nick Loa from New York, Dale Strong from Alabama, Celeste Malloy of Utah, and Riley Moore
▶ 0:14:39of West Virginia. And for the minority, Mike Lebanon of Maline Dean of Pennsylvania, Veronica Escobar of Texas, Frank Mvin of Indiana, Marie Glucen Camp Perez of Washington, and Glenn Ivy of Maryland.
▶ 0:15:09Delighted to have all of you here. If I haven't extended you a formal invitation to come to H216 for a drink and a cigar, consider it done. Uh, and I will try to have, frankly, all of you by just to say hi and get to know you, maybe as a group. We'll work that out. I'm sorry it has not happened. It certainly happened when I first arrived this committee. Dave Obi was kind enough to do that, but I have to be fair. There were only two of us in the minority that year, so it didn't didn't take a lot.
▶ 0:15:35And I was smart enough to bring a really big bottle of Sappa Bombay Sapphire Gin. that that was his favorite, not mine. So, you know, don't do that. Um, I would welcome again each and every one of you to the committee. As all of our members are aware, the appropriations committee has set out an ambitious schedule for completing our work for fiscal year 2026.
▶ 0:15:58You've all seen our proposed markup calendar, and you will know that our intention is to mark up all 12 bills in committee before the August recess. This will mean a very busy summer for members and staff. But I have the utmost confidence in this committee and our members and in our staff both of both those who work directly for the committee and those who work uh in the on these difficult issues in your personal offices.
▶ 0:16:24As you will know from today's agenda, we'll be considering interim subcommittee allocations covering the first four of our bills. While I will have more to say on this topic later, I know there's considerable desire for members to know what the final topline numbers will be. As you all know, the FY2025 appropriations process took longer than expected and only concluded in March.
▶ 0:16:50Secondly, as expected with any new administration, it takes time to develop a full and complete OM budget for FY 2026. While OM has provided us with a great deal of useful information, as of today's meeting, we still do not have a complete budget request. Despite delays, we continue to make progress in determining final top lines for all 12 bills. My intention is to get those numbers out to all of you literally as quickly as I can.
▶ 0:17:20Over the past several months, the House has focused its attention on reconciliation. And it's through that process uh that we've been able to take on the difficult work of both tax cuts and reforming mandatory spending. The latter of which is the true driver of our soaring national debt. But although the reconciliation bill is not yet done, the appropriations committee must do its part to get our work done. That work begins today.
▶ 0:17:47Together, we can move all 12 of these bills out of committee so that the full house can consider them as expeditiously as possible. Before we move into today's agenda, I want to remind members of a few key committee rules and norms. First, as a reminder, our committee has a rule requiring a show of hands to secure a roll call vote on any question.
▶ 0:18:09If a member has requested a roll call vote, we must see a show of hands indicating that at least 15 of the members present desire a roll call vote. If all 63 members are present, that means at least 13 members must raise their hands in support of taking a roll call vote.
▶ 0:18:26So if one of your colleagues has requested a roll call vote and you would like to support that request, please hold your hand up and hold it as high as possible so that everyone up here on the dis can see it both members and staff. Second, the committee will observe the fiveminut rule. You all will see the speaker's uh remaining time on the screens on either side of the room. When your time is up, the clock will turn uh red and I will first gently tap the gavl to remind members that their time is expired.
▶ 0:18:57So, please respect that just uh for all of us on both sides. Finally, I'll emphasize that the committee prides itself uh of our longstanding commitment to orderly and respectful debate. We have a strong tradition of working together and seeking consensus where we can. It's my hope and my intention that we will continue to do so now and into the future. And I want to thank you in advance for your cooperation.
▶ 0:19:24Obviously, our ranking members not yet arrived, but as I told you, when she does, we'll interrupt our proceedings and and certainly give her an opportunity to make her opening statement. Our first order of business today is consideration of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill for Fiscal year 2026. I now recognize Chairman Carter to present the bill. Thank you, Chairman Cole.
▶ 0:19:54I want to commend your leadership as we wrap up the committee's work on fiscal year 2026 appropriations process regarding military construction, veterans affairs and related agencies. I also want to recognize the ranking ranking member Miss uh Delaro and and the ranking member of the subcommittee Miss Wasserman Schulz.
▶ 0:20:18Their engagement on the bill before us has been very especially the work of Mrs. W, Miss Wasserman Schulz. While there are many things that we agree about, there plenty of that we disagree about. There are many things that we can agree about. Most importantly, we agree on how important this bill is in supporting our service members and their and our veterans.
▶ 0:20:47I'm pleased to present the fiscal year 2026 military construction veterans affairs and related agencies appropriations bill today. As I mentioned in subcommittee markup the other day, we need to move forward and do our job as appropriators on this critical legislation.
▶ 0:21:07As this process moves forward and we receive further documentation on the OM budget, we will take it under consideration and put forward a product that best addresses the needs of our service members and veterans.
▶ 0:21:23The bill before us provides the Department of Veterans Affairs and related agencies just over one4 billion dollars in non-defense discretionary funding as well as 300 billion in mandatory funding to fulfill our obligation to our veterans.
▶ 0:21:47As I have stated o over many time many times over, we have an obligation to ensure our veterans get the benefits and care that they've earned. The bill does that while also addressing other issues affecting veterans, including homelessness, mental health services, and taking care of our women veterans.
▶ 0:22:12The bill also makes crucial investments totaling nearly 18 billion in the infrastructure of our service members need to work on to live. The committee will continue to prioritize prioritize Indo Paycom and the quality of life investment for 26.
▶ 0:22:38As always, this bill keeps our promises to those who put our nation first. I want to thank the staff on both sides of the aisle for their efforts and their hard work. We also recognize the importance of this bill as funds essential to military construction projects, support our veterans health care and benefits, and bolster national security through our investments.
▶ 0:23:05I look forward to working with all of you as the bill moves forward and I ask for your support for this legislation. And Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank you very much. I'd now like to recognize Miss Welman Schultz for remarks on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Milcon VA subcommittee maintains our leadoff position for appropriation season as we begin this first full full committee markup. and I'm glad we're getting to work.
▶ 0:23:35Though I think you and I would agree, Mr. Chairman, we're operating under unprecedented circumstances. I appreciate Chairman Cole's emphasis on this being the beginning of the process and the bills that we consider will look very different as we progress. And of course, thank you to Ranking Member Deloro for her leadership as we embark on this appropriation season. I also want to thank the staff of the subcommittee of the full committee as well as our personal staff, both mine and Judge Carter's. Chairman Carter, thank you for the compliment.
▶ 0:24:04I always strive to be informative and I appreciate you uh you uh your your kind word. I do truly appreciate the work that we've accomplished together the past few years and I know we both prioritize providing quality of life for our service members and their families and providing the best care possible for our veterans. So, it is with a heavy heart that I am unfortunately unable to support this bill as currently written.
▶ 0:24:30To start, this bill hurdles us towards VA privatization, a top project 2025 priority that undercuts what veterans consistently ask for, which is the highquality medical care at VA. By transferring record funding from VA medical services to community care, this bill pushes veterans into private care, even though veteran polls and studies show that when given the option, veterans want to receive their medical care at VA. In 2024, veteran trust in VA healthcare rose to a record 92%.
▶ 0:25:01And we should build on this success, not kick veterans to an already crowded private market. I understand there's a need for community care, especially for rural and specialty care. However, countless studies show that when veterans seek care at private hospitals and clinics, they wait longer to see providers and get worse care. They know VA medical professionals choose this work due to its mission to care for our veterans. And that's something the private market simply cannot replicate.
▶ 0:25:26We should invest more in VA provider recruitment and retention incentives, increase benefits counselors and adjudicators, not ignore veterans wishes, and speed recklessly into privatization. Second, this bill also lacks guaranteed funding for the PAC's toxic exposure fund despite an administration request for it in the president's budget.
▶ 0:25:46Last year, this bill included guaranteed advanced funding, which I supported because it's critical to ensure care for toxic exposed veterans is seamless between fiscal years regardless of shutdowns or looming CRs. We promised our veterans with service connected toxic exposure illnesses that we'd ensure they have health care through the VA. Additionally, this bill fails to hold the administration accountable for its chaotic and illegal actions over the last six over the last few months.
▶ 0:26:16There are no provisions in this bill that requires VA Secretary Collins be held accountable for the mass illegal firings of dedicated VA employees, including critical staff for the Veterans Crisis Line. It took a court to hold this administration accountable while the Republican le Congress sat on its hands and that is unacceptable. And this bill does absolutely nothing to reign in Doge. I hear from veterans across the country about how Doge and this administration's actions hurt their livelihoods.
▶ 0:26:43One veteran from Paris, Texas, wrote to me to say, quote, "I have used the VA health system for 14 years with hardly any trouble at all. Now I can't get approval for appointments. Can't phone into my doctor anymore, and this Friday, no one answered any phones in Bonum." I asked the operator if he was worried, and he was. This is all insane." unquote. Another veteran from Northeast Ohio said, quote, and this is to me, I am a veteran that served 11 years active duty and still serve in the reserves.
▶ 0:27:13I was laid off recently with zero notice. I work for a veteranowned small business that had a contract with the VA for improving safety and developing a high reliab reliability organization. My company was decimated by the cancelling of the VA contracts. Hundreds of my co-workers lost their jobs. My life was honestly turned upside down in one day. I'm grieving a deep loss of not only a job of doing work that I truly believed in, but I am grieving the sudden and senseless loss of my community, co-workers, and close friends.
▶ 0:27:43I am the main provider for my family, and I worry about my children, home, and future. It is a very, very scary world when government work and veteran health care system no longer feels safe or stable. Trump and Musk's Doge did this without any notice or input from this committee. This isn't how we should treat our veterans. So, please don't be fooled by the claims that Doge and this administration imposed all of these arbitrary firings and layoffs to improve care for our veterans.
▶ 0:28:11The bill fails to address the attempted illegal transfer of $343 million without proper approval from the committee. The chairman and I had to forcefully remind the secretary that congressional approval is not a suggestion. It is legally required.
▶ 0:28:26Without provisions to address these abuses and prevent them from occurring again in the future, this community committee's power of the purse is drastically weakened and it sets a horrible precedent that I'm quite sure my Republican colleagues would be outraged over if a Democratic administration behaved in the same way. On the military construction side, this bill underfunds military construction by $94 million compared to the president's budget request and fails to fund some specific needs like installation resilience and NATO infrastructure commitments.
▶ 0:28:55As Russia continues to wage an illegal war in Ukraine and threaten Europe, we should be sending a clear sign that we stand with our NATO allies, allies who've stood by us for decades. And we all know that warming global temperatures are having a devastating impact on our military installations, including sea level rise, recurrent flooding, hurricanes, and extreme weather, as well as extreme heat and drought. Yet, this bill includes zero dedicated funding to mitigate this extreme weather damage to our installations and force readiness.
▶ 0:29:24We've seen time and again that what devastating extreme weather can do to installations. In 2018, Hurricane Michael mauled Tindle Air Force Base in Florida and cost the Air Force $4.9 billion to rebuild. And when Typhoon Typhoon Marwar ran through Guam and devastated the island, the Air Force estimated that it would cost $4 billion to reconstruct Anderson Air Force Base. Finally, this bill includes a plethora of harmful poison pill riders.
▶ 0:29:51It once again prohibits the VA from implementing its interim final rule to protect a woman's right to an abortion and counseling. This bill also 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 prohibits VA from following federal law to keep guns out of the hands of people who federal law say should not have them because they are a danger to themselves or others.
▶ 0:30:18My subcommittee receives notifications every time there's a suicide on VA property. Over the last year, we received suicide notices from Asheville, Los Angeles, McAllen, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, South Texas, Puget Sound, and too many more to name. Every single veteran committed suicide with a firearm. Every single one. With all these serious concerns, I cannot in good conscience support this bill.
▶ 0:30:46The subcommittee has a long-standing trai tradition of bipartisanship and I truly value my friendship with Chairman Carter and this makes me sad. I hope we can work through the obstacles and reach a bipartisan agreement as we have in the past. Know that the words you hear today are not personal.
▶ 0:31:01They are personal when it comes to the application to fighting for the quality of life and the ability of our veterans and our service members who are active duty to have safe infrastructure over their heads and to make sure that we are prepared for any national security emergency. I hope that we can work together in good faith going forward to take care of our veterans, service members, and their families in the way they deserve. This bill sadly does not yet achieve that. I'm hopeful that it will going forward. Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.
▶ 0:31:34Thank you very much. I now recognize myself for remarks on the bill. And again, just a caveat, when our ranking member arrives, she certainly will be recognized for that in addition to any opening remarks she cares to make. Um, I'd once again like to welcome everyone to our first full committee markup for fiscal year 2026. In highlighting the values that we hold close as a nation, it's only fitting that the appropriations process begins with the military construction and veterans affairs bill.
▶ 0:32:04The proposal before us is a testament to caring for those who selflessly worn America's uniform, their families, and the defenders who follow their path of service. We meet the mission not only in words of gratitude, but in policies that support them. To our veterans, we are fully funding health care and benefits. They upheld their sacrif sacred oath to us and I now promise a grateful nation is keeping our promise to them.
▶ 0:32:32Uh to our military families, we are investing in the quality of life issues that matter most. Child care, parental resources, housing, and infrastructure. Supporting the loved ones of those who defend us is an essential is essential to a strong and ready force. And to our adversaries, we are enhancing America's commitment to peace through strength by investing in base infrastructure uh and key deterrence efforts in the Indo-Pacific.
▶ 0:33:00With this legislation, our obligations to our heroes uh defense and national security are upheld effectively and responsibly. I thank Chairman Carter for leading uh legislation that honors our veterans, resources our troops, and reinforces our base posture. I'm grateful to him and all the members and staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work on this bill. I urge all members of the committee to support it today.
▶ 0:33:27Um for their hard work, I look forward again to the consideration of this bill. And with that, I yield back. Are there uh any other members wishing to make general comments about the bill? Gentleman from Maryland's recognized. Thank you very much, Mr. Mr. Chairman.
▶ 0:33:49This bill has been your mic on this bill. matter of fact did do uh in in the past have been bipartisan bills and very frankly in that respect I think they were better bills.
▶ 0:34:18Not only that but I think they were more likely to be adopted uh not only by the Senate but by the Congress and signed by the president. uh these are not going to go anywhere and are not going to be passed. And there is a disturbancing disturbing discrepancy, Mr. Chairman, between how this administration praises our veterans and military families and how it actually treats them.
▶ 0:34:46Earlier this year, I met with a veteran from my district, Albert Auster, who works in cyber security. He served the Air Force back in the 90s. He later spent six years as a federal contractor for the Department of Defense and then eight years as a civilian employee with the Marine Corps tasked with supporting critical cyber security missions. In 2023, he got promotion work at cyber security and infrastructure security agency.
▶ 0:35:13He helped defend America and our allies from cyber attacks and hacking operations perpetrated by foreign adversaries like The job wasn't easy. Albert often spent Christmas and other holidays apart from his family while on assignments abroad.
▶ 0:35:31In that job throughout his career, however, Albert consistently consistently exceeded expectations and received outstanding reviews from his superiors. He excelled under both Republican and Democratic He told me, and I and I quote him, "Not once would I ask, is this a Republican mission or a Democratic mission. It's an American mission.
▶ 0:36:01It's what we need to do." That was his premise and his action. On February 14th, Valentine's Day this year, Albert received an email that he had been terminated for performance issues. That was a lie. That was a ruse.
▶ 0:36:25That was a madeup reason for removing him for no cause. Neither he nor his supervisor had been warned in advance. A decade of service, health care for his family, his entire livelihood, all brought to an end with a single email.
▶ 0:36:50The rhetoric that we use for veterans was not displayed in that action toward that veteran. Is that really how we want to treat our veterans? Sadly, Albert's story, as so many of you know, is not unique. I'm sure every one of you has heard from somebody in your about how they received a summary summary dismissal without cause, without reason, and without notice.
▶ 0:37:21That number will surely grow given the veterans represent some 30% of our federal workers whom the Trump administration has deemed villains. You know the quote from Mr. vote who heads up OM. He wanted them to be perceived as villains. Every one of our federal employees. How sad.
▶ 0:37:44Trump's plan to fire 80,000 to fire 80,000 VA employees and privatize medical services for our vets will only increase costs, diminish the quality of care, and reduce access to vital programs. That's why, Mr. Chairman, thousands of veterans took to the National Mall last week to protest this administration. These were not my words. These were not democratic words.
▶ 0:38:13These were people who have fought for our country, displayed valor in battle, committed to America's freedom and summarily told, "We don't need you Frankly, they don't want a parade. They want their country to honor its commitment to them just as they honored their commitment to their country. This bill is another example, Mr.
▶ 0:38:42Chairman, of our government falling short of our sacred duty to care for our veterans and military families. It advances the Trump administration's VA overhaul. However, it hurts our military readiness and the quality of life of our service members and military families by underfunding military construction.
▶ 0:39:05Therefore, I must oppose this bill and urge a no vote in each and every member who cares deeply about serving our veterans and our country. Are there other members uh wishing to make general comments on the bill? gentle lady from Ohio's recognized. I uh thank the chairman and uh uh Chairman Carter and ranking members Deloro and Wasserman Schultz.
▶ 0:39:34Also, um maybe it's important to say that when I first got to Congress, which was a while ago, the very first committee I served on was the Veterans uh authorizing committee and uh was the only woman at that time. Over the years, I've seen this body change to be a better place and to make historic steps forward for the country in terms of serving our veterans. They earned in service what we owe to them. And I have seen massive changes.
▶ 0:40:04For example, when we covered Agent Orange, and I can still remember Doug Applegate, Congressman from Ohio, who said, um, there's a difference between what is scientifically provable and morally right. and we began to take care of all the veterans from the Vietnam era who were so ill due to cancers related to Agent Orange. We've recently passed, as you well know, the Heath Robinson Toxic War Veterans Pact Act. Heath Robinson traces his um history to our Ohio's ninth district.
▶ 0:40:33And since it was passed, the PAC Act has opened the door for nearly two and a half million veterans across this country to access the care they need for toxic substances they sustained while serving. Fully funding the PAC Act for those of us who represent vets is an absolute necessity.
▶ 0:40:54Instead, this legislation deguts the toxic exposure fund established by the PAC Act by more than half its funding. Instead of strengthening, in addition the affordable care through the Veterans Health Administration, this legislation also moves to prioritize and privatize veterans medical services. They don't want that. The veterans want us to improve the veterans facilities across this country.
▶ 0:41:22So, the approach, perhaps well-intentioned, is the wrong one. Shifting billions in public financing to private hospitals leads to higher costs, longer waiting lines, and fewer guarantees for the care our veterans have earned. Finally, instead of investing in our military facilities and long-term construction needs, this bill underfunds those accounts, are you ready? By nearly a billion dollars. I hope as this bill moves forward, we can fix that.
▶ 0:41:52I want to compliment the chair for bringing something before us today, but we have rubber numbers. We really don't know what's going to happen over the next several weeks, but Democrats stand united to support our United States military and all our veterans who have so faithfully and courageously served to preserve liberty for us all. Not a one of them ever asked me for a parade in Washington. they'd prefer the money be put into veterans healthcare across this country. Thank you and I yield back.
▶ 0:42:21Please vote no on this bill. Thank you very much. Are there other members wishing to make general comments about the bill? Mr. Chairman, gentleman from South Carolina is recognized. I thank the chairman y time. Mr. Chairman, I I hail from South Carolina. I serve the sixth congressional district of that state. That district includes Fort Jackson. It includes Charleston Air Force Base.
▶ 0:42:51We have the uh Shaw Air Force Base, the headquarters of the Third Army. We have some very serious issues going on in these communities where military men and women who make significant The Princeton study released recently indicated that uh North Charleston, South Carolina uh where the Charleston Air Force Base is located
▶ 0:43:22leads the nation uh in um just to let's just go expulsion from homes. South Columbia, South Carolina is number These communities has got one thing in common. They are where the military men and women live.
▶ 0:43:44And when we looked at the records, we were shocked to find out that so many military families while a spouse was serving overseas were being evicted from their homes in and around these military bases. Also, Mr.
▶ 0:44:04Chairman, in South Carolina, there was a man whose name was Isaac Isaac Woodard was a decorated war veteran coming home from World War II. Isaac Woodard stopped in the little town of Batesburg, Gleville.
▶ 0:44:23And when he stopped there, attempted to use a restroom while still in uniform, he was dragged off the bus, beaten severely, and had his eyes punched out by a billy Harry Truman was so incensed with that is what caused him to sign uh the executive order integrating in the armed
▶ 0:44:55A few weeks later, 1947, soldiers coming back home from World War II were denied GI benefits for housing. They were denied them simply because of the color of their skin.
▶ 0:45:13Coming back home from the war, having just won World War II, the first 3,250 GI housing grants, only two went to African-Americans. Not 2%. went to African-Americans.
▶ 0:45:39And then I see in these budgets these dramatic cuts. Just this morning, uh we talked with the HUD secretary who is cutting the HUD budget by 51%. At the same time he says they are HUD programs dealing with veterans.
▶ 0:46:11are sleeping on the streets on the bridges. from Vietnam uh are absolutely being denied the kind of health care that they need to be receiving from the legislation we are now considering.
▶ 0:46:37I would hope that as we go through this Milcon uh appropriations bill that we would think about the sacrifices made by these men and women, the sacrifices made by their families and the obligations that we have to them that would allow them to live in dignity as they try to raise their families.
▶ 0:47:07You know, it's kind of interesting when you get denied veterans benefits like you get denied benefits with housing. These uh these uh men and women who did not get those benefits, it means that they didn't get the opportunity to participate in the quickest way to independence, the quickest way to No equity.
▶ 0:47:31All the other soldiers were building equity in their homes, passing it on to their children. These men and did not get that. But it didn't stop with housing, education as well. Uh these men were denied GI benefits. In fact, I proposed legislation here in this body dealing with Joseph H.
▶ 0:47:58Maddox who came home from the war applied for uh admission to Harvard University and was admitted and when they found out that he was uh uh was they withdrew uh his admission.
▶ 0:48:19And when they inquired about it, they said to him, they were not going to violate the Veterans Administration's And because they had accepted Veterans Administration policies, they would not accept him as a student.
▶ 0:48:39I proposed legislation in both these gentlemen's name, Isaac Woodard and Joseph Maddox, hoping that we would recognize their children, their descendants, and at some point do something to repair that fault.
▶ 0:49:13Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, I stand to voice my strong opposition to the FY26 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which is presented uh here today uh by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.
▶ 0:49:34I am disheartened that the concerns of my colleagues and I that addressed this bill last week were not taken seriously. So, I'm again urging the full committee to consider these concerns and proposed bringing the focus off this administration's wants and back to our veterans and our military members There's no room
▶ 0:50:05here for advancing political agendas at the expense of our veterans, at the expense of our military members, at the expense of their families. Our veterans want to receive care at VA medical centers.
▶ 0:50:23Yet in this bill, they're increasing community care by an unprecedented Our military families need better housing and child care centers. Yet, we are underfunding military construction for housing and child care centers. Our women veterans deserve a right to receive in their own right individual health care.
▶ 0:50:53Yet, we are taking away their constitutional right to abortion services if they need it. Veterans deserve to have stability knowing that their benefits are safe and Yet, this bill is not advanced funding the toxic exposure fund.
▶ 0:51:19This bill is not about building trust with those we serve. This bill should speak to our nation's values, our nation's priorities, and our commitments. This should reflect who we are and it should help move us towards who we strive and aim to be.
▶ 0:51:47We have the difficult task of balancing financial figures, but we cannot in that process sacrifice our potential or jeopardize the well-being of our military families, our veterans, and our national security.
▶ 0:52:10As I stated last week, this bill cuts where we need to invest. It deregulates where we need accountability. And most egregiously, it divides when we need to unite. Our military families and our veterans are relying on us.
▶ 0:52:40I urge all of my colleagues on this committee and in this Congress to consider these concerns from the lens of our constituents who are currently serving our veterans and their families from their perspectives. This population should be the north star that guides the committee's actions.
▶ 0:53:08And we should be working to assure that our active duty military personnel, of their families, and all of our veterans have all of the resources they need not just to survive, but to thrive. Unfortunately, this bill does not do that. And I'm unable to support it in its current form.
▶ 0:53:34So, I urge my colleagues, I urge this committee, do the right thing for our veterans. Let's not slight them. They the price for the freedoms that we wrote a check figuratively when they raised their We cannot let that check come back marked insufficient funds because we cheated them in
▶ 0:54:04this committee. We cannot deny the military families the benefits that they deserve while sacrificing and serving for our country.
▶ 0:54:18I hope and I pray that each and every one of us will do the right thing when it comes to our veterans, our military families, and our national security. It is truly in our hands, and we need to do what should be done. With that, I yield back.
▶ 0:54:49The gentle lady from Minnesota is recognized for her opening comments on the bill. Mr. Chair, uh, I wish the president had submitted a full budget request. We have some of the same issues in this bill that we're going to see again on Thursday when we mark up the defense bill. For the first time in modern history, we did not have a full budget request submitted by the president in time to write these bills.
▶ 0:55:17Now, we know that the military construction portion of this bill is going to be about $900 million under what the president is going to request, but like the defense bill, we don't have the granular details and the administration what their priorities on military construction really are. Are they barracks? Are they child development centers or family housing which support the quality of life that our service members and their families depend upon from us?
▶ 0:55:47Are there additional construction in the Indo-Pacific or the shipyard optimization program? Or is it Golden Dome, which is a concept at Beths? Without a full budget request, we don't have these answers. We don't know if the funds in this bill will cover the necessary construction costs even, or if that funding is misaligned. We must manage the funding tales in the defense bill.
▶ 0:56:12The downstream impacts of what we do here in military construction become far more difficult to manage without a budget request. And that job has been made even more difficult this year. I'll use the facility maintenance as an example. We talked about it a little bit this morning in in uh our hearing with the Secretary of Defense.
▶ 0:56:30We know for a fact that the Department of Defense has been redirecting fiscal year 2025 funds intended for management uh maintenance, sustainment, and modernization of service facilities to the border mission. They haven't told us how much yet this is going to cost. I did kind of glean from it might be over 20 close to or what these physical uh facilities uh will become of if they don't have funds directed to them for repair.
▶ 0:57:00We do know that this will create holes for those facilities and sustainment accounts in fiscal year 2026 and future defense bills. It will lengthen the backlog of deficit facility projects that need to be funded. This is a huge problem and it's something we need to address. Our job is difficult enough when we have the full funding blueprint from the administration in front of us and this year we just don't even have that.
▶ 0:57:27If that wasn't bad enough, the Veterans Affair portion of this bill has a serious problem. Billions in this bill are transferred from the VA to private hospitals and clinics, which will pass the cost on to our veterans and their families while failing to reduce weight times. Furthermore, operating expenses for Veterans Benefits Administration are underfunded and that will significantly impact staffing and delivery of earned benefits to those who've served.
▶ 0:57:54And this is concerning because we know the Trump administration plans to cut up to employees from the VA. That's a 15% VA workforce reduction. Thousands have already been fired, many who are veterans themselves. And here's the story of just one from my state of Minnesota. And I had the opportunity to meet Joy. Joy Marver is a retired first uh retired sergeant first class of the Army National Guard.
▶ 0:58:22Her military career spanned three active duty tours, more than 800 days in war zones. She was injured twice during her service. The second time was during a rocket attack in 2020, which left her with a concussion, damaged eyesight, and a traumatic brain injury. But she didn't stop serving the American people after those injuries. Oh, no. She kept on. She applied for a job at the VA. And what did she do there at Fort Snelling?
▶ 0:58:53She helped re retrain her fellow veterans for the civilian workforce. She coordinated veteran burials to honor her fellow veterans with a final resting place. She was the employee of the month and received a rating of outstanding level on her last performance in October 2025. But this past February, Joy was fired by the Trump administration. No notice, no cause, no thank you. That's just one story from my state.
▶ 0:59:22The Trump administration, I believe, should be a shame for how it treats veterans like Joy. 15% in the VA employees will not make the VA more efficient. It means cuts to doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. And make no mistake, this will mean a reduction to health care services, impacts to benefits, and make the VA times to wait longer, not shorter. Mr. Chairman, at this time, this bill is simply inadequate.
▶ 0:59:50We need uh the administration's full budget request to responsibly address military construction projects. It's our job to stand up for our veterans and ensure they have the healthcare and the benefits they earn by serving our nation, not to advance right-wing propaganda that you can find in Project 2025 with the goals of privatizing veterans healthcare and undermining the VA. I yield back.
▶ 1:00:23Is this on? Yep. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I rise today sadly in opposition to this bill because it would severely harm our military readiness and worsen the quality of life and the safety of our service members and their families. This Republican bill will especially hurt our military families at Creech Air Force Base in Southern Nevada.
▶ 1:00:48That's because this bill underfunds military construction by $94 million, shortch changing the Department of Defense's infrastructure needs. It's important to understand uh just how important Creech Air Force Base is in leading the charge in the future of warfare. It is literally the center of excellence for our military's remotely piloted aircraft.
▶ 1:01:15And we've all seen how effective unmanned aircraft systems are in playing a significant role in combat, especially as we saw in Ukraine uh this morning, as a matter of fact, and in Russia last week. But instead of investing in Creech and its airmen, the House Republicans want to cut funding to them. Creech already has numerous quality of life issues.
▶ 1:01:43It has a lack of base housing, dorms, child care, specialized health care, youth center, commissary, and basic amenities to support uh our service members and their families. And to make matters worse, critical upgrades to Creeche's medical facilities to increase capacity were delayed until fiscical year 26 due to a lack of funding.
▶ 1:02:10The underfunding in this fisc year 26 bill will now almost certainly delay that project even further. This means that airmen and their families literally will have to continue to tra travel 50 miles in some cases just to get the care they need.
▶ 1:02:32Look, I'm I I'm working to get assignment incentive pay reinstated for the airmen at Creech to offset some of their cost caused by the difficult challenges of their jobs. I've led legislation to do it and last year we worked together and were able to get signed into law a pay increase for junior enlisted service members and uh another 4.5% for all other troops.
▶ 1:03:00But these cuts in this bill are unacceptable. And I hear from these military families each and every day. Not only is it a slap in the face to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us, but it is weakening our military readiness and damaging our war fighters. Our military families at Creech Air Force Base are getting screwed over because of this type of legislation.
▶ 1:03:27And if that wasn't bad enough, this bill enacts project 2025 goals to privatize medical care for veterans by transferring billions to private hospitals and clinics, which will only lead to longer wait times, diminish quality of care, and higher costs to taxpayers.
▶ 1:03:48I you know and I just had several hospitals from Southern Nevada in my office worried about what the cuts in the reconciliation bill will do to their systems even further. So think about that. We're cutting the VA. We're cutting Medicaid. And what is that going to do not just to veterans but to all of our constituents? We should be supporting the men and women who make our military the greatest fighting force in the world. This bill doesn't even come close to doing that.
▶ 1:04:18and I urge my colleagues to vote no. Thank you and I Thank you. Gentle lady from Illinois, Miss Underwood is recognized for her opening remarks. Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose the fiscal year 2026 military construction veterans affairs and related agencies appropriation bill that we're considering today. Our veterans are heroes who've given so much to our country.
▶ 1:04:45Their sacrifices can never be fully repaid, but the least we can do is to provide them with the highquality health care and other benefits that they're entitled to. When they come home, they deserve to know that the country they fought for is going to deliver on its promises. And today, we have the opportunity to keep those promises. But unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle have chosen to join the Trump administration in turning their backs on veterans.
▶ 1:05:12To start, this bill takes a page right out of the Project 2025 playbook by wasting billions of taxpayer dollars to privatize veterans medical care. Even though this approach will only lead to higher costs, longer wait times, and more barriers to care.
▶ 1:05:28So, while this committee could be investing in vital VA-based care that is consistently preferred by veterans and outperforms private community care, House Republicans have written a bill that will raise costs and lower the quality of veterans care. This is unacceptable. If that wasn't bad enough, let's talk about the Pacted Act. I was proud to support this historic bipartisan expansion of healthc care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits and Agent Orange.
▶ 1:05:58Since its passage, the VA has delivered new PAC Act related disability benefits to more than 1.4 million veterans and over 14,000 survivors uh who have died of toxic exposure related illnesses. The PAC Act was a promise. If you put your life on the line for this country, we will take care of you. But this bill breaks its promise by failing to provide guaranteed advanced funding for the PAC Act toxic exposure fund.
▶ 1:06:28Advanced funding provides the certainty the VA needs to plan for and deliver high quality care for our veterans who are subjected to toxic exposures. And it doesn't stop there. This bill is packed with the same cruel performative policy writers we see year after year. As a nurse, I believe healthc care is a human right, including the full range of reproductive health care services. But this bill blocks the VA from providing abortions or even abortion counseling.
▶ 1:06:57It would force many of our veterans, like countless women across this country since the disastrous DOS decision, to wait until they're on their deathbeds to receive essential health care. It's extreme. It's deadly. And it's anti- veteran. The bill also underfunds military construction by $94 million, delaying critical infrastructure needs that are vital to our military readiness. That hurts recruitment.
▶ 1:07:26It worsens the quality of life for service members and their families, and it undermines our national security. But perhaps most alarming, this bill fails to stop the Trump administration's dangerous, effort to dismantle the Department of Veterans Affairs. So far, the Trump administration has illegally fired thousands of VA staff that support critical services like processing claims benefits and keeping the veterans crisis line running.
▶ 1:07:55And they have canceled more than 500 contracts. These cuts have interrupted veteran services and threatened the future of critical research from cancer treatments to suicide prevention. And this is just the beginning. Donald Trump's VA secretary has said publicly that the administration's goal is to reduce the agency staff by 15%. That's 80,000 fewer professionals working to keep our promises to those who have served this country and many future veterans left behind.
▶ 1:08:25Already, I've heard from veterans in my district about the distress caused by these impending cuts. At my most recent town hall, one veteran who has sought mental health care at the VA since 1970 shared his concerns about the future of his care in the midst of these impending cuts. Another constituent of mine reached out via email and shared that quote, "Veterans that use the center for mental health issues are having anxiety attacks over the issues at the VA.
▶ 1:08:51This is the real cost of the administration's decisions." And instead of standing up for veterans, my Republican colleagues have written a bill that rubber stamps the administration's illegal and cruel acts. For all these reasons and more, I cannot support this bill. Our veterans deserve better. They deserve a Congress that will honor their service, not just with words, but with action.
▶ 1:09:14They deserve a fully funded VA, access to comprehensive health care, including reproductive care, and a government that keeps its promises. I ask my colleagues across the aisle to do the right thing to stand up for veterans and reject this misguided bill. I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from Maine, Miss Pengu's recognized for her opening comments on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 1:09:43I am extremely disappointed to see the damage to the vital funding for the Milcon VA bill that is done in this bill before us today. Just to mention a few things. You've heard people talking about the 80,000 proposed staffing cuts, which is absolutely a way to move forward to privatizing our veterans medical care. This cuts veterans and families access to reproductive health care and has many more problems that will have a chance to address in our amendments that will be coming soon.
▶ 1:10:12But I want to talk about a couple of specific impacts that we will see in Maine. The first one is called installation resilience funding, $30 million cut. Now, it's kind of a wonky term, but it will mean a lot to our state. For those of you who don't know, I am blessed to have the Portsmith Naval Shipyard in my district. Luckily, there's no one in here from New Hampshire because sometimes they think it's a New Hampshire shipyard, but very clearly it is in Maine, even if it's called Portsouth. It is in Ky Maine.
▶ 1:10:42It is a vital military facility where we overhaul, repair, and modernize our US Navy's nuclearpowered subs, specifically the Los Angeles and Virginia class. This shipyard, for you history buffs, was established in 1800, and the first ship they built was the 74 gun warship called the USS Washington in 1814.
▶ 1:11:06It was a vital shipyard during World War II where we constructed 75 submarines and had up to 25,000 people there working every day. Now, I'm very grateful to this committee for consistently investing in upgrades and improvements in the dry dock and modernization facilities there. But you should know that when you build on the coast, any of your coasts, my coast, your coast, the west coast, um it is not stable.
▶ 1:11:34And if you were in Maine in 2024, just a year ago, November, we had two severe storms that wiped out about 50% of our working waterfronts. And even this year, there has been some of the greatest sea level surge in the Portsmith Naval Shipyard recorded in all time. So what happens then? It risks flooding to our nuclear submarines. You can imagine how expensive and delicate this operation is.
▶ 1:12:02And this year they had to use sheets of plywood to keep the dry docks from flooding. The millions and millions of dollars you have invested are now being uh kept safe with some sheets of plywood. Why would we spend millions of dollars in the SCOP if to modernize these facilities if we're not going to spend a measly $30 million for resilience funding? It just doesn't make any sense. You know why? Because resilience is one of those prohibited words. Perhaps it is woke.
▶ 1:12:32Perhaps it means climate change. So, for the sake of some prohibited words and things that people think don't actually matter, we are not going to protect our essential investment. Now, as you can imagine, I could go on and on, but I do want to mention one more thing. The staffing cuts that are being proposed and have already happened, whether it's through the Doge or the deferred resignation.
▶ 1:12:54And by the way, that deferred resignation that Elon Musk thought up means that you let people out of their jobs said, "Go ahead, go home, don't go to work, but we'll keep paying you till September, and we can't fill those vital positions." So all those people who thought, "Maybe I should take the buyout because I might get fired are sitting home wishing they were at work, uh, getting paid, and we are spending the taxpayers dollars for people to do nothing." I lucky to represent a VA clinic.
▶ 1:13:22I also have TOGUS uh medical facility in my district. And I want you to know the number one call that we get from veterans who call in for constituent service and I know you all do a lot of veteran services in your offices too, is the wait times for VA appointments. It used to be about 17 days, which is a long time to wait, but most recently we heard from a vet who was recently separated and waited 63 days to get to that appointment.
▶ 1:13:49You tell me it's not going to get worse if we lay off 80,000 more people. The need is there. These cuts are shameful. The damage we're doing in this bill will be shameful. I'm sorry I can't support it. And I yield back my Thank you. The gentle uh gentleman from California, Mr. Leven, recognized for his remarks. Chairman Cole and Ranking Member Deloro.
▶ 1:14:14appreciate the hard work that went into drafting this bill and the inclusion of several of my funding and language requests for our veterans and junior enlisted service members. However, I still cannot support the bill as currently written. I'm worried that this bill is part of this administration's attempt to privatize the VA. We've known this was the plan from the start.
▶ 1:14:35During our subcommittee markup, I brought a copy of Project 2025, which outlines exactly how this administration plans to carry out privatization. This comes at a time when VA plans to fire up to 80,000 workers. I might add roughly a fourth or more are veterans themselves. And as the administration's hiring freeze is preventing local VA facilities from hiring the people they need to serve our veterans.
▶ 1:15:04In other words, VA is losing employees without doing anything to recruit new ones. Fewer VA employees mean greater delays in veterans benefits and veteran services. Our veterans deserve better than this. I met with so many of them and with VA employees across my district and they're scared and they're angry. The brave VA employees who shared their stories with me describe an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Don't take it from me. Go talk to them yourselves. I'm going to share one of their stories now.
▶ 1:15:34Last week, Last week, I met with the spouse of a San Diego VA employee who wishes to remain anonymous for the stake of their spouse's job. They shared the impact of the president's executive order ending collective bargaining rights for the vast majority of the federal workforce and the imminent largescale reduction in force at VA.
▶ 1:15:52Quote, "This dual strategy of starving resources and open hostility jeopardizes the unionled federal workforce and the nation's duty of care to nearly 16 million veterans." End quote. They shared with me that VA has become an explicitly hostile work environment and that many high-erformers have opted to leave.
▶ 1:16:15They shared that VA leadership has ordered management to, and I quote, terminate the performance improvement plans of the lowest performing employees and implement a new mandatory overtime requirement. End quote, "This haphazard approach is exhausting the workforce while reducing the quality of work and service." End quote. Friends, this is unacceptable. This is unacceptable. When VA employees are pushed to the brink, they are not able to serve our nation's heroes effectively.
▶ 1:16:46This bill would only make the problem worse by shifting significant funding to private hospitals and clinics that could better serve our veterans if it was instead invested in the VA healthcare system. I join this subcommittee and this committee to fight for our veterans and our junior enlisted service members that I represent at places like Marine Corps base camp Pendleton. I'm grateful that this bill includes some of the funding I requested to improve our barracks. It's needed and the family housing as well.
▶ 1:17:13But I've got to address the disturbing comments that were made by our Secretary of Defense Pete Hegsth that'll impact these same Marines and these same sailors. Just a few days ago, Secretary Hegsth posted that active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton, again in my district, would be mobilized for the purpose of law enforcement in nearby Los Angeles. Now, approximately 700 active duty Marines, not from Camp Pendleton, but from nearby 29 Palms have been deployed.
▶ 1:17:43Our armed forces have a long history of remaining aolitical. Apolitical. My grandfather served in World War II and always told me that the strength of our military was that we do not in part the strength was that we do not ask it to conduct civilian law enforcement. It's one of the fundamental principles of our armed forces. Our Marines are trained to be lethal, the greatest fighting force in the world. They are not extensively trained for law enforcement or non-lethal operations.
▶ 1:18:13Runs counter to our Marines training. I'm demanding answers from the Secretary of Defense. The Marines that I represent deserve nothing less. With that, thank you and I go back. Thank you very much. The gentleman from Wisconsin, Mr. Pokean, is recognized for his opening remarks on the bill. Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:18:38I rise today in opposition to the fiscical year 2026 military construction veterans affairs and related agencies appropriations bill. This bill shifts a record amount of funding 67% away from VA medical care and into community care, pushing veterans towards private care that may not be able to meet their unique needs. This is more about enacting the project 2025 goals of privatizing the VA than helping veterans.
▶ 1:19:06It also fails to provide funding for the toxic toxic exposures fund which just creates unnecessary uncertainty for toxic exposed veterans who need access to care and benefits through this fund. It threatens the rights of women and LGBTQI plus veterans by severely limiting access to abortion care and ripping away access to medically necessary and life-saving gender affirming care.
▶ 1:19:31and it reduces investments in key areas like mental health, teleaalth, and rural health initiatives. The VA is already reeling from the devastating impacts that Elon Musk and Doge have had on its workforce. Another critical issue this bill fails to address. But don't take my word for it. Take it from the veterans and the people who work from the VA. There's a veteran, Jen S. She's an employee at the Altuna Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pennsylvania.
▶ 1:19:59She writes, quote, I'm writing today to communicate the real and immediate impact these decisions on reductions in force are having on our direct patient care and the overall morale of the workforce. In many departments, both veteran and non-veteran employees are now doing the jobs of multiple individuals. They're afraid to speak up. They're afraid they haven't done enough when they are now required to continue to submit weekly activity emails to human resources.
▶ 1:20:26In addition, no overtime or compensated time is approved unless a veteran is physically in front of an employee, which could lead to scenarios where care coordination is cut off simply because someone's shift has ended. The strength of any veterans health care system lies in its people. We cannot continue down a path that pushes out experienced, dedicated staff while simultaneously compromising the quality of care veterans deserve.
▶ 1:20:53And then a veteran who prefers to remain anonymous from outside of Cleveland, Ohio said, "I served 20 years active duty Air Force, retired in 2001. Have since worked for and retired for an FAA repair facility in Mentor, Ohio. My son started working in the DFAS government position and then moved to Buffalo, New York to take a position in the IRS. He has since lost his job due to President M's job cuts.
▶ 1:21:21Trump has endangered my 401k where I've lost since his inauguration and now is threatening my VA benefits and Air Force retirement. If he keeps going making cuts to SSA's Ponzi scheme, I could lose everything I've served for. This bill breaks from with our faith with our veterans.
▶ 1:21:43I urge my colleagues to reject this measure and work towards a bipartisan solution that fully funds the VA, rejects radical agendas like Project 2025 and privatization, protects access to health care for all veterans, and guards the VA against the administration's unlawful actions to fire dedicated employees and jeopardize access and quality of veterans care and benefits. Thank you, and I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 1:22:12to the gentleman from California, Mr. Aguilar, is recognized for his opening comments on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise today to speak in opposition of the FY26 military construction VA bill. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I wish we were here to discuss a funding bill that supported our veterans and tackled the affordability crisis head on. This bill doesn't do enough to lower the costs that hardworking Americans and hardworking veterans face on a daily basis.
▶ 1:22:41And it's an unacceptable contrast that we sit here today to speak about our commitment to our veterans when just a few weeks ago we voted to throw off as a body to throw veterans off of health care and take food off their tables. It is unamerican to hand out tax breaks for billionaires on the backs of the men and women who served this country. When our veterans made the decision to serve our country, they were promised that we would have their backs when they returned home.
▶ 1:23:08This legislation is a direct violation of that promise. By cutting funding for vital services that our veterans rely on, we are turning our backs on the men and women who served this country. Veterans across the country continue to report delays and back backlogs and barriers when trying to access benefits that they've earned. You've heard some of those stories from my colleagues today.
▶ 1:23:33But instead of fixing these problems, this bill cuts funding for the Veterans Benefits Administration, making it even more difficult for veterans to get help with processing their claims. Our service members and our veterans deserve better than this funding bill. They are already facing cost of living crisis that and this legislation only increases the financial challenges that they're facing. Where is the plan for making housing more affordable?
▶ 1:24:01We need to be working together in a bipartisan way to deliver solutions that make life better and more affordable for our veterans. I hope today we can work we can pledge to work together to make some of these common sense changes that will achieve these priorities for our veterans. This committee has a record of working together to get things done. I hope that we can dispense with the partisanship and work on a bill that can actually become law, but that's going to mean dramatic changes to what we have in front of us today.
▶ 1:24:32Thank you, Mr. Thank you. The gentle lady from New Jersey, Miss Watson Coleman's recognized for opening remarks on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It always surprises me and indeed saddens me how willing my colleagues on the Republican side are to reduce the quality of living for our service members and their families.
▶ 1:25:00I know many of you have served or have family members who've served and we thank you all for your service. So I don't understand how you can all happily support a bill that would have stripped resources from you and your families. We are not oblivious to the long-term impacts of privatizing veterans health care. This bill would allocate over $30 billion to medical community care. This is the largest increase that we've ever seen.
▶ 1:25:29And we know that this increase represents the Republicans's goal of privatizing health care for veterans and anything else that can help uh privatize. These people gave their lives to this country. And what do the Republican counterparts do in return? Well, they increase their co-pays when they need to see a doctor and prohibit reproductive support services for service women and their spouses. And that's not even a quarter of the harm that is in this bill.
▶ 1:26:00Our veterans need and deserve tailored care due to the physical and psychological stressors that come with their job. We cannot strip the VA of its ability to provide that direct care by moving millions into private hospitals and clinics that already are struggling to serve the greater community.
▶ 1:26:21We must increase funding for VA health care so our veterans get the targeted care that they need without the long wait lines times wait times and the bureaucratic hurdles. We must reject deliberate choices to weaken the VA and to replace this muchneeded health care system with a more expensive model that seeks to place profit over people.
▶ 1:26:49We are witnessing high record uh high heat um and flood levels across our country now. And in addition to what we're doing in this proposal to weaken health care, well, we're leaving our communities and our military installations in desolate areas out there on a limb all by themselves.
▶ 1:27:13This bill in 19 in FY FY24, the bill provided 30 million for installations for resiliency projects and 150 million for disaster recovery. However, this year that number is zero for either of these efforts. The lack of dedicated funding to protect our military installations from climate change and natural resources is barbaric. A natural resource is just that, natural.
▶ 1:27:42Meaning, it isn't controlled by man, which means it can't be stopped by man. The only thing we can do is protect ourselves. And unfortunately, this bill does not do that. In fact, it does the exact opposite for our service members and families. My state alone has about five military installations. I know Texas has about 15, Kentucky has two, and Tennessee has four, and the list goes on and on and on.
▶ 1:28:07With thousands of people living and working on them, military installations are not immune to natural disasters. It is our responsibility to protect the infrastructure that houses the people who serve and protect our country. We owe it to our veterans to support programs that provide shelter and basic necessities. But we cannot ignore protecting our service members who live on base.
▶ 1:28:32We must remember that whatever we don't do to help our installations now will surely have an impact on our national security later. Our service members deserve the right to protect themselves from all forms of threats. And yes, that includes even storms, winds, and rain. I cannot and I will not support this legislation because my state deserves better. My veterans deserve better and so do yours. I yield back.
▶ 1:29:03Thank you. The gentleman from Y, Mr. Casease, is recognized for his opening comments on the bill. Thank you very much. Uh, Mr. Chair. Uh first of all, I fully endorse uh my my colleagues remarks on the overall content of this bill, both on the sufficiency of military construction in general and especially on the deficiencies in this bill in taking care of our veterans. All of that I fully agree with.
▶ 1:29:31But I'd like to focus my comments here today on my part of the world, the Indo-Pacific. The Indoacific, of course, our priority theater. We say this all the time. We know this where our pacing challenge, a generational challenge with the PRC and its allies and partners is playing out with great risk u great uh necessity of action and this is where we should be putting our money uh from a defense
▶ 1:30:01perspective. Now, my friend and uh respected colleague, the chair of the subcommittee made a statement in his opening uh remarks that this bill takes care of the endoacific. I think that was your words, sir. Um and with great respect, I have to disagree with that because I do not see the evidence that the endopacific is in any way, shape, or form prioritized uh in this particular bill.
▶ 1:30:31And I speak on the military construction side of this bill here. How many Milcon projects in the Indo Pacific are in this bill? How many? One. One project for $50 million in Guam for defense access roads. One milan project in this bill. Now, I have no problem with the defense access roads in Guam.
▶ 1:30:57But let's consider what is not in this bill from the perspective of military construction. And these are just a couple of examples. Let's let's stay with Guam for a second. Uh devastated in May of 2023 by Typhoon Mawar with billions of dollars of damage uh to key military installations on Guam, a forwardbased the homeland of our country that is critical uh to our preparations and our national defense.
▶ 1:31:26With respect uh to the PRC uh there's nothing in this bill to take care of that. We know that the Navy uh and other inst and other uh services uh need significant improvements at Naval Base Guam in Opera Harbor on Guam. Starting with just as one example, Polaris Point, a key forward base for our forward positioning of our submarines both fast attack and ballistic.
▶ 1:31:56that needs a military construction component. Let's talk about the air force here and what the air force refers to as agile combat which is its plan to mate the challenge of the PRC by dispersing basing not centralizing it and by providing for the ability to land in different places and to operate from different places.
▶ 1:32:19And as a result the air force is investing wants to invest a lot of money in places that most of us have never heard of. Places like Yap, places like Tinian, places like Palao. These are critical to the Air Force's war plan. And yet there's nothing in here for those particular Milcon projects. Let's talk about Wake Island out of there in the middle of the Pacific. A critical facility that needs more attention.
▶ 1:32:49Wake is literally falling into the ocean and yet we have not taken care of Wake Island. And then of course there's I hope and believe we would all agree that Hawaii has a place to play in all of this at this point. And yet there's no Milcon for Hawaii in this project. Um my colleague from Maine talked about SC up. There's no funding to make sure that uh shipyards can continue to serve us in this capacity.
▶ 1:33:18Um there is a CBO report um that calls for billions and billions and billions of deferred maintenance and other construction right in Hawaii. Uh including for example Kaneo Bay Marine Base at 1.1 billion Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickham at $1 billion and I could go on down the list.
▶ 1:33:40And then there is the problem of a continued reluctance, a continued closing of their eyes by the defense department of anything that smacks of any kind of base resilience because they don't want to talk about the effects of the weather on our basing and therefore things get zeroed out that the military knows that we need and this is u simply the wrong way to take a look at this.
▶ 1:34:06We are shortchanging uh this critical um strategy in our Milcon and we've got to correct this before it is literally too late. For these reasons and others, I oppose this bill. Yield Thank you. The gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Quigley's remarks for or recognized, excuse me, for his opening remarks on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr.
▶ 1:34:31Chairman, I associate myself with the remarks of my Democratic colleagues, and if I were to follow suit, I would detail the short staffing at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center located Chicago serving 62,000 veterans in the area, short staffed, including those in my district.
▶ 1:34:49I could talk about the health aid VA health home health aid who uh said that she's postponing her because the center is so short staff if she quits she retires there'll be veterans without care. But I think the real disservice is this. This is an extraordinary waste of time that does a disservice to those veterans and all Americans.
▶ 1:35:17Who's going to lay odds that we're not heading for another CR when we're talking in such extreme measures? Where is there possibility for any kind of common ground? Second, we're not even dealing with real numbers here. We all have to face the fact that we're just talking so that we can say we had these hearings. There's no 302BS. There's no real request. There's no real numbers.
▶ 1:35:46And finally, what's more disturbing than all, and I I consider you all my friends, is what difference does it make if we actually were to pass a bill through regular order if the can totally ignore it, not follow any of it, make random cuts with no thought or reason.
▶ 1:36:15And we can understand a thoughtful analysis of how to make government more efficient. But people at Jesse Brown were telling me these supervisors were saying people didn't show up at work and they said why aren't you at work? And they said, "Well, I got fired. They told me from DC and why?" They didn't even ask anybody who could you do without where could you afford cuts? They just made cuts. And that day, veterans didn't get it.
▶ 1:36:44With respect, you abdicated your article one powers. And until you stand up for the bills that you fight for, we're wasting our time. And respectfully, that's the real disservice to our veterans and to all Americans. Thank you.
▶ 1:37:12The gentle lady from California, Miss Torres, is recognized for opening remarks on the bill. And thank you, Mr. Chairman. I um rise today deeply disappointed about this bill because it fails our veterans, service members, and their families. This bill cuts funding to the Veterans Benefits directly hurting veterans trying to access the benefits that they've earned.
▶ 1:37:41The VA is already overwhelmed. Veterans wait months and even years just to get their claims processed. Cutting resources will only make those wait times even worse. My constituent Ryan from Ontario, a veteran, was declared permanently disabled after fighting five years to win his appeal. But he won't see a single dollar for six more months.
▶ 1:38:11Not because he doesn't qualify, but because backlogs and understaffing. Ryan is now facing homelessness. This is what happens when we gut the very system meant to help those who served our country.
▶ 1:38:31This bill also pushes privatizing of the outlined in project 2025 pulling money away from trusted systems and giving giving it to private That means fracture care, higher costs, and longer wait times.
▶ 1:38:57Veterans deserve consistent, comprehensive care, not a patchwork system that prioritizes And this bill goes even further, restricting abortion counseling and in some cases care itself at the VA. It forces invasive reporting on abortion services.
▶ 1:39:21And this is a direct violation of privacy and an attack on women veterans who served their country Beyond healthc care, this bill cuts support for veterans, housing, and food assistance from veterans who are struggling to get by. The cuts are only going to make their life even harder.
▶ 1:39:47And as a mother of an Air Force veteran, I will never stop fighting for service members, veterans, and their families. This bill abandons them. They deserve respect, care, and full support, not cuts. And I urge my colleagues to vote no. And I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from New York, Miss Ming, is recognized for opening comments on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:40:17I rise in strong opposition to the fiscal year 2026 Milcon and Veterans Affairs funding bill. I'm proud to represent Queens, New York, home to over 38,000 veterans, more than any other burrow in the city. One of those veterans is Mr. Luke Gratzani of Woodside, Queens, who served 20 years in the US Army. He completed four combat tours, two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, sacrificing for his unit, his family, and his country.
▶ 1:40:48Mr. Gratzani is a hero, but even that didn't protect him from this administration's treatment of veterans and public servants. At the beginning of the year, Mr. Gratzani was working at the James J. Peters Medical Center. One morning, he received a cold, templated email telling him he was terminated and to pack up his belongings and leave by noon. He wasn't alone. Nearly 6,000 veterans across the federal government got the same email.
▶ 1:41:19Up to 80,000 employees at the VA could be fired, rolling back staffing to 2019 levels despite increased need for VA How did the administration justify this? A former senior White House official defended the firings by saying veterans might not be fit to have a job at this moment or not willing to come to work. That's outrageous. Veterans like Mr.
▶ 1:41:47Gratzani are not only willing to serve, they already have. And now they serve again, this time as federal employees delivering critical care and services to others. The way they were discarded was And what does the House majority think of these veterans and public servants? Those who once wore the uniform and who still do? This bill makes it painfully clear.
▶ 1:42:13It makes their quality of life worse by underfunding military construction by almost $1 billion. It enacts project 2025 by taking steps to privatize the VA, leading to worse outcomes, higher costs, and longer wait times. It weakens the power of our women in uniform to make decisions about what's best for their own health.
▶ 1:42:38It makes our service members and their families more vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters, and extreme weather. And it does nothing nothing to protect veteran federal employees like Mr. Gratziani willing to give their lives for this country only to be tossed aside by Doge and billionaires like Elon Musk. Fortunately, Mr. Gratzani fought back and he won.
▶ 1:43:05He was reinstated and received full backay, but not everyone has. And under current law, it's not a guarantee that they will. That's why I'll be offering an amendment to guarantee full back pay for every VA employee who was unjustly terminated and later reinstated. They deserve every scent without delay.
▶ 1:43:27For now, I remain strongly opposed to this bill because it abandons our veterans, weakens our military families, and guts public services. All to make room for more tax breaks for the wealthy. I urge my colleagues to vote no, and I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from Florida, Miss Frankle's recognized for opening remarks on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:43:55First, I want to recognize the dedicated men and women who serve in our in my local VA system. Uh, individuals who show up every day and persevere despite the senseless layoffs that scutted their workforce. And for those of you who have served us in the military, I want to thank all the veterans here. All of you who have loved ones who have served, I want to thank you.
▶ 1:44:22Uh my home community of Palm Beach County is home to more than 60,000 veterans, including my own son, Ben, a proud Marine Corps veteran who served both in Iraq and Afghanistan. So, I rise today not only as a member of Congress, but as a Marine mom. And I got to tell you that parts of this bill severely aggravate me.
▶ 1:44:46Uh because I I know the sacrifices that our surface members make and and like most Americans, I believe that when they return home, they should get the health care and support that they've earned. And that promise is under serious threat.
▶ 1:45:06Drastic funding cuts pushed by the richest man in the world, Elon Musk and his soul called Doge Boys have wrecked havoc across federal agencies including the VA. George has Doge, that's what they call them, Doge. They've stormed into government, slashing staff, bullying employees into early retirement, and leaving chaos in its wel in its wake.
▶ 1:45:32and uh now sadly being rubber stamped by our Republican colleagues. Uh these reckless reductions in the federal workers have real life consequences, especially for our veterans trying to access the care they need.
▶ 1:45:51And this bill also funnels billions into private care, overlooking the fact that many veterans suffer from complex conditions like PTSD that aren't often seen or well treated in the private sector. And I'm going to in that regard, I'm going to share one of the stories of my uh constituent. He's a 78-year-old disabled veteran named James. He uh served in the Marines 1967 to 1969.
▶ 1:46:21And when he returned, he suffered from severe nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, trouble concentrating, symptoms that we now recognize as PTSD. And for decades, James struggled. His condition made it hard for him to keep a job, to maintain relationships, or even get through a normal day.
▶ 1:46:45Eventually, the depression became so deep that in 2019, James began having frequent thoughts of suicide. But fortunately, he found help at our local VA. Uh he was referred to a PTSD specialist and bec therapy that helped him to return his life around.
▶ 1:47:07And he told me, James said this, "The VA saved my life." But just a few months ago, that same therapist who had been seeing James uh regularly for months was laid off due to staffing cuts to those Doge boys. What does that stand for? I don't know. But now James is back on the wait list.
▶ 1:47:35He's been waiting months to be assigned a new therapist. And he recently he said, "I'm scared of landing in that dark place again. I don't know much how much longer. I can wait for someone to help me with these difficult thoughts." So, let me just ask everyone here. I'll ask everybody. Does this honorable veteran deserve to live in fear? Should he be forced to wait months to for the care he needs? I'll answer the question. Of course not.
▶ 1:48:06For veterans like James, care from a trusted, specialized VA provider is not a luxury. It's a lifeline. Forcing him to start over with private care that may not understand the complexity of combat trauma puts him at serious risk. A country's budget is supposed to reflect its values. And we should value our veterans. I know we value our veterans.
▶ 1:48:32So, I hope that together we can work together to get this bill to a place that truly honors the promise we've made to our service members. And so folks like James can get the care they need. And until then, I will vote unless we can fix this bill. Maybe we'll fix it. But right now, I'm voting no. And I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 1:48:58As I said at the beginning, when the ranking member arrived, we would go to her for her opening statement. Any comments about the bill? If you want to break it in two, that's fine, too. I know you've been doing quite a bit over in rules, but uh and then after that, we'll resume with member comments about the bill. So, with that, I recognize the gentle lady, the distinguished ranking member of the full committee, my friend, Mr. Laura from Thank you very, very much, Mr. Chairman, for yield and thank you for your indulgence.
▶ 1:49:26I I was not out bowling or going to a movie. I was at the rules committee for the last I guess three hours uh etc. Always an experience. But I really uh thank you for your indulgence. I thank you for your friendship and I said many times before we've had the opportunity to work together in so many ways over the years in which we have produced bipartisan bills that I think have really um addressed the needs and the concerns of this nation.
▶ 1:49:54And my hope is that we can get there again uh this time around. Um and before we begin, I I I I want to thank before I begin, I want to thank all the military construction and veterans affairs subcommittee staff on both sides of the aisle for their work. And in particular, let me say thank you to Farooqaso, Tyler Co, and Farooq. Congratulations. First markup uh as a subcommittee clerk. Baptism by fire is always good. Uh this is the first full committee markup of a fiscal year 2026 bill.
▶ 1:50:24and we do so in completely unprecedented times with the Congress's authority and this committee's relevance being challenged by a lawless administration. If it is true that there are Democrats, there are Republicans, and there are appropriators, then now is the time for appropriators to stand up. Let's preserve our constitutional authority over the power of the purse.
▶ 1:50:45Since taking office, the Trump administration has stolen funding appropriated by this committee, passed by the House and the Senate, signed into law by the president for programs and services across the federal government that help to grow the middle class, protect the working class, fuel small businesses, and make sure billionaires and mega corporations play by the rules and pay taxes. The president is not laser focused on the cost of living crisis, which he is actually making worse.
▶ 1:51:13He promised to fight for the working class, but instead put billionaires in charge of our They are attacking programs that support veterans, firing thousands of veterans who serve in our government in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. These cuts are not just numbers on the page. They are not only felt in Washington. They touch all of our districts, including my own. There are well over 100,000 veterans in Connecticut.
▶ 1:51:39My district is home to Connecticut's only VA hospital and that performs inpatient care, the West Haven VA Medical Center. The staff at the West Haven VA received resignation offers and Elon Musk's quote five things email. Among them are Renee Luno Sheeki, a registered nurse who says morale among the center staff has been impacted by this administration's tactics and policies.
▶ 1:52:07She said, and I quote, "I could tell you what I didn't do last week. I didn't take lunch a single day. I didn't take a 15minute break a single day because we are trying to do a lot with what little we have." The West Haven VA Medical Center, like VA facilities across the country, does not have too many staff or too much funding. It is already doing a lot with a little. But this administration has no boundaries when it comes to jeopardizing the programs and services the American people depend on.
▶ 1:52:36And that includes programs that serve America's veterans. The bill before us will enact a key project 2025 proposal by transferring billions of taxpayer dollars to private hospitals and clinics, leading to longer wait times, poor communication and coordination, diminished quality of care for veterans, and higher cost for taxpayers.
▶ 1:52:58This is a step toward This bill would worsen quality of life for service members and their families while putting veteran safety at risk. While our military faces massive recruitment challenges, the bill underfunds military construction by nearly $1 billion, hurting our recruitment and retention and undermining our military readiness. by making it harder to keep guns out of the hands of those illegally barred from holding them.
▶ 1:53:27This bill endangers veterans safety. This bill leaves military installations, service members, and their families vulnerable to climate change and worsening natural disasters by failing to include dedicated funding to strengthen military installations against these threats or to help them recover from past disasters.
▶ 1:53:46Defense leaders, including during President Trump's first term, have warned of the danger that climate change poses to our military and the tens of billions of dollars in damage to military installations from recent severe weather reinforces their point.
▶ 1:54:01Former Secretary Mattis warned that climate change threatened American interests and our defense assets around the world and said that climate change is, and I quote, a challenge that requires a broader whole of government response, end quote. The bill attacks women veterans, who are the fastest growing group served by the Department of Veterans, with a policy writer that limits abortion access and prohibits abortion counseling.
▶ 1:54:29The women who volunteered to serve and defend our nation to protect America's sacred rights and freedoms should not come home to find their medical care and family planning decisions being made by anyone else except themselves, their families, their doctors, and their faith. These writers do nothing but put us on a path of partisan division that will make it more difficult to come to an agreement on fullear bills.
▶ 1:54:55Ending fiscals 2025 with an unprecedented fullear continuing resolution was a missed opportunity to invest in our veterans and in our service members. We should be working towards a bipartisan bill that can actually pass this year. The majority not including advanced funding for the Pacted Act speaks volumes about a lack of commitment to those who have suff suffered toxic exposures. And finally, the bill undercuts our commitments to our military partners.
▶ 1:55:24The Trump administration has already done a masterful job at alienating America on the world stage and turning our back on our closest allies. Yet, this bill goes even further, underfunding NATO infrastructure by almost $200 million, undermining infrastructure projects our own troops in Europe rely on. Our credibility as a national security partner has been trashed by this administration. Now is not the time to retreat from our alliances even further.
▶ 1:55:55The majority may suggest that they are supporting our veterans needs with this bill alone, but we all know that it does not contain all of the programs that most vulnerable veterans depend on. Programs and services from food assistance to education to health research, which this administration has illegally frozen and dismantled and which their budget decimates funding for, support veterans around the country.
▶ 1:56:21Losing that support means abandoning our responsibilities and our promises to our nation's veterans. I cannot support this bill, but it is my deepest hope that we can improve this bill to support our veterans, our service members, and to support workers and their families. Thank you and I yield back and thank you again, Mr. Thank you. And uh it's all right with ranking member then we'll just resume with the comments from members.
▶ 1:56:52Just Rosa just making sure it's okay. We'll just resume now with comments to members. You're Yes, that's okay. Very good. U chair recognizes Miss Dean of Pennsylvania for opening remarks on the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member Delaro. Uh I am pleased to be a new member of this committee and I look forward to learning the rhythms of this place. Uh, I already get the tips on uh snacks and blankets.
▶ 1:57:21Uh, and I'll learn more as I go. Uh, but sadly I must stand in opposition uh to the Mil Convets Affairs Appropriations Bill. I come from a family of veterans. Uh, my grandfather, Harry Eaton of Philadelphia, was a Navy veteran during World War I, and inspired by him, my two brothers, Harry and Bob, joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. Uh my late brother Harry served stateside.
▶ 1:57:47Uh and my eldest brother Bob served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a radio man. Um I have many vets on my staff. I'm lucky to work with them. They come back and they want to serve more. Uh I have powerful good vets on my staff and I rise against this bill because our vets deserve be better than this. They deserve the very best.
▶ 1:58:11Uh, I was reading an article back in May of this year where morale at the VA has plummeted following the administration administration's announcement of cuts of nearly 15% 80,000 VA employees. And maybe you all were uh as astonished as I to hear Secretary Collins so glibly say that cutting 80,000 VA employees will not impact veterans and veterans healthcare. Of course it does. Of course, it already is.
▶ 1:58:41I have here with me project 2025 uh and uh in the uh 600 range, page 600 range. Uh specifically, Mr. Chairman, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chapter 20, uh the mission statement starts on 641 and goes through Over and over laced throughout this chapter on veteran affairs is uh the need
▶ 1:59:11to hire outside contractors to shift care to independent outsized doctors contractors urgent cares moving veterans outside the system uh in Orwellian language like you can't believe on page 650 under the term personnel tell me if you understand what this means pursue reforms to the human capital management process and operations within the VBA.
▶ 1:59:37I don't know what human capital management process and operations is, but I have a feeling it has to do with human beings, people who actually work there. Uh unfortunately this bill takes up that kind of Orwellian uh drain uh everything of humanity uh language and over and over again uh it urges the privatization privatization of course for profit uh outside of the VA.
▶ 2:00:05I was talking to some vets yesterday uh in my district uh and they said to me and they do work with veterans uh particularly around veteran suicide. They say vets feel forgotten. One veteran said to me, "Vets feel abandoned." Take a look at this. God bless you. Uh the Pacted Act not fully funded. Really? We finally got it right by our veterans in t in terms of toxic exposure and we're not going to fully fund it into the new year.
▶ 2:00:36take a look at the limit on women's health care, including access to abortion information, counseling, let alone uh the information as to the offering of services for abortion care. After all, abortion care is health care. I wonder if male veterans suffer such uh uh retraction of information for their good health. Take a look at construction.
▶ 2:01:04a billion dollars short on construction funding. I just was curious. I don't know. Um, it falls short nearly a billion dollars on construction funding. It falls short of our US commitment to our allies, as the ranking member just said, again, harming our reputation around the world. We are the indispensable nation, but here we are shortch changing NATO allies infrastructure.
▶ 2:01:29Finally, I I would argue that we must much more robustly fund veterans mental health and addiction services. As you know, we have a horrible statistic that as many as 20 veterans a day take their own lives. It happens in my district. Sadly, it happens among people that I know. 20 veterans a day is more than 7,000 veterans a year. They deserve better.
▶ 2:01:59We must not forget our veterans. Help them with their problems with addiction. Help them uh with their problems uh with mental uh health. I'll close with this. I told you I was excited to be on this committee. I served on the appropriations committee when I was in the uh Pennsylvania House uh because I loved being up close to the numbers and knowing that how we appropriate really reflects who we are. It reflects our values.
▶ 2:02:27And that's why I wanted to come here to this appropriations committee. Sadly, I don't think this reflects the very best of our values when it comes to our veterans. Uh, and with that, I yield Thank you. The gentleman from New York, Mr. Espayat, is recognized for his opening comments on the bill. Thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:02:53uh rather than fulfill the duty of veterans and military families, uh the majority uh has taken this bill for their own uh partisan agenda.
▶ 2:03:08and 210,000 veterans in New York City, including patients at the Peters VA Medical Center in my district, will find it extremely hard uh to to get their care if uh the rep my Republican colleagues succeed in the privatization of many of these uh services. Female veterans seeking their reproductive rights will lose their right to make decisions about their own bodies.
▶ 2:03:35Even as they put their lives on the line for fellow Americans, they will be denied that right. Veterans in my district and around New York will lose the right to abortion they currently have.
▶ 2:03:49current services uh and current services for members and their families will live and work in installations that are vulnerable to natural disasters because simply many in this room cannot accept the fact that climate change is real. Although it is devastating many places in our country.
▶ 2:04:11Wildfires in California, floodings, tornadoes, uh all kinds of uh disasters are devastating our our country and making it hard for us to fund assistance to these uh communities. And yet there is a reluctance to accept that simple fact, scientific fact that climate change is real.
▶ 2:04:37Providing for those who serve in uniform is one of our most sacred legislative commitments. Today, the majority politicized that veterans like Sergeant Ryan Tahada, who was uh a green card holder in my district and lost his life in the in the war, in the Gulf War, was given citizenship And many
▶ 2:05:07young men and women that are green card holders seek to go and serve in the armed forces. They want to serve our nation. They feel that they are in every way except perhaps that they're not US citizens. And it takes death for them to be given citizenship.
▶ 2:05:30And yet, if those same members of the armed forces go to an emergency room and have to consult with their doctor, if they are not English proficient, no one will be there to assist them to tell them how many times they need to take the medication to be prescribed to them.
▶ 2:05:52No one will be able to explain to them the recommendations that the doctors give so unjust that they choose to serve our nation and die on the battlefield if they have to and yet they cannot even get proper translation services in a VA hospital if this bill goes through. Mr.
▶ 2:06:17Chair, I think that we must renew our commitment to the men and women in the armed forces and military families and we ought to take a look at all the shortcomings of these bills and do a complete U-turn. And I yield back. Thank you very much. Uh before the chair moves the next speaker, let me just let everybody know we are voting now. We have enough time for everybody that wants to speak to have an opportunity to do that before we break.
▶ 2:06:47And then I would ask you, I think it's only two votes. So I would ask you as soon as you cast your second vote to come back. We'll have a few minutes, but then we will, as was announced earlier, recess at 6:15, resume at 7:15. So people wanting to go to the visual can do that. Uh so with that, chair recognizes Miss Escobar of Texas for her opening remarks on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:07:13Uh and to the ranking member, Chairman Carter and ranking member Werman Schultz. This is my first full committee uh markup. I am so excited to be on the appropriations committee and really grateful for the opportunity. I joined this committee after six years on the House Armed Services Committee and I'm excited to bring everything that we worked on uh uh on HS here, especially to this specific subcommittee.
▶ 2:07:44I have the privilege of representing El Paso, Texas, which is home to Fort Bliss, a premier military installation. I'm grateful for the inclusion of priorities that help Fort Bliss, grateful to the hardworking staff, and for the support of my requests, but I cannot support this bill because of the deep cuts that harm our veterans.
▶ 2:08:07Like many of my Democratic colleagues, I've been hosting town hall meetings and have had over 100 engagements w in my community. uh and many of those engagements are with veterans and they are so alarmed at what is happening under this administration.
▶ 2:08:25I've heard many many times now uh the fear from my constituents and from veterans the endangering of their financial well-being, endangering of their health and their careers of our veterans, military families and other federal employees. Simply put, I believe the military families and veterans in my community and in this country deserve far better.
▶ 2:08:50One of the constituents I've heard from, a DoD civilian who is also a veteran, he works tirelessly to support our army at Fort Bliss. He could not understand why he and other veterans in the federal workforce that support our military were being demonized by this administration, forced to do more work with fewer resources after the federal hiring freeze and firings went into effect.
▶ 2:09:17He could not understand why this administration did not at all account for the mental health and the financial impacts to veterans and federal employees who had either lost their jobs or were terrified of losing their jobs. Each of whom simply wanted to provide for themselves, their families, and help their community. I also heard from women veterans in my community who have fiercely advocated for improved services and care for their fe fellow veterans and active duty sisters.
▶ 2:09:47They are deeply worried about the recision of reproductive care policies where in our home state of Texas, the VA and the DoD are one of the very few means by which to access care if these military women and veterans need it. They are also worried about the disruptions to suicide prevention services such as the Veterans Crisis Line. And these are just a few of the concerns that I've heard throughout my district.
▶ 2:10:15And that was prior to passage of the House Republican Reconciliation Package, which mandates deep cuts to other federal programs like Medicare and nutrition programs, all so that millionaires and billionaires can get big tax breaks. I hoped this bill would do more to protect our veterans, military families, and the federal workers who are so deeply committed to serving them. And we still can.
▶ 2:10:43And it's my hope that we can get there together. But these policies won't just hurt veterans in my district, they'll hurt veterans across the country. This bill leads us down the road of privatization of the VA, a key goal in Project 2025. I can tell you every veteran in my district opposes privatization of the VA. They know it will cost taxpayers more money while diminishing the care that they deserve.
▶ 2:11:13The staffing cuts will result in diminished and delays in care for our veterans. Not just the Doge cuts, but the impending cut of 80,000 VA employees. Those employees deliver care to our veterans. Those employees are key to that care.
▶ 2:11:33We are hemorrhaging talent every single day and we on the appropriations committee have to stand in the way of that hemorrhaging talent. I really am eager to participate in this markup so that we can make improvements together because I believe the service members and veterans in my district and around the country who have sacrificed so much for us deserve the very best bill we can deliver. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:12:03I yield back. Thank you very much. I now recognize Mr. Verbman of Indiana for his opening remarks on the bill. But before I do, uh, I want to do it with the caveat and the hope that you're as nice to us in Indianapolis or the Indiana Pacers are as the we were to you in Oklahoma City in the opening game of the NBA playoffs. We'll be nicer. Nicer. I I hope so. That would be fabulous. Yes, sir.
▶ 2:12:32All your projects would be approved. You didn't even I I keep saying yes, sir. Because that's the Pacer uh cheering line. Yes, sir. Uh, Chairman Cole, Ranking Member Deloreio, Subcommittee Chairman Carter, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Wasman Schultz. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on fiscal year 26 military construction and veterans affairs appropriations bill.
▶ 2:12:55Throughout my career as an elected official, I have worked directly with the Northwest Indiana veterans to help them access the worldclass benefits and health care they have earned. Indiana's first congressional district is home to nearly 40,000 veterans and I am fighting every day to ensure the VA effectively honors the promise to our nation's veterans. This includes and ensuring that we provide the agency with the staffing and the funding needed to continue providing quality care. This proposal fails to live up to our responsibility to support our veterans.
▶ 2:13:24In particular, I have heard countless stories from veterans and families in Northwest Indiana who are deeply fearful of the impact that staffing cuts at the VA will have on their ability to access essential services. For example, Mary from Chester wrote me about her husband, a disabled veteran who has used the Veteran Crisis Hotline on multiple occasions to receive life saving assistance.
▶ 2:13:47Another veteran from Northwest Indiana shared a heart-wrenching story of having survived the parachuting accident and sexual trauma while in the military. Both of them expressed their anxiety that VA staffing cuts will reduce veterans access to critical medical and mental health services. I have also heard from veterans who have chosen to continue their mission of serving their country by joining the federal workforce post service who now face uncertainty about their employment.
▶ 2:14:15Veterans make up nearly 30% of the federal workforce. So staffing cuts not only impact veterans but also their livelihoods. This includes Joseph from Sherville, Indiana, a combat veteran who has been a dedicated federal employee for over a decade and now worries about facing a reduction in force notice. I also would like to highlight that this bill fails to create guard rails to protect against the anticipated staffing cuts.
▶ 2:14:44Secretary Collins is expected to terminate almost 80,000 positions, and this is on top of the termination of a thousand employees in February. I would note that this bill also slated to grow the VBA's compensation and pensions account by 44 billion in fiscal year 26 and another 14 billion in fiscal year 27, despite the secretary's planning to cut 2,000 jobs from the VBA.
▶ 2:15:08So you can understand my confusion as why we are growing the budget while slashing jobs, meaning veterans would be waiting longer to receive the benefits they deserve. The decrease in staffing is coming at a time when we should be expanding benefits and care the following enactments of the Honor the Pact Act. The average length of time to close a PAC Act claim by VA is 165 days. More than 2.3 million claims have been processed, including more than 6,000 claims in Indiana's first congressional district. That's a good thing.
▶ 2:15:39That's with the current staffing levels already in place. We must do better in addition to decrease in staffing and workforce issues. During my previous service in the House Veteran Affairs Committee, including technology modernization subcommittee, I was involved in oversight of the implementation of the electronic healthc care records modernization program. and I am very concerned that this me this measure severely underfunds this important program and hinders the value that it can provide to our veterans.
▶ 2:16:09I look forward to the debate and the efforts to ensure that we are doing everything possible to support our selfless veterans and their valuable contributions to our nation and our communities. With that, I yield back. Thank you very much. Uh we now go to Miss Perez of Washington for her opening remarks on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh and thank you to the ranking member for their hard work on this bill.
▶ 2:16:39Um I've spent a lot of time listening to veterans in my district. um my brother who works at the VA, my friends who are nurses at the VA um about uh what this bill means and and there are several things here that we think are moving in the right direction that my community thinks are moving in the right direction. Um but one of the things in particular I was glad to see was the movement on the medical companion uh programmatic language.
▶ 2:17:03Um c consider for a fact for a moment if if you're a veteran experiencing a medical condition that leads to your isolation. If you have hearing loss, if you need a transplant, all of these things that socially isolate you and make it more less likely for you to have someone in your life who can drive you to an appointment that you need to get to that your life depends on. Um those those are uh problems that rise in tandem. And so not having the family member, not having an adult in your life to make it to those appointments means that these these appointments are being delayed and people are losing their lives.
▶ 2:17:34Their quality of life deteriorates, their social network becomes more weak. And so the language in some of the uh programs that have been advanced in some VAS I appreciate deeply. Um I I've spent a lot of time um we all have I think talking about government Um, and while I appreciate the funding increase here, um, one of the critical things if you if you write out the VA system, uh, for taking in information, it is 8 feet
▶ 2:18:04tall and 20 ft long and a lot of those in 12-point font and and without addressing these this the backwaters and the back channels and the inefficiencies and the paperwork that is burying the good work people are trying to do, we are not getting a more efficient system.
▶ 2:18:22Um, part of that includes the software that we're uh relying on and and the the um contracts that we've I was glad to see language I support in the bill for the VA to continue to do asset management inventory of the hardware and software that the agency currently has. This is an important uh starting point to ensure that we are getting our money's worth, that our veterans are getting the services they've earned.
▶ 2:18:47Um, still I have other priorities to support veterans that are not included in this bill that I'd like to work with my colleagues on. Um, one of the issues that I hear a lot is that um, right now the mileage reimbursement is only eligible for the veteran or their designated caregiver. Just because your neighbor has the time to drive you to a medical appointment doesn't mean they can front you the gas money a month while you're waiting for that reimbursement. That is a hard fact the reality of Americans budgets today.
▶ 2:19:12Um it it needs to be easier for veterans to get mileage reimbursement for their friends and their neighbors who may have the time but not the gas money to move them particularly after the closure of so many of our uh veterans facilities like in East Lewis County. That's a lot of driving. It's a lot of gas money and I hope we can make progress on the mileage reimbursement. Another thing that we've heard a lot about, um, right now only about 30% of veterans are able to use their VA home loans and they functionally cannot use their VA home loans as an owner builder.
▶ 2:19:43I would argue there's probably not a better suicide prevention model than building your own home. seeing your skills, the skills that you gained in the military perhaps manifest in a home for you and your family for generations, a relationship to our homes, not as an asset that you invest in to grow your wealth, but of something that reflects who you are because you built it yourself. We have to do the hard work of figuring out how to ensure that veterans are able to use their home loans as an owner builder.
▶ 2:20:11um affirm the agency and dignity of our veterans and their agency and building something worth having and building wealth for their families and generationally. Um while there in some there are provisions in this bill I support, I look forward to working with my colleagues to get a better bill because our veterans deserve it. I yield Thank you. Uh we now go to Mr.
▶ 2:20:35Ivy of Maryland for his opening remarks on the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the ranking member for her great work. Uh, as well, um, unfortunately, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. I want to act with some of the thoughts shared already by many of my Democratic colleagues. I have very deep concerns about this bill.
▶ 2:21:01Uh if there is one issue that should be unequivocally bipartisan, it should be taking care of those who have selflessly served our nation, our veterans. But this bill fails to do that. I represent part of Prince George's County, Maryland, right here in the National Capital Region. Not only do I represent veterans, as all of us do, but many of my constituents are also federal workers, including civil servants who work at the VA. uh Joint Base Andrews is u between my district and Congressman Hoyers.
▶ 2:21:32Um and we certainly both work hard to make sure that um what what are need what's needed there gets provided to it. Uh because that's essentially the the airport for the White House and and our nation. Um but many of my constituents have been subjected to cuts and firings that have been pushed by the president and Doge. We've already heard about the cuts uh of roughly 80,000 positions uh with respect to the VA uh cuts of roughly 6,000 veterans.
▶ 2:22:02It's a 15% reduction. And the problem with that, of course, is that um many of these people had re received excellent reviews uh for their performances, but they lost their jobs in any event. Um and I have constituents who've I've spoken with frequently. They talked about how stunned they were to have lost their positions despite their dedic dedicated uh public service and their many years of excellent performance.
▶ 2:22:29And um I think it's really unfortunate and tragic that that it would happen this way, but it also has a negative impact on the people that they're supposed to be serving. My um late father-in-law moved in with me and my wife uh after he got into his 90s and was wasn't able to take care of himself anymore. He had served in uh World War II, as was a decorated combat veteran. Um and he retired from military service, but then reinlisted for ground combat in Korea.
▶ 2:22:59And while he was living with us, I had a chance to see the challenges that um our our senior veterans uh face in part based on the injuries and wounds that they sustained during their service. And I also realized at the time that the challenges of being able to go to get those services was was uh significant. Unfortunately, this bill makes it even harder.
▶ 2:23:25And I, as I understand it, the push towards privatization would make it even more difficult for people like my father-in-law uh to receive the care that they deserve and that they earned. So, Mr. Chairman, I will not be supporting this legislation as written.
▶ 2:23:40I hope this committee can work u in a bipartisan fashion and that we can eventually come together with colleagues in the Senate to produce a piece of legislation that will best serve our veterans and give them the types of service that they deserve and that they earned. And with that, I yield back. Thank you very much. Votes have been called. The committee will now recess. Please return promptly at the conclusion of the last vote in the series so we can continue consideration of our bills.
▶ 2:24:10Thank you.
▶ 3:03:48reconvene. This is like wasted on those of you that are here. But in case anybody forgot, we cannot come back into session unless a majority of the committee is here. So when you stop time to eat before you come back, you're all you're doing is wasting everybody else's time because and believe me, I can stay here as late as anybody wants to stay. All up to you. And I said in a bipartisan sense, so we enjoy a later evening.
▶ 3:04:17Uh but we just burned about 15 or 20 minutes that you're going to get on the back end. So you might you might explain that to your colleagues that still haven't taken the time to show up. Uh, with that, are there any other members wishing to make general comments about the bill? Seeing none, uh, no members wishing to make opening comments, I'd like to recognize Chairman Carter to offer a manager's amendment.
▶ 3:04:54um caught me while I was eating a sandwich. I rise to offer a manager's amendment and includes bipartisan report includes other changes that both sides have agreed to and I urge its adoption. Miss Wman Schultz is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amend amendment contains various bipartisan and non-controversial amendments and we have no objections to it.
▶ 3:05:24Do any other members seek recognition? Do any other members seek recognition to speak on the amendment? Seeing none. I recognize Chairman Carter for one minute to close. Uh thank you. Um I Brilliantly. Yay. Most persuasive thing I've heard this evening. Uh questions on the amendment. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no.
▶ 3:05:53The opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The amendment is adopted. I now recognize Chairman Carter to offer a Republican onblock amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Excuse me. I rise to offer a Republican onblock amendment.
▶ 3:06:14It includes technical changes to the title of the of an report language on anesthesiology services at the VA, and strikes current language on IT and China and replaces it with updated language. I urge its adop adoption, Mr. Washington. Michelle is recognized.
▶ 3:06:45Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. This is an unnecessary amendment and it simply intends to create divisions where there should be none. I don't understand the focus on removing any mention of the word diversity from anywhere within the federal government. It is a shame that even the word diversity is a partisan issue.
▶ 3:07:07Inserting culture war debates only serves to take us further from bipartisan compromise and closer to a repeat of the FY25 Republican fullyear CR. Do we really not care about diversity? Do we think there should be only one type of thought? Do we think there should be only one type of person making decisions or having federal resources benefit them?
▶ 3:07:35Unfortunately, there is one side of this committee that does seem to think that and it is revolting. In fact, there's already language in this bill, for example, dealing with the purchase of equipment from Chinese public industries. We we should be avoiding the a repeat of the FY25 Republican fullyear CR. This amendment does nothing to improve services for our veterans.
▶ 3:08:03It does nothing to ensure our VA facilities are adequately resourced to deliver the best care for our veterans or address military family housing suffering from systemic issues and inadequate oversight. There are so many issu issues that we do agree on within the Milcon VA subcommittee which we we should be focused on instead to bring this bill closer to an agreement instead of what this amendment does which brings us further apart. I oppose this amendment. Urge my colleagues to join me and let's get back to making sure that we focus on the mission of this subcommittee. I yield back.
▶ 3:08:33Thank you. Mr. Moore of West Virginia is recognized to speak on the It's a Republican on Blanc amendment. I don't know what the number is. There's no number. It's an on. There's a lot of paper. It may be on down there. I believe it's Carter number two. Mr.
▶ 3:08:59Cham gentle lady have a copy. It's all right. I don't think they'll Gentle A's got a copy. We'll proceed with debate. Gentleman from West Virginia, Mr. Moore is recognized.
▶ 3:09:29Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, just want to briefly touch on the um procurement restrictions on Chinese IT equipment. Uh, section 416 of this legislation I think is a good start uh to ensure the taxpayer dollars. This committee appropriates doesn't go to buying Chinese tech. And I'm grateful for the chairman's leadership on this critical issue.
▶ 3:09:52Uh the friendly amendment uh that I've offered in this onblock amendment would tighten that language by tying procurement restrictions to specific lists from the Department of Defense, Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security as well as the Weaguer Forced Labor Prevention Act. This gives clear standards that VA procurement officers can rely on.
▶ 3:10:14The language mirrors language included in the Senate FY25 mil VA bill at the request of then Senator Marco Rubio. Uh the CCP poses an existential threat. My amendment ensures we are not using taxpayer dollars to bolster the tech industrial base and protects veterans uh from potential cyber security threats from Chinese equipment. I urge my colleagues to support the onblock amendment and I thank the chairman for the time. I yield back. Thank you very much.
▶ 3:10:43Do any other members seek recognition to speak on the onblanc amendment? Oh, thank you. The gentleman from Ohio, Mr. Joyce, recognized speak on the amendment. Thank you, Chairman Cole. Uh, I support the NB block amendment as a whole, but I did want to take this opportunity to emphasize and read my concern about one provision included here as it relates to the anesthesia care for the VA.
▶ 3:11:11I want to remind the committee that the certified registered nurse necessists or CN CRNAs are fully trained and qualified to provide this kind of care for veterans and they already do provided for active duty military service members. In fact, 49 states do not require physician anesthesiology supervision of CRNAs recognizing that they are fully capable of providing safe anesthesia care to pay to patients.
▶ 3:11:37The shortage of anesthesia providers at Veterans Health Administration drives up costs and delays access to care for patients. The VA should be allowing CRNAs to practice to the full extent of their training to ensure that we are delivering better and faster care to our nation's veterans. I oppose this report language included in the onblock amendment to the extent that it would may be interpreted imply that CRNAs should be prevented from providing this care to veterans or that allowing in full practice authority would somehow lead to lower quality care.
▶ 3:12:07We should reject that suggestion and continue to uh Will the gentleman yield when you're second your sentence and support and support our nursing workforce utilizing all of their training so they continue to provide highquality care across the country including for veterans who bravely risk their lives for our country. I I yield at this Thank you. Um I I just wanted to really express similar concerns about this provision in the amendment.
▶ 3:12:36Um, I mean there is a real challenge with ensuring consistent and high quality care among veterans and I mean we certainly want to have high quality care when it comes to anesthesia, but we we have to make sure that that care is consistent, that the qualifications and standards apply no matter where you are in the state.
▶ 3:12:55And it concerns me that this is another step towards the potential privatization at the VA because if you have a if you are going to statebystate standards for anesthesiology, then we are moving in that in the direction of the privatization of care rather than standardization that ensures that every veteran no matter where they are has the same quality service from their anesthesiologist. August.
▶ 3:13:25Thank you for Thank the gentleman for yielding. Well, I respectfully disagree uh ranking ranking member. Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. Thank you very much. Does anybody else care to any other members care to speak on debate? Gentle lady from Illinois. Gentle lady from Illinois. You okay? Do any other members wish to speak on the onblock amendment? Seeing none, I recognize Chairman Carter for one minute to close.
▶ 3:13:58I agree. I agree with my colleague. We want to make sure our veterans have the best of possible care and um I think mainly what we're trying to do here is uh just make sure that's what we're doing. Uh so I urges Gentleman's recognized.
▶ 3:14:31I know Dr. Harris has an amendment coming up number three. Is that related to this one? You don't have an amendment. Just report. We have report language on your amendment. That's all we have. Report language, not an amendment. Okay. Can I ask the gentleman uh how does the converge with or differ from the language that is in the uh report language?
▶ 3:15:02Gentleman from Maryland's recognized respond if he cares. Actually, I was asking Mr. Joyce. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just said Mr. Harris. Gentleman from Ohio's recognized to respond to the question. Uh thank you, chairman.
▶ 3:15:18uh the language is would appear to be detriment as a co-chair of the nursing caucus uh you know it appears to be detrimental to the uh progress that CRNAs have made of being allowed to uh use the full potential of their education and training and to deferring to just being doctors only who can do that in some states allow it and some states do not but in states where it's allowed we are emphasizing that we think that it should be permitted to be allowed to permit to
▶ 3:15:48act the full scope of their services. Okay. So, to clarify that with the gentleman Oh, I guess I'm yielding. Uh if the gentleman will uh also tell me perhaps Dr. Harris can as well. Does your language change the impact of the report It it doesn't necessarily change.
▶ 3:16:13I think it it just tries to u describe there shouldn't be the nursing uh uh folks for the CRNH should not be deemed not qualified to perform those services when in fact in many states they are qualified to perform those services and I was just trying to read into the language you can understand that there are CRNAs doing this type of work in different states throughout the country to the full scope of their education and
▶ 3:16:44And this just I understand anesthesiologist and as a former anesthesiologist I understand Dr. Harris may want to talk about this but I wanted to just bring up and highlight the fact that these nurses are allowed to do this in many states and this language should not be interpreted to say they are not qualified to do that. I got you. I'll yield to Dr.
▶ 3:17:05If the gentleman if the gentleman yield just for 30 minutes, I certainly will yield, but I'm going to take this opportunity to say had everybody been here at 5:45 instead of making a lot of your colleagues wait, we would not be rushed. We have a 6:15 uh agreed upon recess and we will finish this amendment before the recess. Then we will recess immediately. Got to recognize just 15 seconds. Look, the the language in the manager's amendment just keeps things the way they are at the at the VA. It works.
▶ 3:17:33The vacancy rate is less than 3% for both nurses and anesthesiologists. There's no problem. It doesn't need to be fixed. It just keeps it the way it is. Yield back. Thank you very much. Is there any additional questions or members wishing to speak? I I just would like a point of clarification.
▶ 3:17:51So to be as simple as possible about it, this is get gets in the middle of the nurse and ethicist privileges and and practice standards and the anesthesiologist fight that is continuing at the VA. Um, how does this affect that? Mr. Dr.
▶ 3:18:11Harris just said it leaves things status quo, which my understanding is means that anesthesiologists at the VA are supervisory and nurse anesthetists do not have the ability to practice independently without their supervision at the VA. Is that correct? Gentleman from Ohio's recognized to answer the question or Dr. Harris, whoever knows the answer. Or Dr.
▶ 3:18:38Harris, I just I was just trying to clarify the fact that their nurses this language should not be deemed in any way uh impuging the integrity of those nurses who uh CRNAs who are uh able to perform these services throughout the state and the fact that the VA does not want to employ them or or is highlighting that they want to keep the status quo, so be it.
▶ 3:19:06They're opening up practices and doing these things throughout the country in the states in which they're allowed. Are nurse would the gentleman yield or whoever has the mind? I might have the time. Um are nurse anesthetists able to practice at the VA with this language in the end block. If it passes, it keeps the situation exactly where it is.
▶ 3:19:29In some locations where there are no anesthesiologists, nurses do practice independently in the VA system, but where there are, they practice under the direction of supervision. So it just maintains the way it is in the VA system. Okay. And my understanding is that nurse and ethicists don't like that. So it just so we understand that this is this is a you know practice fight. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Thank you very much.
▶ 3:19:57Um there any additional questions? If not, the question is on the amendment. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair. The eyes have it. Roll call. Roll call has been requested. All those in favor of recorded, you raise your hands, please. More than sufficient. A recorded vote is ordered.
▶ 3:20:26The clerk will call the role. Mr. Adterholt. Mr. Adder Halt. I Mr. Aguilar. No. Mr. Agular. Nay. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. I. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Amade. I Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. I. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. No. Mr. Calbertt. I Mr. Calvert. I Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. I Mr. Casease. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. I Mr. Klene.
▶ 3:20:57Mr. Klene. I Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. I Mr. Klyurn. No. Mr. Klyburn. No. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. I Mr. Cole. I. Mr. Cole. I. Mr. Quayar. Mr. Quayar. No. Miss Dean. Miss Dean. No. Miss Deloro. No. M. Deloro. No. Mr. Diaz Bolard. Hi. Mr. Diaz Bolard. I. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. I. Mr. Elie. Mr. Mr.
▶ 3:21:25LZ I Miss Escobar Miss Escobar No Mr. Espayot Mr. Espayot no Mr. Flashman Mr. Flashman I Miss Frankle Miss Frankle no Mr. Franklin Mr. Franklin I Mr. Gonzalez Mr. Guest Mr. Guest I Mr. Harter Mr. Harter no Dr. Harris Dr. Harris I Mrs.
▶ 3:21:53Henson Mrs. Henson. I Mr. Hoyer. No. Mr. Hoyer. No. Mr. Ivy. No. Mr. Ivy. No. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. I Miss Captor. No. Miss Captor. No. Mr. Loa. I. Mr. Loa. I. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. No. Miss Llo. Hi. Miss Llo. I Mr. Levan. No. Mr.
▶ 3:22:23Lean. No. Miss Malloy. Miss Mallaloy. I Miss McCullum. Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. No. Miss Ming. No. Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. I Mr. Moore. Hi. Mr. Moore. I Mr. Morelli. No. Mr. Morelli. No. Mr. Mvin. No. Mr. Mvin. No. Mr. New House. Mr. New House. I. Miss. Perez. No. Miss. Perez. No. Miss Pingri.
▶ 3:22:53No Miss Pingri. No Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. No, Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. No, Mr. Rashenthaler. Mr. Rashenthaler. I Mr. Rogers. Hi, Mr. Rogers. I Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford. I Mr. Simpson. Hi, Mr. Simpson. I Mr. Strong, I. Mr. Strong, I Mrs. Torres, Mrs. Torres, no. Miss Underwood, no. Miss Underwood, no. Mr. Valado, Mr. Mr. Valado.
▶ 3:23:23I Miss Wasserman Schultz. No. Miss Washerman Schultz. No. Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. No. Mr. Wac. Mr. WAC. I Mr. Zinci. I. Mr. Zinci. I. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentle lady from Minnesota is recognized. No. Gentleman from Hawaii is recognized.
▶ 3:23:53Mr. Case. No. If any other member wish to record or change their vote, the clerk if not the clerk will tally.
▶ 3:24:42On this vote, the eyes are 34, the nose are 28. The amendment is adopted. We will move immediately into recess. Uh we will reconvene at 7:15 or as quickly as a quorum assembles. I would ask you that you get back here at 7:15 if you possibly can. Thank you very much. We're in recess.
▶ 4:23:00The committee will reconvene and the gentle lady from Connecticut, the ranking members recognized for an amendment. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. Mr. Laur, clerk will read the amendment. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed without objection. the reading of the amendments dispensed with and the members recognized for remarks on the amendment.
▶ 4:23:23This amendment would create a new program that would compensate veterans for the harmful impacts of this administration's trade war. The World Bank's latest global report forecasts that the United States will face the biggest downgrade in economic output, slowing to 1.4% from 2.8% last year, nearly a full point below their January estimate.
▶ 4:23:47The amendment provides $100 million to reimburse veteran farmers, veteran small business owners, veteran construction workers, and many others who have lost wages and profits because of this administration's reckless, chaotic, and confusing uh tariff policies.
▶ 4:24:06As these tariffs are implemented, Americans will face higher costs and job losses as manufacturers and retailers that rely on imported materials are forced to decide between cutting labor cost or lowering production. President Trump's chaotic tariffs are hurting veteran farmers. In a recent study from USDA, the US had over 300,000 producers who served or were serving in the military. These tariffs also hurt small business owners.
▶ 4:24:33There are approximately two and a half million veteranowned businesses in America, which represents nearly one in 10 US businesses. Tariffs lead to higher materials and construction costs, increasing the cost of military construction projects, which support our service members. The Trump administration enacted across the board 10% tariffs on imports and 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports this year.
▶ 4:24:59According to the Tax Foundation, Trump's tariffs are the largest tax hike since 1993. This amendment seeks to provide relief to our veterans, those who volunteered to protect not only our freedoms, but our economy and our way of life. By allowing veterans to seek reimbursement for the losses they incurred due to this administration's reckless policies, we can ensure that those who defended us in war continue to also remain the backbone of our economy. I urge you to support this amendment.
▶ 4:25:30Thank you. Uh, gentleman from Texas, Chairman Carter, is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. This is not a genuine attempt to assist veterans. This is a stunt to talk about tariffs and somehow tie try to tie their impacts on veterans. This program was designed out of thin air.
▶ 4:25:59The amendment also creates new spending with no offset. Further evidence of its lack of seriousness. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Thank you very much. Gentle lady from Florida. The ranking member of the subcommittee is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to the gentle lady's amendment. This amendment would excuse me. I rise in support of the gentle lady's amendment.
▶ 4:26:28No disrespect to the gentle lady. Took me back for a second. Yeah, sorry about that. And it's only 7:25. Okay. So, I rise in support of the gentle lady's amendment. Um that would create a new program to protect veterans from the harmful impact of this administration's tariffs. It's not a stunt. Um these tariffs are have a re very real and harmful impact. This administration's tariff policy, if you can call it a policy, has already had a destructive impact on our economy.
▶ 4:26:58While President Trump may want to falsely claim who will pay these tariffs, any economist or business leader will say that it's the American people who will pay. And let's call tariffs what they truly are, taxes on the American people. The chaotic and ad hoc tariff decision-making this administration is implementing only leads to uncertainty and fear.
▶ 4:27:17When there's uncertainty in the economy and we don't know what the tariff policy will be next week, next hour, tomorrow, let alone next month, businesses raise prices and are unable to plan. These tariffs will make goods more expensive and businesses in my district that rely on imports will feel the pain. I represent a district that is essentially on the gateway to Latin America. So, we will disproportionately feel that pain.
▶ 4:27:41With many veterans on fixed incomes, this rise in costs will force veterans to spend more of their income and benefits while receiving less. That is unacceptable. We need to do everything we can to minimize the impact of these tariffs on our constituents, particularly our veterans, which is I why I support this amendment. Yel back. Thank gentle lady. The gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Bishop is recognized to speak on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am in strong support of this amendment proposed by ranking member Deloro.
▶ 4:28:12Uh it provides critical relief to veteran farmers and small business owners, both of which comprise a great deal of my home district in Georgia, whether in southwest Georgia or elsewhere. These tariffs hurt rural hardworking Americans.
▶ 4:28:29The tariffs imposed by this administration have increased the cost of doing business for producers by raising prices on goods such as fertilizer and machinery resource resources that are vital to our These rising costs have created an unsustainable environment, especially for smallcale farmers who lack the financial buffer and institutional support available to larger agricultural
▶ 4:29:00Compounding this burden is the constant uncertainty over trade policy, tariff percentages, counter tariffs, which make it nearly impossible to project for the future. I've heard directly from veteran farmers in my district who are struggling to keep their operations running and I have a feeling I'm not the only one in this room on the receiving end of these kinds of messages. Our veteran farmers and small business owners don't want handouts.
▶ 4:29:30They are hardworking Americans trying to provide for their families and contribute meaningfully to our economy. They've served their country once in uniform and now they're serving again by feeding our communities. We owe them our support. This amendment is necessary to help offset the harmful effects that the tariffs have caused and ensure that our veteran farmers and small business owners receive the resources they need to make sure they make it to the other side of this economic tsunami.
▶ 4:30:01I fully support this amendment and I urge my colleagues to support and to stand with our veteran farmers and small business owners who are the cornerstone of our rural economies. That I yield back and urge the adoption of the amendment. Thank the gentleman. Gentle lady from Texas, Miss Escobar is recognized to speak to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I wholeheartedly support this amendment and encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.
▶ 4:30:30The ranking members amendment would provide $51.7 billion in advanced mandatory funding to the toxic exposure fund which was established as the historic pact to provide critical health benefits expansions for our veterans who suffered toxic exposures during their time in military service. In short, it's not the it's the tariff amendment. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Okay.
▶ 4:31:00In short, for veterans at home watching, this amendment keeps our promise to you. It is unacceptable that these advanced funds were not already made available in the base bill, especially considering it was included in the president's request. Can I interrupt the gentle lady for It's only 7:15. That's right. I'm with you. I'm with you on what advanced funding. Sorry. My apologies. I yield back. Thank you. We'll remember that.
▶ 4:31:31We've recorded it. Are there other members who wish to speak to the Seeing none, if there's no further debate, the gentle lady is recognized for one minute to close. Okay. I want to say thank you to my colleagues who have risen in support, I want to just say that in fact it this is not a stunt.
▶ 4:31:51uh you have farmers and small businesses who are veterans and who are going to suffer because of the rise uh in uh in in tariffs and that the fact that there is no offset u with all due respect Judge Carter we do not have a top line and so we do not have any idea what we are marking to or not marking to so it it certainly doesn't require an offset if we don't have any idea of what the topline budget is you've heard this administration's trade wars have led to higher costs for everyone including including our veterans.
▶ 4:32:22The amendment makes sure that we continue to protect our veteran farmers, small business owners, all those who are uh impacted by high tariff policies. I urge your support for the amendment and I yield Thank you very much. Any other Well, that was to close, so evidently not. Uh the questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Connecticut. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No.
▶ 4:32:50The opinion of the chair, the nose have it. Recorded vote has been requested. All those in favor raise their hands. Sufficient number having raised their hands. Um, a recorded vote is ordered and the clerk will call the role. Mr. Adder Holt, Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Alfred, Mr. Alfred, no. Mr. Ammeday, Mr. Ammeday, no. Mrs. Bice, Mrs. Bice, no. Mr. Bishop.
▶ 4:33:21Yes. Mr. Bishop. I Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Calver. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klene. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyurn. Yes. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Miss Dean.
▶ 4:33:52Miss Deloro. I. Mr. Deloro. I Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elzie. Mr. Elzie. No. Miss Escobar. Yes. Miss Escobar. I Mr. Espayot. Miss Escobar. I. Mr. Espay. Hi. Mr. Espay. I. Mr. Flashman. Mr. Flashman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss Frankle I Mr. Franklin Mr. Franklin no Mr.
▶ 4:34:23Mr. Guest Mr. Guest no Mr. Harter Mr. Harter I Dr. Harris Mrs. Henson Mrs. Henson no Mr. Hoyer Mr. Ivy Mr. Ivy I Mr. Joyce Miss Captor Miss Captor I Mr. Loa no Mr. Loa, no. Miss Lee, Miss Lee, I Miss Lello.
▶ 4:34:54Mr. Lean, I Mr. Levven, I Miss Mallaloy, Miss Malloy, no Miss McCullum. I Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Hi. Mr. Morelli I Mr. Murvan I Mr. Mvan I Mr. New House Mr.
▶ 4:35:22New House no Miss Perez Miss Perez I Miss Pingri I Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Rashenthaler Mr. Rashenthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Rutherford Mr. Rutherford no Mr. Simpson Mr. Simpson no Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. I Miss Underwood. Mrs. Underwood.
▶ 4:35:52I Mr. Valado. Mr. Valido. No. Miss Washerman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Watson. Mrs. Watson Coleman. Yes. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I. Mr. Wac. Mr. Wac. No. Mr. Zinci. No. Mr. Zinci. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from Maryland.
▶ 4:36:22Dr. Harris. No. Gentle lady from Louisiana. No. Miss Lllo. No. Gentleman from Ohio. No. Mr. Joyce. No. Gentleman gentle lady, excuse me, from Pennsylvania. I. Miss Dean. I. Gentleman from California. Mr. Aguular.
▶ 4:36:41I again are there any others wishing to change or record their Seeing none, the uh clerk will tally On
▶ 4:37:33this vote, the eyes are 26, the nose are 33. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or Mr. Cloud is recognized for an
▶ 4:38:04Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have an amendment that should be It is to insert $3.5 million under child development. Hang on. There's an amendment at the desk. The clerk will read the amendment. But you could of course of course asked that that reading be suspended. I move that the reading be suspended. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with. The members recognized for remarks on his amendment. Thank you.
▶ 4:38:33Although although the amendment's only two sentences. So, um, House Report 118528 for the 2025 milconvier appropriations bill recognize the infrastructure needs at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in its military construction, Navy and Marine Corps section.
▶ 4:38:54And it says, "The committee urges the Navy to address the needs of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, particularly as it relates to construction and other improvements for the accompanied family housing, child and youth development centers, quality of life projects, uh, and quality life projects. Furthermore, this desire was repeated in the latest house report regarding the FY26 bill.
▶ 4:39:18Uh and I I do want to thank the chair uh the chair of the committee and the subcommittee for for the work in in getting that done. Uh went on to say the committee recognizes the unique importance of the naval aviation training enterprise and is alarmed at the number of poor facilities that the Navy identified in its November 9th, 2023 report to Congress.
▶ 4:39:39Uh we've been working for about a year and a half to try to get funding to this uh child development center at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi. As you know, it's a place where Navy pilots start out and their income isn't uh very high and there's not a a facility nearby for them to be able to to house their kids.
▶ 4:40:00Um, I recently had a meeting with Vice Admiral Gray, commander of the naval instations about the need to improve the child development center at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. He recommended the 1 million in funding for planning and design for the CDC. Uh, and now we've been told by the committee that the funding needed to be increased two and a half million to three to three and a half million because of uh particular rule in place. So, this childhood development is very small. It's very outdated.
▶ 4:40:30It's in dire need of modernization. And of course, there's a wait list. Furthermore, there's no federally regulated or operated child care facility within a 50-mi radius of the Naval Air Station. So, vouchers are not a viable option. And as you know, I know we all want to ensure that family of our service members are well taken care of. Uh whether that's 1 million to design this or the three and a half million that we were told we needed to. uh it's a small amount in regards of what we need to do for our service members.
▶ 4:41:00Uh we've tried to get this through and I've submitted it in times past and I've completely told that because of rules that we've put in place that we are not able to do this and as I regarded last or as I mentioned last year that if this was any other facility for anyone else other than our servicemen and not on a base this would be a very easy thing to do. uh and certainly would have passed.
▶ 4:41:26Uh but we have tied our own hands and we've complained about our hands being tied and and not able to deal with this situation. So I've submitted his amendment and would urge passage of it to make sure that our servicemen and women are able to make sure that their kids are taken care of. Thank you and I yield back. Thank gentlemen. Chairman Carter is recognized for response to the Mr. Chairman, Thank you.
▶ 4:41:55I reluctantly rise in opposition to the amendment. We have an established process with longstanding guidance. This amendment does not follow that process. I will continue to work with the member. We have worked with him a lot and tried to explain this.
▶ 4:42:18I will work in trying to get him on the respective lists but as submitted, I cannot support the I reluctantly urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. Thank you, gentle lady from Florida. The ranking member of the subcommittee is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 4:42:40I uh associate myself with uh the chairman's remarks and sympathize because each of us has a legitimate tale of woe about various projects that we would like to have had leap to the top of the lists and the process can be frustrating in the milcon um side of our bill.
▶ 4:43:04um trying to insert this as an amendment is um an inappropriate and uh um not an unworkable uh approach to achieving this as worthy as the project might be. And so um I uh sympathetically oppose it. Are there any other members wishing to speak to the amendment?
▶ 4:43:34Uh there's no further debate. The gentleman's recognized for one minute to close. Thank you. And and I appreciate that. Uh since last year in this committee when we try to work on this issue and and again I appreciate both the chairman and chairman of the subcommittee and I I'll just say to to Judge Carter, you and your office have been tremendously helpful to ours over the years for an infinite number of projects. So uh but this is this is an issue where following last year's committee, we worked to get it on the FEP.
▶ 4:44:02the Navy was supportive of it and then the Navy had worked with committee to find another way to do it uh and to get it done. Uh and then that was the plan up till three or four days ago when our office got word from the committee that that was not going to happen and not be allowed and and so we've been trying to find a solution since then to try to solve this. And so this is the only solution left uh at at the moment is to offer this amendment. So, it's not for lack of effort. It's not for lack of working the process on our part.
▶ 4:44:32Uh we've done everything we can. The Navy has been supportive of it. Uh and like I said, I met with the admiral over facilities just two weeks ago and they're tremendously supportive of it and uh I yield back. Thank you. Thank you very much. Chair recognized himself. just to make a quick comment to my friend from Texas.
▶ 4:44:52I want to associate myself with your concerns and certainly with the chairman and uh we'll be working to try and be helpful uh in resolving this issue in a satisfactory way. Uh the questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nose have it and the amendment is not adopted. You're welcome.
▶ 4:45:27Thank you. Are there further amendments? Gentle lady from Connecticut is The amendments. Amendment at the desk. Delaro number two. Okay. The amendments at the desk. The clerk will read the amendment. I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with. The member is recognized for remarks on her amendment.
▶ 4:45:56This amendment would transfer $3 million from VA's general administration account to the Veterans Benefits Administration to administer the Veterans Affairs Service Purchasing Program that this administration has recklessly canled. The Veterans The veterans affair servicing purchase uh program was started to meet a need during and after COVID.
▶ 4:46:24Veterans were facing foreclosure at alarming rates, leaving many veterans homeless and without shelter. The Biden administration recognized this and in May of 2024 created the VAST program to help our heroes keep their homes. In its first year, this program helped over 17,000 veterans avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes.
▶ 4:46:47Yet, as one of his first actions, VA Secretary Collins can this program with less than two weeks notice without consulting veterans, veteran service organizations, or mortgage companies. This amendment would restore this program, provide a dedicated funding stream to hire a dedicated staff, and make sure that veterans fighting to keep their homes have a resource they can access. Making sure that our veterans keep their homes should not be controversial. This is the bare minimum we can do for those who have served this country.
▶ 4:47:17We are in a cost of living crisis and under President Trump's watch, housing costs continue to rise, costs for basic necessities continue to rise and food costs are going up. Supporting this amendment is one way to ensure that our veterans are able to keep their heads above water. I urge you to support this amendment. Thank you very much. Chairman Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment.
▶ 4:47:48This is another program that had good but the prior administration let it run wild and it became unsustainable. As designed, the program also was but the has the unintended consequence of having a borrower deliberately miss a payment to qualify for this program and a lower rate. I fully support improving the loss mitigation programs for our veterans.
▶ 4:48:19However, this one is misguided and I know legislation is moving that would responsibly provide loss mitigation options for those struggling on their mortgage. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. Thank you very much. The gentle lady from Florida, the ranking member of the subcommittee is recognized to respond to the amendment. I rise in Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 4:48:44I rise in support of this critical amendment that ensures that we do not make veteran homelessness even worse than it already is. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 13% of homeless adults are veterans. Yet, veterans make up only 6% of the American public. As inflation grows and this administration's economic policies drive prices higher, we need to ensure that veterans can continue to afford to keep their homes and remained housed.
▶ 4:49:10Not sure what the chairman means by this program has gone wild. I mean, I guess wildly successful in keeping veterans in their homes is is one way we could interpret it. That's certainly how I would interpret it. Um, the Biden administration started the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase Program for a reason because there was a need. And what has this administration, what has the current administration done for this successful program? Cancel it purely for political retribution.
▶ 4:49:39There is no plan or backs stop in place to help veterans who are facing foreclosure with this administration. Until the Trump administration can figure out how it wants to address this problem and protect veterans ability to keep their homes, we should be keeping the VASP program in place. Thank you to Ranking Member Deluro for offering this amendment and I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back. I ask would you would you yield for to me for just a moment to for me to clarify? I will unyield.
▶ 4:50:06This program, this program was designed for 100 people and right now the estimated cost of the program is billion dollars. So that's that's quite a bit different than what um reclaiming my time. I I that's what I said. Don't know where the chairman is getting those numbers from. That that is preposterous that this program was designed to help a hundred people and cost $17 billion. That that's simply not it doesn't the 17 people don't cost $und00 billion.
▶ 4:50:35It's what it is resulted meaning well I'm sorry what the way it's being operated um and the operation is is what the problem is. If you just default on your mortgage for one month you qualify. Okay. I I don't know where you're getting where I'm not sure where the chairman's getting his facts from, but that's quite far from my understanding of how helpful this program has been.
▶ 4:50:59um and proportionately so when it comes to the number of veterans that are participants and how many people have been able to remain in their homes. Um I'd love to see the information that and the data that the that the chairman is describing um from a credible source and again I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Now I yield back. Gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Bishop is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you Mr.
▶ 4:51:25Chairman, and let me just say I I rise in strong support of the amendment that's proposed by ranking member Delaro. It affords our veteran population the ability to hold on to that dignity and their basic needs, housing. Uh the economy is proving to be volatile and uncertain. on top of the tariffs which has increased the cost of basic needs, food, housing, transportation, school supplies, medical supplies.
▶ 4:51:54This amendment provides an avenue for a small population of our veterans who've experienced hardship, the ability to keep their house, and relieve the stress of providing for themselves and their families. We already know the concerns surrounding veteran homelessness. That's why there are provisions in the bill to address those concerns. Not supporting this amendment will likely add to that already large population of homeless veterans.
▶ 4:52:23Supporting this amendment is a proactive actionable step to address veteran homelessness. administrations and Secretary Collins abrupt cancellation of this program was shortsighted and concerning uh pennywise pound foolish.
▶ 4:52:45Uh the VA servicing purchasing program is crucial for veterans who are facing financial hardship and it helps them to avoid foreclosure. I urge the adoption of this amendment. It's a good amendment. It's good for our veterans and it's good the fight against homelessness. I yield back, Mr. Thank you. Or do other members wish to address the amendment?
▶ 4:53:15There's no further debate. Uh the gentle lady from Connecticut's recognized for one minute to close. here we go. Um, let me just say this from a public report. Since its launch on May 31st, 2024, VASP has saved over 17,000 veterans and their families from losing their homes, which is something ISO stated uh in in in my remarks.
▶ 4:53:42This amendment and the prior amendment I offered are about cost of living. Cost of living. People are living paycheck to paycheck these days. Veterans are living paycheck to paycheck. and you're looking at the highest number of suicide rates amongst veterans. And now you're going to deal with them being uh homeless uh and without without being able to deal uh with with shelter. So the 17,000 is the number of veterans that have been able to avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes.
▶ 4:54:12My colleagues on the other side, yeah, I love to take pictures with veterans. As our former colleague and chair of this committee, David Obi, would say, you're posing for holy pictures. It's uh really let's move on action rather than uh just taking a photograph. This amendment helps veterans who are struggling with rising costs keep their homes. Our veterans earned their home loan guarantee benefit. They deserve a viable pathway to manage their payments, keep their homes. Secretary Collins failed to consult with veterans, veteran service organizations, and other experts.
▶ 4:54:42We have not. Former VA leaders, veteran service organizations, housing organizations have shared with the Congress their concern about ending the vast program too soon. All have testified that the program is the only program of its kind that currently exists as a quote last resort for veterans facing foreclosure. If this committee does not take action, these veterans will be left out in the cold. I urge your support for the amendment and I yield back. Will you yield? I'm happy to yield, judge. Thank you very much.
▶ 4:55:12reading from the same assume the same starting with what you said, in fact this it starts up in the in the paragraph above the report. It says that WASP was launched in 24 designed to allow the VA to purchase delinquent loans and restructure them to a more manageable terms with a fixed 2.5 interest rate.
▶ 4:55:43The program intended offered relief to thousands of veterans during the time of the economic uncertainty. In fact, since it was its launch in May 31st of 2024, VASP has served over 17,000 veterans and their families from losing their homes. That's what you just said.
▶ 4:56:05But the VA now argues that the program, especially at the scale it has reached, exceeds its legal authority, initially intended as a means as of last resort and designed for fewer than 100 cases, the Biden administration supercharged WASP. To date, the program has purchased over 17,000 loans at a cost of 4 5.4 4 billion.
▶ 4:56:36Future projections forecast issuance up to 60,000 veterans with a cost of 17 billion as a projected cost. Okay. Thank you for ying. I would appreciate the opportunity Mr. Chair chairman call to respond uh to this. I think lady is certainly recognized to do that. After that we'll talk a little bit how we're going to proceed but there's certainly fine. I I I ap you you know I want happy to yield to the gentleman.
▶ 4:57:04Um but uh I I those are quite frankly the administration's talking points and the v the the administration's VA and Secretary Collins for cancing the program. For us I believe we ought to listen to the uh uh uh VA leaders, the veteran services organizations, all of the housing organizations that have shared their views and their concern about the ending of this program and what it means.
▶ 4:57:30It is the only program of its kind that serves as a last resort for veterans who are facing foreclosure, which is one of the reasons why I would transfer 3 million from the VA's general account to the VA benefit administration to be able to administer this program. Uh, and it was a reckless cancellation of this program.
▶ 4:57:51And I I I I uh you know I'm happy to look at the data that you've spoken about, Judge Carter, but it is the Trump VA uh rationale for eliminating this program and not coming from veterans or veteran services Thank you, Mr. Chair. I urge my colleagues to vote for the amendment. Thank you very much. Just uh going forward, we're all a little bit rusty. So uh and that was a valuable exchange and useful information.
▶ 4:58:19I would just ask that when you're participating in debate, you do it and once I recognize a member to close going forward, we're going to close at that point. Uh just so this doesn't get out of hand. But again, I certainly have no problem. It was a good exchange and was helpful to the committee. Um uh the questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Connecticut. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nose have it. Roll call.
▶ 4:58:50Roll call has been requested. Few more hands. Okay, everybody's hands up, guys. Yep. A lot easier that way. Then they don't have to count. They're just all up there. They're all up. So, u again, recorded votes been requested and uh you know, sufficient number of hands having raised the uh recorded vote is ordered. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Adder Holt, no. Mr. Adder Holt, no. Mr. Aguilar, I. Mr. Mr. Aguular. I Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No.
▶ 4:59:20Mr. Amade. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Ciscomani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klene. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde, no. Mr. Cole, no. Mr. Cole, no. Mr. Quayar, I Mr.
▶ 4:59:51Quayar, I Miss Dean, Miss Dean, I. Mr. Deloro, I. Mr. Loro, I Mr. Diaz Bolard, Mr. Diaz Bolard, no Mr. Edwards, Mr. Edwards, no. Mr. Ellie, Mr. Ellie, no. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I, Mr. Espott. Mr. Espat, I. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss Frankle. I, Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No.
▶ 5:00:21Mr. Harter. Mr. Harter. I Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Joyce. No. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. I. Miss Lee. I Miss Lllo Miss Lllo No Mr. Leven Mr.
▶ 5:00:49Leven I Miss Malloy Miss Mallaloy No Miss McCollum Miss McCullum I miss Ming Miss Ming I Mr. Molinar Mr. Molinar no Miss Mr. Moore Mr. Moore no Mr. Morelli I Mr. Morelli I Mr. Mvan I Mr. Morvan I Mr. New House Mr. Mr. New House. No. Miss Perez. I Miss Perez. I Miss Pingri. Miss Pingri. I Mr. Pokean. Miss Mr. Pokean. I Mr. Quigley.
▶ 5:01:19Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Russianthaler. Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford. No. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Miss. Torres. Mrs. Torres. Hi. Mrs. Torres. I. Miss. Underwood. I. Miss. Underwood. I. Mr. Valado, no. Mr. Valido, no. Miss Washerman Schultz, hi. Miss Wasserman Schultz, I Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mrs. Watson Coleman, I. Mr.
▶ 5:01:49Wac, Mr. Wac, no. Mr. Zinci, no. Mr. Zinci, no. Clerk will tally.
▶ 5:02:42On this vote, the eyes are 27, the nose are 35. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or discussion? Mr. Cloud is recognized for an amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise again with a concern about Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. We had asked for amendment at the desk. Yes. Sorry. We have an amendment at the desk. Okay. Going to have to get back in habit here. My apologies.
▶ 5:03:13I have an amendment at the desk. Clerks has uh instructed to read the amendment, but of course you could always object. You can wave dispense with that. Suspense with the reading. Okay. There's no objection. Without objection. The reading the amendment's dispensed with. the members recognized for remarks on his amendment. Thank you again chairman. Uh once again a concern with the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. We had asked for 9 million in unspecified funding for quality of service projects that the Naval Air Station could direct funds to.
▶ 5:03:42Uh specifically this would be after Hurricane Harvey. Uh the marina was destroyed there that the pilots took advantage of. The childhood development center of course needs to be uh designed that I had mentioned previously. Also notably there's a wings auditorium that had opened in 1941. That year might seem uh might be a mark in people's memories. It closed in 2017.
▶ 5:04:07This is where a number of pilots who serve our Navy who've gone through the program had used to get their wings including people like George HW Bush the youngest naval pilot ever or Barbara an Allen who became the first female Navy aator. Since then it's hollowed out uh unable to be used along with barracks that are abandoned because this naval air station has been overlooked.
▶ 5:04:34Uh I have asked for 9 million so that the base commanders could work on beginning the repair on these projects. Again, appropriations committee said this was this is committee staff said it was ineligible because it didn't meet the percentage shelf requirement rule set by the DoD, not by our committee but by OD DoD.
▶ 5:04:56However, this shelf requirement only refers to projects being completed under the DD19 1391 form per our conversations with DoD. This form is not used for unspecified funding projects. Therefore, the 9 million should be able to proceed. And I would also bring up the fact that we are the article one branch and DoD is supposed to we're supposed to have authority over them and their rules. While they should inform us, we certainly want the Pentagon's input on what we do.
▶ 5:05:26This is a citizen-led military and we should have the ability as our voice to the ground, connecting with the people on the ground, the service members who are serving to be able to bring priorities and not be hamstrung by rules that DoD puts uh puts up as hurdles for us.
▶ 5:05:46Again, I met with the vice admiral over facilities on this and he was fully supportive of this and we were working together to get this done and that was less than two weeks ago when that conversation happened. This is uh very important that this gets done so that we can continue to train our pilots and they be served well by us. And so I offer this amendment and ask for its consideration. Thank you. Thank you. Chairman Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment.
▶ 5:06:18I reluctantly rise in opposition to this We have an established CP F process. With long-standing guidance, this amendment does not follow the process. I will continue to work with the member, but as submitted, I cannot support the amendment. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. Thank you.
▶ 5:06:45The gentle lady from Florida, the ranking member of the full committee is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I associate with myself with the chairman's remarks and sympathetically oppose the amendment. Thank you very much. Any other members wish to address the amendment? Seeing none, the question is now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Can I close? I'm sorry. Can I close? Oh, absolutely. I'm sorry. Thank you very much. Gentleman's recognized to close. Thank you.
▶ 5:07:15Uh I I just want to point out that I did submit this as a CPF. I was told that the rules prohibit me from doing so. These are DoD rules. DoD rules again should not hamstrung our committee from taking action. Uh and so it was within our committee rules as best as we could understand and find them. So this should have been accepted by the committee staff. It was not. Uh which is unfortunate because the people who suffer are of course our Navy pilots who are just starting out.
▶ 5:07:40Uh, and I would just point out that for the price of 13 one, the fraction of the price of one F-35, we can actually take care of the pilots who fly them, you know, or any other, you know, weapon system that requires a pilot. But thank you and I yield back. Thank you. Uh, the question is now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Texas. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No.
▶ 5:08:09The opinion of the chair the nose have it and the amendment is not adopted. Gentleman from or gentle lady from Florida ranking member of the full committee is recognized for an Did somebody ask for a recorded vote? Oh fine. Sorry.
▶ 5:08:37Recorded vote has been Recorded vote has been requested. all there all well all those in favor recorded vote raise your hands. Not a sufficient number of hands to go to recorded. Amendments not agreed to. Gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wasserman Schultz, the ranking member of the subcommittee is recognized for an amendment.
▶ 5:09:07Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent that it be considered as rep. I'm Yes. Sorry, we were confirring. Said I had an amendment at the desk and I asked unanimous consent that it be considered as God bless you. Thank you. Um, okay. Okay.
▶ 5:09:29So, this amendment provides certainty and backs up the commitment that we made to veterans in the PAC Act by ensuring that we take care of our toxic exposed heroes who have served so honorably. This amendment commits $51.7 billion in advanced funding for the toxic exposure fund or TE equal to the president's budget request. Last year in this bill, we made a similar commitment by including advanced funding. I supported it.
▶ 5:09:55Yet the majority apparently has had inexplicably a change of heart. The toxic exposures fund was designed by the pact act designed to provide dedicated and consistent and absolutely insured funding to support the healthcare and benefits for veterans subjected to toxic substances or environmental hazards during their military service. It addresses serious health issues from exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
▶ 5:10:25The fund supports expanded medical care and benefits and addresses the growing number of veterans experiencing health problems because of these toxic exposures. Congress made the decision to ensure the TE would be protected, not rated for other domestic funding priorities. And this amendment ensures just that. This committee provides advanced funding for VA medical care. This is not new or unusual or controvert nor controversial.
▶ 5:10:52Uh administrations both Republican and Democratic request advanced funding for VA medical care. This committee must not abandon long-standing practice of advancing medical care at the expense of toxic exposed veterans. Since the PAC Act was signed into law, there has been a significant increase in veteran enrollment in VA healthcare. As of May, there have been nearly 460,000 new enroles and 2.4 4 million Pacted Act claims completed.
▶ 5:11:18The PACed Act has been a success largely due to VA's aggressive outreach effort. These numbers make it clear that we need to ensure consistent, stable, and robust funding, and this amendment does that. Without this dedicated funding, veterans who qualify for care under the PAC Act could face a situation where they will need to pay for medical care costs out of pocket. That renegs on the promise that we made when we passed the bipartisan PAC Act.
▶ 5:11:43That is why I urge you to support this amendment and not subject veterans who are exposed to toxic substances to the whims of the political process that we deal with here and leave them twisting in the wind when we have a CR or when we have uncertainty at the end of the of the budget cycle and we can't ensure that we have continuity of funding in that TE. That's what we promised them we would do, have that continuity when we passed the pact.
▶ 5:12:12And I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Thank you. The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter, is recognized to respond to the amendment. And I thank you. Thank you for recognizing me, Mr. Chairman. And I've heard a good bit of debate on the TEF over several months and I'd like to introduce a secondderee amendment to Ms. Washerman Shield's amendment. No, you're speaking to the amendment now. I'm speaking to the amendment now. Okay.
▶ 5:12:43By offering a second degree amendment. Not yet. Well, first off, let me say that I I sympathize with her. I understand what she's trying to do. I oppose this idea of of this having money sitting pot until it gets it gets spent and uh for that reason I I don't I urge my colleagues not to support the amendment.
▶ 5:13:13I have a second degree amendment at the desk. No, we have to have Okay, that's right. Then we have a debate on the amendment. Okay. I close. Uh there are other amendments or other members wishing to speak on the amendment. Mr. Dolores is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment.
▶ 5:13:43This provides 51.7 billion in forward funding for the toxic exposure fund or the TE under the PACT act. As a daughter of a veteran, I have the deepest respect for the members of our armed services who have protected our country. We have a moral responsibility to take care of those who have made great sacrifices to protect our nation both in active service and in retirement. Unfortunately, we have failed that responsibility too many times in our history.
▶ 5:14:13Many veterans were exposed to toxic chemicals or substances during their service, including burn pits, pesticides, lead, asbestous, certain paints, x-rays, nuclear materials, and more. And these expo exposures led to longlasting health effects that were difficult to detect and to treat. The PACE act was a major bipartisan success for our veterans that I was proud to support.
▶ 5:14:41More than 4.1 million veterans have already received free screenings for toxic exposures, a critical step to catch and treat health conditions as early as possible. Last year, the PAT Act was even expanded so that all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military, whether at home or abroad, are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care.
▶ 5:15:04This includes veterans who never deployed but suffered exposure while training uh or on active duty on our own home soil. This expansion made millions more veterans eligible for care up to eight years earlier than originally written. Time is crucial to the treatment of many of these exposure related conditions which can take years to develop and even longer to properly treat.
▶ 5:15:28Forward funding this legislation ensures that these veterans do not have to worry about whether their health care access will be jeopardized by the extreme budget cuts or political shenanigans. The VA cannot provide adequate health care if it is understaffed and underfunded. Too many veterans already struggle with excessingly timely care.
▶ 5:15:55It would be a clear benefit to their health and peace of mind if the Congress were to guarantee that this funding will be available for next year and beyond. The majority not including advanced funding for the PAC Act. That speaks volumes. Speaks volumes about a lack of commitment to those who have suffered toxic exposures though they may have voted for this piece of legislation. The fact that they are not providing this funding speaks volumes. Our troops should not be a political football.
▶ 5:16:23our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are not willing to guarantee that there will be funding for this program. Democrats are prepared to give it to them. I hope my Republican colleagues will join us. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from Minnesota, Miss McCullum, is recognized to address the amendment. 29th this year was the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
▶ 5:16:54I'm speaking on behalf of this amendment to make sure that our VA's facilities if we have a government shutdown and some of the other advanced funding is there. I could speak of my great uncle who came home from World War One shell shocked.
▶ 5:17:11My father came back with malaria, wore hearing aids as big as my hand, transistor radios from um his need uh for help after he lost his hearing being around a lot of exploding ordinance. But I just want to just take a minute to reflect on what the pack meant for VFW and Legion members who worked really hard to get our Vietnam veterans taken care of.
▶ 5:17:42If you've ever sat at a kitchen table and watched a Vietnam veteran struggle with filling out Agent Orange paperwork when the person who he worked alongside with with a radio had a child who had severe abnormalities when they were born and that person was declared to have been exposed to Agent Orange. But the person who worked alongside of him every day wasn't had to prove everything.
▶ 5:18:12It made our Vietnam veterans who came home and felt disrespected and even felt like they were less and less appreciated to even have their healthc care taken care of. So, and then the Blue Navy veterans were hung up forever over in the Senate. Not here in the House, in the Senate. This advanced appropriation, especially to the Vietnam veterans, means a great deal. It means to them it's part of a welcome home.
▶ 5:18:42So to all of our veterans who are entitled to have these resources available to them because of the toxity that they were exposed to, I just want to as we're voting make sure that and many of you have worn the uniform here and I I appreciate each and every one of you. just think of our Vietnam veterans in mind and let's make sure that they know we're welcoming home because this would be another big takeaway for them. Thank you very much.
▶ 5:19:11Gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Bishop is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I represent a congressional district that has three major military Thousands and thousands of veterans who served in all of our wars. It is crucial that we support this amendment. Our veterans didn't ask to be exposed to these toxic environments.
▶ 5:19:41We Congress made a promise to the veterans. we passed the PAC Act that we valued their service and in doing so we compensated them the harsh exposure that they experienced while serving in This amendment would build on the trust the PAT act and the toxic exposure fund started with our veterans population.
▶ 5:20:09It will ensure that reliable, consistent funding is available for our veterans regardless of the uncertainty that we face in the world today and in this legislative environment. After the administration announced the federal government funding cuts, my veteran population's stress level increased, not knowing if their benefits would be reduced or even eliminated.
▶ 5:20:37Our veterans shouldn't have to worry whether their benefits will be next on the chopping block. Advanced funding for the toxic exposure fund will solidify the promise that we, the Congress of the United States made with our veterans three years ago. There's enough uncertainty in the world today.
▶ 5:21:02Let's do our part to alleviate some of that uncertainty for our veterans population and for their I'm asking this committee to solidify our promise to our veterans and advance fund the toxic exposure fund.
▶ 5:21:23It's the right thing to do and it will create certainty and a much uh more confident future for our veterans. I urge the passage of this amendment. Gentleman from New York, Mr. Morelli is recognized to address the amendment. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 5:21:47I rise uh today in support of this amendment and thank the gentle lady for uh advancing it which provides advanced funding for the toxic exposures fund. I was just thinking back to just a few weeks ago I had the privilege of marching as I do every year in the East Rochester Village Memorial Day parade and at the end of the parade we gathered together to honor uh those men and women who have lost their lives in service to the country and um the commander of the East Rochester American
▶ 5:22:18Legion Post 1917 Tom Ojek spoke and he talked about in a very poignant way how we honor on Memorial Day those who die in war. And he said, "We honor certainly the 58,000 uh men and women uh who were lost, service members who lost during the Vietnam War, but he said there were 300,000 Americans who have died from exposure." And he talked about how uh service members would get barrels, barrels, barrels of
▶ 5:22:48herbicide, which they were assured wouldn't affect humans or animals, but were only toxic to uh vegetation. and how it was wrapped and always came in orange tape, thus giving it the name Agent Orange. And uh so after they used the barrel, service members would barbecue in it and would take put water in it to serve water and and drinks in it and do all kinds of things.
▶ 5:23:14And as a result, 300,000 to this day have died from that exposure. We know so much more now about not only the impacts of Agent Orange, but other toxic substance, burn pits, etc. And this amendment in my mind is central to keeping our promise, our obligation, meeting the obligation to veterans who exposed to toxic substance during their service and are now counting on us to follow through.
▶ 5:23:39Uh the amendment ensures that stable, predictable funding for the toxic exposure fund, a fund created by the bipartisan honor our pact act to address the very real and growing need uh of veterans affected by toxic exposure like burn pits, like agent orange, like other toxic substances.
▶ 5:23:57Uh and I think it bears repeating uh each day unless we forget that since the PAC act has become law, the VA has completed two million claims, enrolled nearly half a million new veterans in care.
▶ 5:24:11And these numbers are a testament to what I think happens when we pass good policy, when we implement it with integrity, when we work to meet the obligations that we made to the loved ones, to the people who serve, to their family members, uh, and that we meet the need of the expanded uh, number of folks that we have in our care. So without this amendment, we risk failing those who trusted us. So, you're asking men and women to join the military service and making commitments to them.
▶ 5:24:40You have to honor what you do. Make sure that you are there for them in their time of need. And veterans could face uncertainty in their benefits or be left to pay for their care out of pocket. It's not just bad policy not to do. It's a betrayal of the promise we made. And so many of them make u rather dark jokes about uh that the government's plan sometimes is just to wait for them to die so they can't make a claim under the PAC Act. So let's be clear, there are no legal or procedural barriers to advanced funding for the TEF.
▶ 5:25:11Congress has done it before. We can we should we must do it again. And we not cannot claim to honor the veterans that Tom Wick spoke about on Memorial Day. uh we cannot claim to honor them while we're quietly disassembling the infrastructure that they rely on and that they need. So I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment. Our veterans deserve more than unfulfilled promises. They deserve a fully funded, fully staffed VA that can meet their needs with dignity and with respect.
▶ 5:25:41Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from Ohio, Miss Captor, recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in uh support of of this important amendment uh in the part of Ohio that I represent, northwestern uh quadrant of Ohio. We have 83,000 veterans. And uh I happened to uh meet a gentleman uh a veteran from our Middle East conflicts and I had never seen anyone with hands that looked like his.
▶ 5:26:11they were completely gnarled and he was trying to type on a keyboard for the work that he was doing uh in order to have a job in our community. And I asked him, I said, "Are you a veteran?" And he said, "Yes." And I said, "May I ask, what did you do to your hands?" He said, "I was in charge of lifting ordinance that had been burnt and exploded near a burn pit um and uh in Iraq and
▶ 5:26:42uh he had kidney uh conditions plus these hands and he had the best attitude. I have never seen anything like that in my life." And so I wanted to rise on his behalf and and also a memory that's searing in my own mind when we flew into Iraq during the war. And uh the first thing I saw was those refineries with all that belching smoke.
▶ 5:27:06It was just it was we had to fly through that grey haze and um thinking about those that were serving in theater and then to see all of the vehicles that had been trashed in theater that were being parked. I wasn't even allowed to take a picture of it. Uh but uh in back of one of the um buildings that we stopped at uh as we reviewed what was happening there.
▶ 5:27:28Um, I also just want to make a comment for our veterans that are coming home from those Middle East I used to hear from veterans in earlier conflicts that they were proud of their I don't hear that from these veterans. What they say to me is, "I did my job. I did my job." And they did. And we owe them for the job that they did.
▶ 5:27:54Um the uh several others have mentioned uh that in with the congresswoman um ranking member Wasserman Schultz offering this amendment uh there had been a change of heart I guess somewhere along the way when 22.8 8 billion in advanced funding uh for the toxic exposures funds uh in the CR. There was some change of heart there.
▶ 5:28:16But without this dedicated funding, veterans who qualify for care under the PAC Act could be forced to pay for their medical care expenses out of pocket. And that is why this amendment is so necessary. And so many of our veterans come home garden reserve and they disappear into the deep countryside. And we don't have veteran services out there. We have to try to get them to come in to the more urbanized areas where we can provide them some care. So, I know how many go without care.
▶ 5:28:46And that's another reason why this is so necessary. Uh it's imperative that we provide stable long-term funding for the toxic exposure fund. Otherwise, we undermine the progress made in expanding the number of veterans screened for toxic exposure. This amendment commits $51.7 billion in advanced funding for the toxic exposure fund, equal to the president's request, allowing us to make good on the promise we made when we passed the PAC Act.
▶ 5:29:16I really urge all of our members to vote for his favorable passage in good con in uh good conscience and I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from Florida, Miss Frankle's recognized to address the Thank you. Thank you, Miss Well, you know, this amendment deserves a my my.
▶ 5:29:42It really Uh I I rise in support in strong support for the advanced funding for the toxic expose exposure fund. Now, I I got to say this.
▶ 5:29:58As the as the mother of a United States Marine who who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is appalling to me that we even have to fight for this Okay, I'll try to calm down. Norman's giving me the eye. Hey, listen. The b the bottom line is this.
▶ 5:30:20Many illnesses caused by toxic exposure can be treated, some even cured, but that care isn't that isn't always simple. It it can it can take months, sometimes years of IV infusions, of medication, intensive followup, and if Congress does not provide advanced funding, we're risking a devastating consequence.
▶ 5:30:47veterans having their treatment interrupted or cut off entirely. And for many that could be a death sentence. Now, a good memory I have actually was at uh my son's graduation at Quantico with hundreds of other parents and we saw these men and women getting ready to become officers in the United States Marines.
▶ 5:31:10And I will tell you there they were standing there strong and they were standing there healthy and enthusiastic and patriotic just like the maybe 160,000 other men and women every year who enlist. And I want to emphasize when they enlist they are strong and they are healthy and they are patriots. Some never come home.
▶ 5:31:35Some return in flag draped coffins, but some come home and they live long lives until one day they're told that they have cancer or COPD or Parkinson's from exposure. Uh over over 1 million veterans have already made claims under the for benefits under the PAC Act. That's that's a lot. But for many of them there, as I said, they're treatments there are treatments that offer real hope.
▶ 5:32:05But without advanced funding, those treatments could stop midstream, cut short because of political games. And this is not acceptable. And this is not the message or we want to send to people to young people who we want to enlist in the military. With the bipartisan pack Act, we made a promise to take care of our patriots. And if we fail to fund it properly, we're not just breaking our promise.
▶ 5:32:31We're turning their backs on people who wore the uniform for us. And today, I you know, I don't speak really just as a member of Congress. Although it's an honor, I speak for for the families of veterans, for every spouse, child, and parent who sends a loved one off to defend our freedoms, trusting that they will be cared for when they return.
▶ 5:32:55And just to be blunt as a marine ma mom, this bill uh without the necessary should I say I'll be polite. It infuriates me. Um because we we owe our veterans more than half measures and hollow commitments. I'm voting for this amendment. I hope all the other patriots in this room will do that, too. Let's keep our promise and let's save lives. And I yel back. Thank you.
▶ 5:33:25The gentle lady from Texas, Miss Escobar, is recognized to speak to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, thank you so much. I rise in support of the veterans in my district who support and want us to continue to support the PACT Act.
▶ 5:33:46I am so proud of the fact that many of us in this room a few years ago voted in a bipartisan manner to fully fund the PAC Act to protect our veterans to keep our promises to them to honor their sacrifices to recognize the pain that they have lived through that we as members of Congress have an obligation to address.
▶ 5:34:12This amendment should be the easiest amendment of all of those that we consider tonight because it would allow us as members of Congress to keep the promise that we made to those veterans when we voted in favor of the PAC Act.
▶ 5:34:29And this would protect them from some of the challenges that we face here on Capitol Hill when we're debating bills or when there are government shutdowns or when there are continuing All of those things that we have to go home and explain to our constituents about our veterans are among those members of our community who we shouldn't have to explain.
▶ 5:34:56we're not going to fully cover your care because we can't make decisions up here together. So, this this amendment would protect that funding going forward, but more importantly, it would protect their care and their access to care. And for all of us who supported that great bipartisan bill, a really proud moment, I think, for all of us, this should be an easy yes. I urge my colleagues to vote yes.
▶ 5:35:26Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from Washington, Miss Perez, is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think one of the most seductive and lazy lies we can tell ourselves is that there's a free lunch, that there's a chemical solution to the problems and the challenges we face, that we can pass forward the debt that we owe.
▶ 5:35:51And I think we have the duty to be candid about whose children are being exposed to these chemicals who is choosing to go into service. Um it is it is working people. It is my people. It is many of your people. It is many of the families that you come from. We know that this exposure has epigenetic effects. We know that this cost will be born generation after generation.
▶ 5:36:12and to assume the convenient lie that you are able to pass this forward that there's a free lunch somewhere somewhere with a budget gimmick where we can sherk the responsibility the deal that we made. This this is a this is a cheap deal. It's a it's a rotten deal to say that the immediate convenience of a of a less bloated um a lower budget it is false hope.
▶ 5:36:41Let's have accountability to the people who we've asked to put um their gene pool, their children, themselves in the harm. But I I urge my colleagues to to support this amendment. Thank you very much. Do any other members wish to speak to this amendment? Seeing none, there is at the desk an amendment in the second degree to the amendment offered by Mr. Carter. Gentleman is recognized.
▶ 5:37:12Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, we're all telling the clerk will read the amendment. Okay. Uh, I'd like ask for the way waving of the amendment. Without objection, the reading of the second degree amendment is dispensed with. The members recognized for remarks on the his second degree amendment. I've heard a good bit of debate about the TEF over the last several months. I'd like to introduce a second degree amendment to Miss Wasman Schles's amendment.
▶ 5:37:41My second degree amendment provides for a TEF advance for fiscal year 2027. It simply limits the period of availability to one year, not making funds available until expended. This physically responsible amendment provides the security my colleagues are on the other side of the aisle are talking about while making sure we are not inadvertently creating a slush fund.
▶ 5:38:09And while we're talking about while anybody wants to tell their sad story, I'll tell my sad story. Some of you heard heard me tell my story about how I got married. Uh, I went back to a a wedding uh where I had met a girl in Holland in 1965 and I went to a wedding in 1967 where her sister was marrying an Air Force captain who
▶ 5:38:39also happened to be an all-American goalie from Colgate and a professional hockey player in in Europe. I was as good a friend with Kurt Brown as anybody ever had. I He and I were great brothersin-law and we loved each other.
▶ 5:39:02Kurt Brown died from what they call a ghost You treat it here, it's a brain cancer. It goes away and everybody says, "Hallelujah." And then it appears here. And then when you treat it there, it goes here or here or here or here. It just keeps going around your brain until you die. And they treat it and treat it and treat it and treat it and treat it. There's nothing to do. He was in Sloan Kettering Hospital when he died.
▶ 5:39:33And all the VA paid for every bit of his his his stuff because they pro he proved it was from Agent Orange. And so they paid paid his his uh all of his expenses which were basically the expenses of the treatment. Now so I I've got an experience with the VA coming through and I'm proud of of the VA for coming through.
▶ 5:39:58I'm not wanting to keep these people from getting tech what I just don't like to see money sit there doing nothing. And ultimately if we if it's now 56 50 something billion dollars next year we'll want another 50s something billion dollars extended on and before we know it'll be like it could be hundred billion 200 billion at some point we got to get down to meeting
▶ 5:40:28our being men and women enough to meet our commitment. We will fund it adequately to take to take care of the people that are sick today for the next year and next year in our appropriation bill, we'll fund it again. That's the way you're supposed to do it. Not on the on the outside chance that you're not getting and if somebody if they run out of money, we can we can we can go get them some more money.
▶ 5:40:55But to put aside extra money in an account, there's so many extra money accounts in the United States federal government. We could probably pay off our debt if we found all of them. And I don't like the advanced payment view of this issue. I say we made a commitment. We'll meet that commitment and we'll meet it every year as long as we have people who are suffering from the injuries that they are entitled to be taken care of by that account.
▶ 5:41:25But I don't want to fund it for more than one year. And that's why I'm saying I will fund it, but I don't want to fund it for more than one year for fear of it'll grow just like food stamps 25 $2500 is what we were told it was going to be. And what is food stamps It's billions of dollars.
▶ 5:41:51This place has a way of growing out of and and and then that money gets used for other purposes sometimes and purposes maybe you don't like because we use it or you don't like because they use it. So I don't like slush funds. I don't like advanced payments.
▶ 5:42:10I want to pay our bills when they come due and we will adequately fund for this year and I will assure you that miss if Miss Werman Schulz is the is the chairman next year I will support her in doing whatever she wants to do on this. But this is something that is peculiar to me. I don't like slush funds that grow That's why I'm offering this second amendment.
▶ 5:42:38I perfectly intend on funding this adequately for one year and uh if it runs out of money, I'll fund the rest of it. But that's I don't like it the advanced funding of especially with a a term the amount of 50s something billion dollars. That's a lot of money.
▶ 5:43:03So I urge my colleagues to support my Gentle lady from Florida, Miss Washington Schultz is recognized to respond to the I'm sorry. May I just ask Mr. Carter question? Young ladies recognize a question. Mr.
▶ 5:43:31Carter, I just I I I have some statistics. I'm I just would ask if you could confirm these things. I don't I don't know. Um maybe I didn't make myself clear. It'll advance the money for one year. It'll advance and any money that's not used may be carried over or it may be or it may be used. Okay. But I just I just But if there's a need, we will fund the need. This this is this is my concern.
▶ 5:43:57My concern is that there are so many veterans making claims uh which are which are being approved quite rapidly. My concern is that funding should run out in the middle of somebody's treatment. That's my that's my concern and I want to just ask you if these I'm not trying to challenge you in any way.
▶ 5:44:18I just want to know if these statistics are correct, but from what I have read, there have been uh over three and a half mil over three and a half million exposures, 1.4 million uh veterans have applied. Uh 880,000 claims have been processed. 660,000 claims have been approved.
▶ 5:44:43And the cost is projected to be something like 797 billion over 10 years. So it really my concern is if there's if if if 1.4 million veterans have already applied and 880,000 claims have already 660,000 already been approved. Do do you know what that adds up to? Because I'm worried more than $50 billion. Okay.
▶ 5:45:09So it so if it adds up to more than $50 billion, why are you not allowing us to advance the funding? Because people but you know, let me tell you something. I have seen these veterans hooked up. They sit for eight hours with an IV in their and then they go back month after month. And what happens if you run out of money and they can't complete their treatment?
▶ 5:45:37That's what I'm worried about cuz they can be cured. Uh the money's way more than we're talking about right here is what you're Well, what I'm saying is I think this is what I'm saying is uh I don't know whose amendment is what amendment, but I'm just telling
▶ 5:46:07you folks 50 we need this $50 billion in advance to save these veterans lives that stood up for us. That's what I'm Miss Wasimman Schultz, is your amendment still up there? Okay, I'm in support of Pardon me. under the underlying amendment. I'm supporting the underlying I'm all due respect.
▶ 5:46:28I'm not trying to take this out on you, but I could tell you I obviously a lot of emotion involved here because we have all these young men and women and even our older veterans who deserve to be taken care I I agree. Everyone deserves to be taken care of that was injured fighting for our country in any form or fashion or got sick or died. I buried my my brother-in-law and I buried his wife two weeks ago.
▶ 5:47:03Gentle lady from Florida is recognized to address the amendment in the uh second degree. Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, what we'd be voting on here with the amendment in the second degree is the difference between whether or not the 51.7 billion in the toxic exposure fund that we would be advanced funding would be able to remain until it is expended.
▶ 5:47:35as opposed to what Chairman Carter is proposing where it would cease to be possible to spend the funds after one I I I'll first say that I am glad that this amendment has resulted in an acknowledgement that we should be funding advanced funding the toxic exposure fund with 51.7 billion.
▶ 5:48:05So it looks like we're making progress here. we've come together and this secondary amendment clearly demonstrates that we all agree with that assuming this secondary amendment would pass. Um but I want to make sure that everyone here understands because it can be a little it can be a little confusing.
▶ 5:48:25Um I I've been in this judge Carter and I have been in this role respectively in either what either direction for a lot of years and we already advanced fund VA medical care to a the tune of $112 billion on the discretionary side. We already do that. That is a common practice in the VA medical care because we owe it to our veterans.
▶ 5:48:52We decided many years ago that we owe the certainty to our veterans. They've served our country. We have to make sure that we can care for them. Their health care needs should not be subject to the whims of the political decisions that we make every fiscal year in the appropriations process to the whims of whether there's a CR to the whims of whether we have don't get to a fullyear budget.
▶ 5:49:18We have these funds advanced funded in a unique way in our bill both in the mandatory side for the pacted act and in the discretionary side for VA medical care because we don't want there to be a gap that our veterans fall through. So this is not unusual. It is not a slush fund. It is funds that ensure that there's no break as the gentle lady from Florida said in the care that these veterans have earned.
▶ 5:49:47As I said, we have 460,000 new enroles and 2.4 million packed act claims that have been completed already. So, $51.7 billion, which was requested by the president in the same way that this amendment asks for it until and shall remain available until expended.
▶ 5:50:10If we change it to a year, then you are risking the possibility that there would be a gap. Now look, I am appreciative that we'll we would take the issue off the table here on whether or not we advance fund the TE, but it should not only be advanced funded for a year because I think what everybody needs to understand here is that if we only
▶ 5:50:40do it for a year, the funds revert to the Treasury. I mean, if you can't expend it past a year, then the funds revert to the Treasury and you still have the same issue. And it's not like we've been very consistent uh in this committee or in the Congress um to snap to attention and immediately fund needs when there's a shortfall. So, I appreciate and I believe that Judge Carter's commitment is sincere.
▶ 5:51:06I just don't think that we likely have the ability to make sure that those funds are filled in in the event that the there are funds the insufficient funds to meet the needs. So I mean we we advance fund veterans healthcare and I mean why would we not do that?
▶ 5:51:27I mean, the president, look, I don't agree with Donald Trump on anything, but but in this instance, he clearly recognized that we made a commitment to the veterans when for those of us that voted for the pact, we agreed that we were going to give them guaranteed funding. That's why the toxic exposure fund exists on the mandatory side of the of the ledger so that they can count on it. And we know that the political whims that exist here, they won't be victims of.
▶ 5:51:58So, well, I I frankly I'm I'm torn. And is it possible, Mr. Chairman, can we go to the next amendment? Can we put this aside for a few minutes and talk about this behind the scenes to see if we can work something out and then I don't think we really have that option. The amen. We have a lot of other amendments, Mr. Chairman. We do that all the time, but I'd like to see if there was a possible If you would give me just a moment. Sure.
▶ 5:52:58That's because John Stewart came down here and said, "You have to do it.
▶ 5:53:31Come on here. That's right.
▶ 5:54:03Do you want me to break them up and tell Let them do the suggestion first. Okay. I apologize for the delay.
▶ 5:54:20I'm advised that each of you can withdraw your amendments and then have a discussion and we could reintroduce them at the end if you can't come to an I I would appreciate that opportunity, Mr. Okay. Uh without objection, then we're going to withdraw both the original amendment and the amendment and the second degree. We're they're off the floor. So that's not pending business. We'll let you two decide whether or not at the end.
▶ 5:54:50We have to go all the way through. So this will be something that comes at the end. It's not something we interject along the way. Uh so you guys see if you can come to an agreement. We'll come back and reconsider it. If you have an agreement, great. If not, we'll we'll go about the business as we are. Will have to withdraw his first. So, judge you, you will have to I withdraw mine. Okay. His has been withdrawn. Debbie, you have to formally Mr. Chairman, I uh ask unanimous consent to withdraw my underlying amendment.
▶ 5:55:20Okay. Both amendments have been withdrawn. We'll see if they can work it out. We'll represent at the end. Just so you know. What's next? Give me Thank you very much. Okay, Mr. Cloud of Texas is recognized for an amendment. Cloud number three, I believe. Oh, he just left. All right, let's move on. We'll come back to this.
▶ 5:55:52Well, you're Yeah, you'll be next. Uh, excuse me. We'll now move on to amendment by Miss Washerman Schultz by Miss Wasserman Schultz is recognized for an amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent that it be considered as read. Without objection, the reading of the amendments dispensed with and the members recognized for remarks on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment is simple.
▶ 5:56:17It would direct a study from the Government Accountability Office on the effects of tariffs on military construction projects. We know this administration's tariff agenda is wreaking havoc on Americans pocketbooks. President Trump himself admits that tariffs would hike food, clothes, and toy prices. In a cabinet meeting, he reportedly admitted that store shelves could go bare. The housing industry is already feeling this pain.
▶ 5:56:41Trump tariffs on lumber, aluminum, steel, and other raw materials have hit the building sector, and our military construction projects clearly rely on these same materials. To give you just two examples, realtor.com reported in April that nail nail prices, the kind you bang into wood, would jump 400% due to the administration's tariff policies. The National Association of Homebuilders estimates tariffs would drive up the average cost of a new house by nearly $11,000. I could go on.
▶ 5:57:11Examples are found all through the supply chain. And whether it's his home buyers or taxpayers, average Americans get stuck with the higher construction bill for Trump's tariffs. Unfortunately, we all know, and Judge Carter and I know this from experience, we all know that military construction is already more costly than the the equivalent projects funded by other departments, local governments, and even private private sector.
▶ 5:57:32We get reprogramming requests all the time, particularly through COVID and other times when construction materials costs uh rise or when, like in Guam, uh they got hit by an by uh by the um the the hurricane. And so it's an island and construction materials were much more expensive to get in than they even normally are. And so costs go up.
▶ 5:57:57Um add tariffs and that that impacts the costs overall e exponentially. Um as the cost of mil military construction projects continue to climb, the administration's tariff policies will only handcuff this committee's ability to fund projects with our already limited resources. I mean, we can see with Mr.
▶ 5:58:18Cloud, you know, we we just and there's lots of other members who their their project is too far down the list, and we just have not been able to fund the list further down, add higher prices and higher costs for construction, and that's an even shorter list that we're able to fund. So, put simply, these Trump tariffs kill military construction projects. They just do. That means fewer new barracks for our troops, less construction in the Indoacific and Europe to deter adversaries.
▶ 5:58:46It means less resources for infrastructure that our service members need to do their critical work to get child care and for housing. As we rebuild from extreme weather events at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, devastated by Typhoon Marwar. Tindle Air Force Base hit by Hurricane Kane Michael in Florida. McDill Air Force Base in my home state of Florida that was hit by Hurricane Milton. It'll be more costly than we originally estimated. The Department of Defense and especially the services already have deep infrastructure and unaccompanied housing backlogs.
▶ 5:59:14These tariffs will also cause delays in projects this bill would fund, meaning the services will be forced to submit reprogramming quest requests to address cost increases before they can award projects. So, I hope my colleagues will support this amendment for the sake of transparency. It gathers information that we need to understand on the changing costs of military construction projects. It's basic data that we need. So, I urge you to support the amendment. Thank you. Thank you. Mr.
▶ 5:59:41Carter of Texas recognized to address the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. I construction professionals need to be focused on project management and construction of facilities not responding to impractical political motivated congressional reports demands. I urge my colleagues to oppose this Gentle lady from Connecticut, Mr. Lor's recognized to address the amendment.
▶ 6:00:14Mike, Mike, this requires I rise in support of the amendment. It requires a report a report on the impact that President Trump's chaotic tariffs are having on military construction projects across branches and military installations. We're already starting 2025 below where we need this budget to be.
▶ 6:00:34As I said in my opening remarks, this bill underfunds military construction by nearly1 billion dollars, which means our military construction projects will have to cut corners or defer maintenance, both of which create larger costs in the long run. This is an issue of military readiness. We need to be making sure our facilities are able to keep up with the demands that military missions place upon them.
▶ 6:00:59Unfortunately, President Trump's trade wars are driving up the prices of a wide variety of building materials of which there is not sufficient domestic supply from steel to lumber to copper and more. The cost of these tariffs will certainly make it more expensive to build and maintain projects across the country.
▶ 6:01:19According to a survey done in April by the National Alliance of Homebuilders, nearly 60% of builders reported that their suppliers had already increased or plan to increase prices of materials due to tariffs. These increases would add an estimated $11,000 of additional cost to each home built. And that is just for residential homes. Large government facilities will likely face even higher price increases due to specialty building materials and requirements.
▶ 6:01:50And while the administration may have raised or lowered, it is quite hard to really keep track of up down tariffs on imports several times this April, those price increases will still be working their way through the economy for some time. It is vital that we as appropriators understand the cost impact that these tariffs are having on construction materials for our military. Our troops deserve safe, clean, resilient facilities, help them accomplish their missions.
▶ 6:02:20This administration has taken actions to drive up the cost of building in addition to drive up the cost of living. And we must understand the impacts that that will have on our military readiness. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield Thank you. Do any other amendments seek recognition to speak on the amendment? There's no further debate. The gentle lady's recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 6:02:50Uh I mean, we're just I I think we should all want transparency. This is a GAO report. This doesn't tie up anyone at the at at the Department of Defense that needs to be focused on other things. This is our agency that if we task them with seeing what the impact of the tariffs are on military construction costs, we're going to be able to make better long-term decisions when it comes to funding those projects.
▶ 6:03:17we can give that information to DoD and when they're developing their five-year lists, they can make decisions w with more information. So, um I mean I I don't know why we wouldn't want more information and we're tasking the agency that we actually have responsible for those for that kind of uh of doout. But um I I don't know.
▶ 6:03:42I I I think we should probably be better able to make decisions with information that we don't have without a report like this. So, I urge my uh colleagues to support the amendment and yield back. Thank you very much. The questions now on the amendment. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Florida. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No.
▶ 6:04:11The opinion of the chair, the nose have it. Recorded vote has been requested. Just one more show of hands. I'm sorry, I was looking down. More than sufficient. Sufficient number in support. Recorded vote is now ordered. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Mr. Aguilar. I. Mr. Aguilar. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Mr. Alfred. No.
▶ 6:04:41Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyurn. No. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde, no.
▶ 6:05:11Mr. Cole, no. Mr. Cole, no. Mr. Quaar, Mr. Quaar, I Miss Dean. Mr. Luro, hi. Mr. Loro, I Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Diaz Bart, no. Mr. Edwards, Mr. Elzie, Mr. Elz, no. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I Mr. Espayat. Hi. Mr. Espay. I Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No.
▶ 6:05:38Miss Frankle Miss Frankle I Mr. Franklin Mr. Franklin no Mr. Gonzalez Mr. Guest Mr. Harter Dr. Harris Dr. Harris No Mrs. Henson Mrs. Henson no Mr. Hoyer yes Mr. Hoyer I Mr. Ivy Mr. Ivy I Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce. No.
▶ 6:06:08Miss Captor. Hi. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I Miss Latlo. Miss Latlo. No. Mr. Leven. Mr. Lean. I Miss Mallaloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss Miss McCollum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Hi. Mr. Morelli I Mr.
▶ 6:06:37Mvan I Mr. Morvan I Mr. New House Mr. New House No Miss Perez Miss Perez I Miss Pingri Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Russianthaler Mr. Russianthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Rutherford Mr. Rutherford no Mr. Simpson Mr. Simpson no Mr. Strong Mr. Strong. No. Miss Torres.
▶ 6:07:07Miss Underwood. Hi. Miss Underwood. I Mr. Valado. Mr. Valado. No. Mr. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Hi. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wac. Mr. Wac. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mr. Edwards. No Mr. Guest Mr. Guest.
▶ 6:07:37No Mr. Gonzalez. No Mr. Gonzalez. No Mr. Adder Holt. Mr. Adder Holt. No. Mr. Chairman, how am I recorded? Ah, I do not believe the gentleman is recorded. Mr. Clyurn is recorded as a no. No, I thought I heard that is I. Mr. Klyurn votes I. Are there any other members wishing to change or record their vote?
▶ 6:08:07Clerk will tally On
▶ 6:08:53this vote, the eyes are 25, the nose are 34. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or discussion? Mr. Cloud? Cloud is recognized for an amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Third time's a term. Yeah. Um, we have an amendment at the desk. I ask for the reading to be suspended. Without objection, the reading of the amendments dispensed with.
▶ 6:09:22The members recognized for remarks on his amendment. Thank you. Our CPF rules are pretty uh broad. They give us a pretty good amount of discretion. Uh in the past they had been misused and some guard rails were put on them which I certainly applaud.
▶ 6:09:44I find it notable that if it were for any other project, we could get these kind of projects that I had mentioned in the last two amendments But because this is for the people in we have rules that prohibit us from doing so. And these are rules that we've put in place ourselves.
▶ 6:10:06And so we've put hurdles in front of our way of in our own way of helping out those in in the I would suggest that next time we do this and we re-evaluate our committee rules that we look at the rules on CPF funding. This is not I I understand the need for the FEP which hasn't been released yet this year but uh and us making sure that we are supporting strategic priorities.
▶ 6:10:36But this isn't about taking money from other strategic projects. This is about any other project that could be used for CPF funding and just making sure that our servicemen and women in uniform are taken care of. Um I I would highly recommend that this committee consider rules that would allow us to do that. And uh I for the matter of time and to keep things moving, we'll withdraw my amendment. Thank you.
▶ 6:11:17Miss Werman Schultz is recognized for an It uh amendment number three.
▶ 6:11:59Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent that it be considered as rep. Without objection, the reading of the amendment dispensed with and the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment prevents the administration from continuing to conduct its illegal firings of VA employees without cause. Secretary Collins has announced that he plans to fire over 80,000 VA employees to meet the arbitrary goal of 15% reduction in staffing.
▶ 6:12:26He started by firing 2400 probationary employees who were reinstated after the courts ruled that these firings were illegal. There was no thought behind these f these firings. One horrific example was a veterans crisis line employee, one who trained the first responders and was a veteran herself who was initially let go. I shudder to think how many calls went unanswered or if someone on the front lines of preventing veteran suicide didn't have all the training they needed to properly respond.
▶ 6:12:54And now we stare down the barrel of an even more dangerous cut. Let me be clear. There is absolutely no way that the secretary can achieve his goal without it having an impact on the health care provided to our veterans. Yet, the secretary said many times or claims has claimed many times that he won't fire doctors, nurses, counselors, or really anyone at the Veterans Health Administration. If that's true, that he'll need to take all of his staff reduction from the Veterans Benefits Administration, which basically would eliminate it.
▶ 6:13:23And we all know that that's not realistic or responsible. So, if this goal is real, he'll need to cut staff at the Veterans Health Administration, guaranteeing that veterans healthcare will be harmed. VA always already has a tough time recruiting doctors and other health care professionals. It's a competitive market and private hospitals and clinics often pay more and it's not just medical professionals who ensure veterans receive quality care at VA. It's everyone who makes a seabach or a hospital run.
▶ 6:13:49Does this administration really believe that the arbitrary firing culture it's creating at the VA will make it an attractive place to work? No one wants to work at a place where the threat of being fired for no reason looms over their head every day. When we asked for more details on its staffing plans, they refused to provide them. Frankly, they don't really have a plan, or if they do, they're trying to keep it secret.
▶ 6:14:11Today, it came out that the VA doesn't even really have the capability or the talent in the VA to actually figure out how to conduct this reduction in force themselves. And so they've contracted with a component of OPM of the Office of Personnel Management. So they don't even know how to do this by themselves, let alone be able to make sure that it doesn't accidentally hurt veterans rather than help them.
▶ 6:14:41It's our job to make spending decisions and to oversee how the administration spends the money Congress has directed to be spent. And don't any one of us forget when this ad administration says that it will clearcut 80,000 plus VA staff, that's 20,000 actual veterans that they'll put out of work. It's an ugly threat from the administration that's fired more veterans than any other administration in history already. Our veterans deserve better. They deserve answers to what is happening with an agency that supports their healthcare.
▶ 6:15:11They deserve to know if they will be able to get the benefits, appointments, and medical procedures they need. They deserve a fully staffed and a fully functional VA system, which is what we promised them when they stood up to defend our nation. So, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and I yield back. Thank you. Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment.
▶ 6:15:36The bill has as written and the budget request does not include personnel cuts. VA has reinforced health care and benefits by safeguarding 300 million mission critical positions to ensure uninterrupted services. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Thank you very much.
▶ 6:16:05Gentle lady from Ohio, Miss Captor is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you. Uh Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. Last year, Speaker Johnson emphasized, and I quote, "It is Congress's duty to ensure these heroes are taken care of after service." Allowing the Trump administration to reduce the number of VA employees would directly contradict this objective, revealing a lack of gratitude
▶ 6:16:36and failing to fulfill Congress's obligation to support our service members. With over 25% of the VA's employees and 30% of federal workers nationwide being veterans themselves, workforce reductions will have a dual negative impact. They will diminish services for veterans and simultaneously fire veterans from full-time employment.
▶ 6:17:00Cutting VA staff will not only limit veterans access to critical specialized care for conditions like PTS, military sexual trauma, and toxic exposures, but it will also mean losing experience and institutional knowledge that may not be recovered. Veterans will lose access to the precise treatments their unique health needs require. The Pacted Act has significantly expanded veterans care and increased enrollment.
▶ 6:17:27However, without sufficient staff to meet this demand, the remaining workforce faces overwhelming burdens, potentially compromising their ability to deliver timely and effective care for our veterans. If you all check with your district staffs, I'm sure you will find there already scheduling delays, longer waits, and staff shortages and actually vacancies in really important positions within the VA.
▶ 6:17:53A reduction in the VA workforce will have serious consequences for veterans, creating a ripple effect of negative uh impacts. Not only will it lead to significant delays in processing crucial disability claims, pensions, and other benefits, causing considerable financial hardship for veterans and their families. It will also jeopardize vital assistance programs that provide support for housing, for job training, and for mental health.
▶ 6:18:20Our VA employees are indispensable to our veterans well-being, providing specialized health care, processing vital benefits, and offering lifesaving support. And how many of you, like we in our office, have veterans waiting and waiting and waiting for administration on their disability claims. Without this dedicated workforce, veterans will struggle to access the critical care and assistance they need to survive and thrive after their service.
▶ 6:18:45Their continued presence ensures that those who defended our nation receive the comprehensive support that they have earned. I urge you all to support this amendment and I yield back. Thank you very much. Just to be absolutely clear, the gentle lady inadvertently said opposition in the opening statement. It's clear she supports the amendment. I just want to make that clear for the record. Easy to happen. Uh do are there others uh wishing to speak to the amendment?
▶ 6:19:16The gentleman from Maryland's Microphone, please, sir. What we have seen over the last five months is unprecedented.
▶ 6:19:35a gentleman who had very little experience with government other than getting money from it was tasked to go in with a group of people who had very little uh information on what government employees did or did not do uh were brought with him. Uh they were good at numbers. uh and this is this number is 80,000.
▶ 6:20:04I believe strongly that there is not a person alive who knows what an 80,000 reduction would have as an adverse consequence. the Doge group, Musk himself, and others in the administration who said, "We're going to reach a number." And they knew how to reach numbers.
▶ 6:20:33Now, of course, the courts have said they did not do so legally, but they had no idea of the consequences of what they were doing because they didn't take the time to do it. Now, my wife, Dr. Elaine Kmart, ran reinventing government for the Clinton Gore administration.
▶ 6:20:56They took five years and reduced So Clinton said in his State of the Union that year, we are now at the smallest number that we have been in 20 years of federal employees. There was no crisis. There was no great controversy because it was done in a thoughtful, meaningful, effective, responsible way.
▶ 6:21:30I can't believe that there are any of us in this room, I hope, who think that simply saying we're going to reduce congressional staff by half would respond. That makes sense. irrespective of what I will be able to do in my district office, in my congressional office and in my performance of my duties.
▶ 6:21:55So I think we ought to tell the and those from the outside like Mr. Moscow in the inside. Uh, ladies and gentlemen, tell us what the consequences are going to be of our arbitrary and capriccious actions reaching a number.
▶ 6:22:15On that basis alone, I would hope that all of us would say yes, let's have this because we, the Congress, are the not Mr. Musk, not the administration, but we the Congress under Article One. This is what this seeks to achieve.
▶ 6:22:38Not an arbitrary and capriccious judgment by those who do not know the consequences of their act and in the process are damaging very badly our country and our people. Vote yes. Are there any others wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 6:23:07Seeing none, the questions now. Uh, excuse me. Seeing none, the gentle lady is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My my colleague uh Chairman Carter said that there's money in this bill to spend on these salaries. Well, the VA secretary has said that he plans to fire 80,000 VA employees.
▶ 6:23:30If those salaries, since those salaries are in our bill, then we should be ensuring that the VA spends those funds as we intend and prevent them from firing 80,000 employees because we are the article one branch of government. We're the ones that are granting the authority and saying that they should spend the money on these employees. These are statutory.
▶ 6:23:59These are statutory funds. So we have to make sure that our authority is not is not circumvented by the administration. And so that's what this bill does. It that's what this amendment does. It just says that no funds will be spent no no funds shall be available to conduct any reduction in force pursuant to the statute or any similar reduction of positions below the statutoily authorized level at the Department of Veterans Affairs unless such reduction has been provided for in this act.
▶ 6:24:29That's our job. We need to come together collectively and defend Congress's power of the purse and defend our veterans and our VA employees who are serving them. So, I urge adoption of the amendment. Thank you. Thank you. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Florida. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nos have it. Roll call has been requested. sufficient number of hands have been risen.
▶ 6:25:00Um, recorded vote has been requested. Uh, the clerk will tally or excuse me, clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt, Mr. Adder Holt, no. Mr. Agular. Mr. Agular. I Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred, no. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I Mr. Sisammani.
▶ 6:25:31Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klein. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Hi. Mr. Quayar. I. Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Deloro. Mr. Loro. I. Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Elzie. Mr. Elsey. No. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar.
▶ 6:26:01I Mr. Espayat. Mr. Espayat. I. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss. Frankle. I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No, Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Ivy. Hi, Mr. Ivy. I Mr. Joyce.
▶ 6:26:31Mr. Joyce. No, Miss Captor. I Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No, Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I Miss Llo. Miss Llo. No, Mr. Lean. I Mr. Lean. I miss Mallaloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss McCullum. Hi. Miss McCullum. I Miss Mr. Molinar. Mr. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. I. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Murvan.
▶ 6:27:03Yes. M. Mr. Mvan. I Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss. Perez. Miss. Perez. I. Miss. Pingri. Miss. Ping. I. Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. I Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Rashenthaler. Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford, no. Mr. Simpson, no. Mr. Simpson, no. Mr. Strong, Mr. Strong, no. Mrs.
▶ 6:27:31Torres, Miss Underwood, hi. Miss Underwood, I Mr. Valado. Mr. Valido, no. Miss Werman Schultz, hi. Miss Wasserman Schultz, I Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Watson Coleman, I Mr. Wack, Mr. WAC, No. Mr. Zinci, Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Mr. Diaz Mr. Diaz Bolard. No.
▶ 6:28:02Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Any others? Miss Ming. I. Are there any others wishing to record or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 6:28:53On this vote, the eyes are 27, the nose are 34. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or Gentle lady from Florida, Mr. Wson Schultz is recognized for an amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to desk and I ask unanimous consent that it be considered as red.
▶ 6:29:25Gentle ladies recognized to presenter amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment is an attempt to seek transparency from this administration as it relates to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Since Doge was allowed access to VA, we've heard countless horror stories of improper access to veterans sensitive information.
▶ 6:29:46And this amendment is an attempt to understand if these stories are true and if so, how we as a Congress and as the appropriations committee can hold this administration accountable, which is part of our constitutional responsibility. We've heard that Doge led the way in implementing the illegal firings of probationary employees. We've heard that they gained access to nearly all IT systems at VA, even systems they have no business being in. Systems that have private information for veterans, including their social security numbers, bio data, and disability status.
▶ 6:30:14It should not be a partisan issue to want to ensure that veteran information is protected. Doge apparently created software and artificial intelligence systems that arbitrarily decided which VA contracts to cancel, leading to contract cancellations of research programs related to quote biodiversity simply because the word diversity was part of the contract because it's part of the word Yet, when we ask VA to verify or dispute these stories, we hear nothing back.
▶ 6:30:42The VA has become a black box with political appointees refusing to even acknowledge what we all know that Doge is running wild at the VA. Disturbingly, we've also heard that Doge created a software system that censors VA staff, not allowing them to use certain words in emails. Words like reduction in force. What exactly is this administration afraid of? Do they know that these actions are illegal and that's why they refuse to acknowledge that this is happening?
▶ 6:31:08These actions pose tremendous risks to veteran privacy and to our national security. All this amendment does is ask GAO, our agency, to investigate this, report back to us on what really is happening with Doge at VA and ensure that veteran personal information is protected. It's a simple amendment. You can stand up to protect the private sensitive information of our veterans who laid it all on the line for our nation. or you can side with unvetted hacks who could spill all this personal data online and into the stratosphere.
▶ 6:31:39This amendment makes clear if the choice is between unvetted Doge disruptors or our veterans, this committee sides with America's brave heroes who put on a uniform to protect all of us. Very simple. I think I know where I I certainly know where I come down and I hope that every other everyone else on the committee does as well. I urge you to support this amendment. Yield back. Thank you. Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter, is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 6:32:08I rise in opposition to this amendment. The VA is taking several actions to restore best practices within its system to ensure veterans are receiving the best care and timely benefits. Doge employees were hired through VA to review contracts to eliminate waste within the department. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
▶ 6:32:40Gentle lady from Texas, Miss Escobar is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to Miss Werman Schultz for this amendment. I'd like my colleagues to know just how important this amendment is. I get to serve on the Homeland Security subcommittee led by ranking member uh Underwood uh and chairman Amade.
▶ 6:33:07And when we were visited by SISA recently, one of the questions that I asked was about Doge or doggy as Mr. Amday prefers that we call it. Um that's right. Thank you. Um and we have read all sorts of accounts about Doge doggy.
▶ 6:33:32Um I have been alarmed about accounts or alarmed by accounts that they have shared information via Gmail instead of by secure email accounts. We have all read information about personal data that they've accessed. I continue to be asked about this at my town hall meetings. I don't know about all of you, but my constituents are concerned about it.
▶ 6:34:00So when SISA came before our homeland committee, I asked specifically if SISA could look into this, if SISA was aware of whether any malign actors were able to access this data that is being shared by the young people that Elon Musk brought in. I have yet to receive an answer to that question from SISA.
▶ 6:34:25So if we cannot get this information from the administration so that we can then tell our what was accessed whether we can guarantee to our constituents that their private data hasn't been leaked on the dark web by Elon Musk's uh army of 20somes.
▶ 6:34:47then at the very least we should support this amendment so that we can make sure that our veterans private data has not been leaked as protected and has not been accessed by malign actors. So this is an another easy one to support.
▶ 6:35:05uh this would help create that transparency and if the administration is not going to give us that information then at the very least we should have direct access uh through this amendment. Thank you and I yield back Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. Gentleman from Indiana, Mr. M Van is recognized. Uh thank you sir.
▶ 6:35:30Uh it's unacceptable that DOJ's meddling at the VA has wiped out millions of uh in contracts, harming veteran care and dishonoring our national promise to those who served. While I recognize the need to improve efficiencies and cut red tape, the recklessness and lack of oversight is putting highly sensitive information about our veterans at risk. This amendment will help us better understand the extent of the damage that doge has inflicted on the VA systems and how our veterans and VA employees are affected.
▶ 6:35:59As a past chairman of the technology modernization, I just want to articulate the fact that one of the number one topics that VSO organizations would talk about is making sure you protected the health uh records of the veterans who served our country. With that, I support this amendment. Are there any other membershing to address the amendment?
▶ 6:36:34Oh, okay. Give the gentle lady from Florida one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let's just be clear, my colleagues. We routinely assign the government accountability office to do studies like this and come back to us with reports so that we have more transparency and understanding into what is going on in in various agencies.
▶ 6:37:00uh we've assigned them the responsibility of helping to make sure that the CVC years ago when I was the chair of the legis branch committee we gave GAO that responsibility to help hold us account hold the process accountable and bring that project in for into in for a landing we've given them the responsibility on EHRM to assist us in trying to make sure that there's more transparency and accountability there and what this would do is it makes sure that we understand because
▶ 6:37:31VA is not answering our questions about the rumaging around that they have been doing um with unfettered access to veterans personal private information. That should bother all of us. We deserve answers and we have the responsibility here and an opportunity to give J GAO the chance to investigate and tell us. I'm not sure why anyone would oppose that. It's certainly not coming down on the side of veterans to do so. So, I urge your support for the amendment and I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 6:38:00The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Florida. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair of the nose have Recorded vote has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. A recorded votes ordered. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. Mr. Adhalt. No. Mr. Aguular. I Mr. Aguular. I Mr. Alfred Mr. Alfred No Mr.
▶ 6:38:30Amday Mr. Ammeday no Mrs. Bice Mrs. Bice no Mr. Bishop yes Mr. Bishop I Mr. Calbertt Mr. Calbert no Mr. Carter no Mr. Carter no Mr. Case Mr. Case I Mr. Mr. Sisammani no Mr. Klein Mr. Klein no Mr. Cloud Mr. Klyurn Mr. Klyurn I Mr. Clyde Mr. Clyde no Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quay. Mr. Quay.
▶ 6:39:00I Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I Mr. Deloro. Mr. Luro. I Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elie. Mr. Else. No. Miss Escobar. M. Escobar. I. Mr. Espay. Mr. Estra. Espay. I. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss. Frankle. Miss. Frank. I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. M. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest? No. Mr. Guest? No. Mr. Harter. Mr. Harter. I Dr. Harris.
▶ 6:39:31Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I. Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I. Miss. Let Miss Llo. No. Mr. Lean. Hi. Mr. Lean. I Miss Mallaloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Mr. McCullik. Miss Miss McCullum.
▶ 6:40:01I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Hi. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Mvan. Hi. Mr. Mann. I. Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss. Miss. Pingri. Miss Pingri. I. Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. I. Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley I. Mr. Russianthaler. Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford. Mr.
▶ 6:40:31Rutherford. No. Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. I. Miss Underwood. I Miss Underwood. I. Mr. Valido. Mr. Valado. No. Mrs. Ms. Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson. Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. WAC. Mr. Mr. WC. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No.
▶ 6:40:59Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Mr. Perez. I Any other members? That case the clerk will tally.
▶ 6:41:50On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nodes are 34, the amendments not adopted. Is there any further amendment or Gentle lady from Ohio, Miss Captor, recognized for an amendment. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chairman, uh, the amendment that I wish to propose at the desk. Uh, it's at the desk, but the clerk will read the amendment 12 on the sheet. Okay.
▶ 6:42:20Number 12. And does the general lady wish us to dispense with reading the amendment? That'd be great. I think we finally found unonymity here. Without objection. Thank you. Without objection, the reading of the amendments dispensed with. Uh the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 6:42:42Um just so everyone knows, this is number 13, which means we if we are successful in passing this or at least debating it, um we will be one-third through of what's on the sheet for tonight. So, uh, my amendment, uh, concerns America's contribution to NATO's infrastructure.
▶ 6:43:03Defending American liberty means knowing who America's true allies are and also which nations undermine liberty globally. My amendment would increase funding for the NATO security investment program by 1888 million. I think that's about 17th of what Ohio takes in on its lottery every year.
▶ 6:43:26Uh this will ensure that the account is fully funded for the alliance's FY26 infrastructure and security needs. If you have any doubt about uh why this is important, follow Russia's decade long unprovoked war on the nation of Ukraine.
▶ 6:43:48The level requested is to compensate for underfunding due to last year's continuing resolution, difficulties with that and the delays in this year's completed appropriation bills under regular order. Last year, the free world recognized 75 years of NATO's existence. NATO is the free world's indispensable alliance for liberty and our defense.
▶ 6:44:17It was founded in the wake of the greatest victory of liberty over tyranny in World War II and the 20th century's greatest Recently, I was privileged to work on a bipartisan basis in the House to gather over 32 ambassadors and world leaders from each of the countries that are part of NATO. Uh each represents a nation in the NATO alliance.
▶ 6:44:42We met here on the House side of the capital along with members of Congress to demonstrate our chamber's continued commitment to NATO's unity and strength. The turnout was impressive and I believe necessary.
▶ 6:44:57It is no secret that a spiderweb of tyranny is spinning a web to threaten our western democracies and pose greater threats to our shared security from dictatorships the likes of Russia, Iran, China, North Korea and if you missed it perhaps uh the um enlistment of Cuban conscripts in that web of tyranny.
▶ 6:45:22In response to these real threats, the free world through NATO must strengthen relationships with our allies around the globe. Liberty lovers should applaud the recent historic expansion of NATO with the important addition of Finland and Sweden. Liberty Shield has been standing resolute with our partners in Liberty. Our common struggle is against Vladimir Putin's tyranny and Russia's unprovoked and illegal invasion to dismantle the free nation of Ukraine.
▶ 6:45:52This predatory and severe violation of international law has triggered the largest war on the European continent since World War II. With 11 time zones, Russia chose to invade its neighbor and is stealing its assets through orders from Vladimir Putin, plundering every town as they rush into that nation.
▶ 6:46:18Contrary to what some might claim, it is not just the United States funding our collective security. Europe is stepping up to the plate and it's well known that Russia's predation extends across had extended across three quarters of Europe until 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed under the weight of its own corruption and economic failure. As of 2024, at least two countries, Poland and Estonia, spend a higher percent of their GDP on defense than we do.
▶ 6:46:48Fewer than 10 NATO allies of 32 members spend less than their 2% goal. And many are already approving budgets that you probably have read about that are growing their defense commitments toward the new 5% goal. And I commend President Trump for pushing them in that direction. They've heard it. That collective increase in funding is a necessary response to the immediate threat that Vladimir Putin's Russia poses to the alliance.
▶ 6:47:18It is not an excuse for America to step down or decrease its funding levels as this bill does. Without a strong NATO, with America meeting its historic obligation, Putin's war would have overrun Ukraine and undoubtedly spread to adjacent NATO countries. I think we can all remember there was a time again when Russia's predation extended across three quarters of Europe. We don't want to go back.
▶ 6:47:46Let free people stand with our NATO allies, joining an alliance together. The free world can remain the most powerful platform to extend liberty by choice and not by conquest. I urge you all to support this amendment. Thank you and I yield back. Thank you very much. Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this The amendment does not have an offset and we cannot accept it.
▶ 6:48:15While I do not oppose additional funding for NATO's security investment program, we need to prioritize the construction needs of our military forces first. We will consider potential increases for NATO as the FY26 unfolds, but cannot accept the amendment without an offset. I urge my colleagues to oppose oppose this amendment.
▶ 6:48:49Lady from Gentle Lady from Florida, Miss Wasserman Schultz is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in strong support of this amendment. I will just remind my colleagues that we don't have any 302B adopted. So, we don't have anything we're marking this bill to. And so there really isn't a need for an offset because we can pretty much just pick a number.
▶ 6:49:15Um, as uh as Putin continues his unprovoked war in Ukraine, this is not the time to walk away from our commitments to our allies in Europe. NATO infrastructure, especially in Europe, has suffered over the course of many years of inadequate funding prioritization. To meet the threat posed by Putin's aggression and to correct for underinvestment, the alliance agreed to boost spending through this mutual infrastructure program through 2030.
▶ 6:49:40Our NATO allies have already paid a disproportionate share of NATO security investment program costs in recent years. The argument that the US should not pay for infrastructure to defend Europe is based on a false premise. And I understand that the the chairman's not making that argument, but others probably feel that way.
▶ 6:49:59Um, beyond it being a shared commitment of the alliance that has only evoked article 5 once to come to the defense of the United States after se September 11th, many of these infrastructure projects directly benefit US troops and US requirements, not just NATO requirements writ large. We have almost 84,000 US service members in Europe, and we have to house and care for them just as if they were stateside. But this bill would underfund the program by $188 million, below what even President Trump requested.
▶ 6:50:28And making matters worse, US contributions have already lagged due to the late and insufficient funding provided by the fullear continuing resolution for FY25. Years of flat funding for this program will have disproportionate negative impacts. Defense construction projects in general are complex programs to plan and budget for. This program in particular has the added processes that come along with joint planning and concurrence within a large alliance structure.
▶ 6:50:54So inconsistency from the United States when we should be the stable leader of the alliance makes it much harder for NATO to meet its infrastructure goals and needs. Project cost share agreements are negotiated far in advance and underfunding the program in this bill will not change that. It will only short change the commitments the United States has already made. So I hope that the members of this committee on both sides of the aisle agree that we should stand by our allies and now is not the time to reneg on our commitments to NATO infrastructure.
▶ 6:51:21And I want to thank Congresswoman Captor for her leadership on this issue and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. We have other uh do any other members seek recognition to speak to the Gentle lady from Maine is recognized to address the amendment. Miss P. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 6:51:43Um I can be brief on I know a lot of things have been kind of upside down in the congressional world that we all live in, but I really never thought I would see something as upside down as Congress deciding not to fund NATO. I understand the argument that there has to be an offset, although I thought the ranking member of the committee made a good point. We don't have three or two allocations, so we're not actually marking to anything.
▶ 6:52:08And just the fact is uh it's just so unusual to think that Congress would ever get to this moment where we say it's not important to fund NATO. Uh a lot of people when the Ukraine war broke out said uh one of the amazing things that Putin did was it brought countries all over the world together to understand the importance of NATO and restrengthened our alliances and got us all recommitted again. But we have lost that enthusiasm it appears.
▶ 6:52:35Um and this amendment or this uh lack of funding in the bill is uh indicative of that. So I just want to reinforce what my colleagues have said. Uh it sends a critical message to our key allies when we decide not to fund something. It certainly sends the wrong message to Russia um about our commitment to the war in Ukraine and our commitment to our alliances. Um and we made a promise to our NATO pro partners.
▶ 6:53:03We're constantly saying they should pay more of their share. We've witnessed countries throughout Europe and others who have shown their uh interest in increasing the amount of funding that they give to NATO. Uh we should follow suit here and I urge people to support this amendment. Thank you very much. Gentleman from Maryland. Mr. Hoy is recognized to address the amendment. Mr. Mr.
▶ 6:53:28Chairman, I rise in strong support of the administration's Do any of you care? This is an important amendment. This is not just a throwaway. Chamberlain thought his actions were just a throwaway.
▶ 6:53:52Maybe he'd buy some I wear this pin every day. I think America's freedom, I think democracy success is at stake. Many of you fought in the military.
▶ 6:54:13And had we met the enemy strongly at the beginning, we may never have had the That's what peace through strength means. Strength is not retreating in the face of your enemy.
▶ 6:54:31Strength is not saying we'll give up eastern Strength is not saying we'll give up Strength is not saying whatever you want to do, Mr. Putin, you go ahead and do. In this case, the administration has said, as Miss Pingri has pointed out, we're going to keep our NATO commitments as we expect you to do. And as 23 of the 28 NATO nations is doing.
▶ 6:55:03This is not simply some throw throwaway amendment that all of you will vote no and all of us will vote yes and well, we did our job. People are watching us. And some of those people live in Russia. Some of them pe some of those people live in the Kremlin. Some of those people uh live in Iran. Some live in North Korea.
▶ 6:55:33Some live in China. They're watching. Does America have the stomach to stay the course? Does America have the stomach to confront despatism and dictators and those who steal children from countries and take them to their own? Are we unwilling?
▶ 6:55:58Are we unable because we're so partisan to respond to that viewing to say America is strong and America will stand with its allies and America stands against despatism and and aggression and criminal behavior on the international level?
▶ 6:56:22Are we so partisan that we cannot even discuss and come to a rational judgment on that? I've had very long talks with Senator McConnell and he and I are both very that we have somehow forgotten the lessons of history, forgotten the lessons of weakness, forgotten why we stay peace through strength.
▶ 6:56:49When I came to Congress in 1981, I supported almost every one of Ronald Reagan's buildup of the Defense Department. Not in a partisan way, but in a nonpartisan way. John Kennedy, when I was a young man, said we have a missile gap. He was wrong. But what he was saying is we're going to keep pace. We're going to confront our enemies. Do not believe America is going to slink away.
▶ 6:57:19and don't believe America is going to give up its allies territory to a thief in violation of international law. Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Congress of the United States.
▶ 6:57:36And yes, we're Democrats, and yes, we're But by golly, I hope we remember that we are Americans first and that we are the leader of the free and we will not sound this uncertain trumpet tonight.
▶ 6:57:57that maybe we'll stick with the administration in this case and send that message to NATO, to Russia, to Iran, to North Korea, and to as Ronald Reagan said, is prepared and will out compete you right now.
▶ 6:58:23The Russians in four months, in three months, excuse me, are producing more more artillery, more ordinance than all of NATO, America, and Canada combined can produce in a year. Let us not retreat.
▶ 6:58:45Let us stand up and say we are America and we will not allow you to win by intimidation, by threat, by breaking international law. Let us stand as the world's leader.
▶ 6:59:05Vote I Are there other members seeking recognition to address the amendment? There's no further debate.
▶ 6:59:23The gentle lady's recognized for one minute to I would just ask my colleagues to reflect on what's been said today. Think about what's happening globally as we speak.
▶ 6:59:40Think about what just happened a few weeks ago with the uh Russian uh drones over um uh Ukraine, but also the Ukrainian drones over Russia and uh the demands to our generation, to our time and generation, to do what is in the interest of liberty on our watch. I ask for support of this amendment in the cause of freedom.
▶ 7:00:10Thank you. I yield back. Thank you. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Ohio. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair. The nose have it. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. Uh, thank you. A U clerk will uh call the role. Mr.
▶ 7:00:40Adhalt. Mr. Adhalt. No. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Amade. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Spice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I Mr. Clyde.
▶ 7:01:11Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Mr. Quayrar. I. Mine. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Loro. Mr. Loro. I. Mr. Diaz Balard. Mr. Diaz Bolt. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elie. Mr. Elie. No. Miss Escobar. Hi. Miss Escobar. I Mr. Espayat. Mr. Espayat. I Mr. Flashman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss Frankle. I Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin.
▶ 7:01:41No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Hi. Mr. Harter. I Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. I. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. No. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I. Miss.
▶ 7:02:11Let Miss Llo. No. Mr. Levan. Hi. Mr. Levan. I. Miss. Malloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss. McCullum. Miss. McCullum. I. Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I. Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Mr. Mr. Mlli I Mr. Murvan I Mr. Morvan I Mr. New House Mr. New House No Miss Perez Miss Perez I Miss Pingri Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr.
▶ 7:02:41Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Russianthaler Mr. Russianthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Rutherford Mr. Rutherford no Mr. Simpson Mr. Simpson no Mr. Strong Mr. No Mr. Miss Underwood. Hi. Miss Underwood. I Mr. Valido. Mr. Valido. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Mrs. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman.
▶ 7:03:12Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wack. Mr. Wack. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Do any members uh wish to record their vote or change their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 7:04:03on this vote. The eyes are 27, the nose are 34 and the amendment is not adopted. Is there f is there further amendment or Mr. Bishop of Georgia is recognized for an amendment. Thank you very much. Uh Mr. Chairman, uh ranking member Delora, thank you for the opportunity to recommend an amendment that would add report language.
▶ 7:04:33Um would the gentleman uh like the amendment read or would he prefer that be dispensed with? I'm sorry. I'd like to have an amendment at the desk. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentleman is recognized for remarks in support of his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 7:04:56This amendment uh would add report language that's really vital to our You know, veterans want to receive their care and they want to receive it at VA medical centers and clinics. Uh veteran service organizations uh have done polls, surveys, and the advocacy groups have communicated this message.
▶ 7:05:23They like having their medical records accessible in one location. They like their specialty clinics, labs, and pharmacies in one location. Uh they like VA providers that are more knowledgeable with what veterans need. Uh they like quicker communication between their primary care and specialty care And we should be investing money in our veteran affairs medical centers and our veteran affairs medical clinics.
▶ 7:05:54We should be hiring the best doctors, modernizing with the most up-to-date finding a way to make the VA medical centers and clinics more accessible and more effective for our veterans. Items we know will make a positive difference in veterans care.
▶ 7:06:17we have an unprecedented funding increase for community care through the VA that is answering a problem that we're not really sure is there, at least at the magnitude that deserves a 67% increase in community care funding, which is outside the VA.
▶ 7:06:43This amendment would help us to figure out if there is an actual need for an increase in community care funding of that magnitude and where exactly that increase is being spent. Something that should have been reported by the VA or the GAO before this increase in funding was allocated.
▶ 7:07:08Spending on community care should be focused on care that is not offered or accessible at the VA medical center or specific to those veterans who have accessibility concerns like those in my district living in rural areas where the VA medical center is not a feasible option which is the case in many rural communities across America.
▶ 7:07:35A spin plan provided by this amendment. The report language would also ensure that our committee and the department of veterans have veteran care as their focus and not project 2025. That agenda for privatizing the VA medical system.
▶ 7:08:01A privatized VA medical system goes against what our veterans want and it goes against what they need. VFW, American Legion, the DAV, and numerous other veteran service will tell you that the department should present these plans quarterly.
▶ 7:08:26Present them for review by our committee as a check in a balance as was designed in the constitution. So, I urge this committee, both sides of the aisle, to support this amendment and to demonstrate that we're able to put veteran care ahead of partisan politics. We don't want to privatize the VA.
▶ 7:08:58Our veterans don't want the VA pass this amendment so we can actually know how this community care money will be spent to make sure that is spent for a VA that will truly take care of the wants, the needs, the desires of our veterans. With that, I urge the adoption of this amendment and I yel back.
▶ 7:09:28I thank the gentleman. Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. Given the growth in the pro in this in the program, this amendment was conceptually a good idea.
▶ 7:09:46It could have been used to hold VA Unfortunately, the other side of the aisle did not want to work constructively in a bipartisan manner and instead will likely use this as another baseless talking point about how we are privatizing health care at the VA and reference to project 2025. As you have seen, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment.
▶ 7:10:18Thank you. The gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wasserman Schultz, recognized that to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I rise in support of the amendment and I'm a little confused because I'm not aware of any discussion that took place on reaching compromise language on this uh on this amendment. Um, so I'd be glad to be illuminated if that were the case.
▶ 7:10:43Um, this bill includes the administration's request for $34 billion uh or a 67% increase to medical community care, which is an unprecedented increase and a representation of this administration's desire to implement the VA's privatization scheme that's outlined in project 2025. There is no evidence that there is a valid need to increase private care by over 2/3. So, all this amendment does is ask for answers. Why is this 67% increase needed?
▶ 7:11:12I I just keep asking myself, why do our friends on the other side of the aisle don't want answers to questions from the administration about the way they are proposing to spend funds or about the cuts they're making indiscriminately, the impoundment that that that is occurring of funds that we've already appropriated and now 67% increase in community care with no justification for why it's needed. We're moving forward.
▶ 7:11:41We're marking up all our bills without a full budget request. We've not seen any justification materials from VA. Why are we accepting this administration's proposal for $34 billion without providing any justification? We've seen study after study that veterans prefer to receive their care at VA. And under the previous administration, veteran trust and VA medical care reached an historic 92%.
▶ 7:12:05We should be taking this money and putting it into the VA, expanding access to rural veterans health care and investing in teleaalth. In addition, there are many studies that show that for many veterans, it is quicker to get an appointment at the VA than it is in the community. And there of course will be always valid reasons for a veteran to be referred to community care, but none that support a 67% increase.
▶ 7:12:28In everyday life, whether we're renovating a home or contracting out services, if someone came to us and say said, "Costs have grown by 67%." I bet we'd all ask why. I bet we'd all ask, "How did that happen?" This amendment asks VA to tell us how they plan to spend this increase and justify its need, which we do all the time. I ask I want to thank Congressman Bush for leading on this issue. This is a common sense amendment.
▶ 7:12:54It is fiscally responsible and I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back. Thank you. The gentle lady from Connecticut, ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Los recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I rise in support of this amendment which requires a spend plan for the community care funding included in this bill. Transparency and clarity have been a const constant demand from Democrats for the past few months.
▶ 7:13:24We are nearly halfway through the year and we still do not have spend plans or other necessary details from the administration. Keep in mind that in the continuing resolution that was passed in March and I might add all but one Democratic voted against it and I virtually I think mo most all of the Republicans voted for that.
▶ 7:13:46There was a requirement in that continuing resolution that the agencies come forward with a spend plan which was due in April at the end of April. We are now almost mid June, halfway through the year, we do not have spend plans or other necessary details from the administration. And I I I just might add in almost every agency we are looking at.
▶ 7:14:15My colleague uh the the ranking member is right. What what are we hiding here? Why don't we have any budget details? What do they want to spend? What do they want to spend it on? And and and the madness of all of this is that we don't have a budget and we don't have we don't have allocations. We are just, you know, maybe pulling numbers out of the air.
▶ 7:14:42We are also demanding that Congress act to address the cost of living, especially the cost of health care, which is increasing an increasing burden for so many households, especially for our veterans. This amen amendment attempts to address both of these This majority is proposing $34 billion for community care, an increase of 67% which siphons taxpayer dollars off to private sector medicine outside
▶ 7:15:13the VA that have every incentive to charge as much as they can and they can get away with it. They are trying to privatize the VA just like with the post office and now with public education and at every other government agency that helps Americans. They are dismantling the government to benefit billionaires.
▶ 7:15:36Data shows that since the Veterans Community Choice Program was implemented, funding has increased drastically from 14.8 8 billion in fiscal year 2018 to 28.5 billion in 2023. Furthermore, as costs have increased, there is very little insight about the quality and the timeliness of community care.
▶ 7:15:58What little research data we have suggests that community care is often neither more accessible nor of higher quality to the care that is provided by the Veterans Administration. I would welcome a conversation as to how we can improve this program, make it more affordable, extending teleaalth services, utilization reviews, or bring veterans back to the B VA for follow-up care that can be provided in a timelier and higher quality manner
▶ 7:16:29after an initial encounter with private sector medicine. However, this administration has no desire to do that. Instead, this bill puts Project 2025's plan to fully privatize medical care for our veterans into action. They are not hiding or hiding in plain sight. They're telling us what they want to do.
▶ 7:16:53We cannot content with handing a blank check to the White House. Why do we serve on an appropriations committee? If we want to transfer the authority of this committee to the executive, and I don't care who the executive is, a Republican or a Democrat. That's not why I want to serve on this committee.
▶ 7:17:19I want to preserve the power of this appropriations committee and the power of the purse. We cannot be okay with allowing billions in taxpayers dollars to be siphoned away from proven programs into the pockets of private clinics that will overcharge and underdel at every opportunity. I urge my colleagues to support the bishop amendment and I yield back.
▶ 7:17:48Are there other me are there other members wishing to address the If there's no further debate, uh, the gentle the gentleman's recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 7:18:09Community care should be provided when our veterans cannot get the care they need at a veteran's facility. That's what they want. That's what they ask for where care is not offered or not accessible at a VA center. Yes. Fund the community care off for veterans who have accessibility problems.
▶ 7:18:39They live in rural areas far far from accessible care for them. If the VA is not a feasible option, yes. But here this is just excessive.
▶ 7:18:58It is just a a ruse and a disguised way to implement the project 2025 blueprint which we see unfolding every single day.
▶ 7:19:1367% increase, $34 billion for community care, which veterans don't want and frankly don't need, is not appropriate, and I urge the adoption of this amendment for the good of our veterans and their families. I yield back. Thank you. Questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No.
▶ 7:19:42The opinion of the chair, the nos have it. Call. Roll call has been requested. Uh, sufficient number of hands have been raised. The clerk uh will call the role. Mr. Adhalt, no. Mr. Adhalt, no. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Ammeday. No. Mrs. M. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop.
▶ 7:20:12I Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calvert. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I Mr. Ciscomani. Mr. Ciscomani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Klyurn. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. I. Mr. Quaar. I. Miss I. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Loro. Hi. Mr. Loro. I. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr.
▶ 7:20:42Edwards, no. Mr. Edwards, no. Mr. Elie, no. Mr. Ellie, no. Miss Escobar, hi. Miss Escobar, I. Mr. Espott, hi. Mr. Espat, I Mr. Fleshman. No. Mr. Fleshman, no. Miss Frankle. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson, no. Mr.
▶ 7:21:12Hoyer, Mr. Hoyer, I Mr. Ivy, Mr. Ivy, I Mr. Joyce, no. Mr. Joyce, no. Miss Captor, hi. Miss Captor, I Mr. Loa, Mr. Loa, no. Miss Lee, Miss Lee, I Miss Lllo, no. Miss Llo, no. Mr. Leven, hi. Mr. Lean, I miss Mallaloy. Miss Malloy, no. Miss McCullum, hi. Miss McCullum, I miss Ming. Hi, Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar Mr.
▶ 7:21:41Molinar no Mr. Moore no Mr. Moore no Mr. Morelli I Mr. Morelli I Mr. Morvan Mr. Murvan I Mr. New House Mr. New House no Miss Perez Miss Pingri yes Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Rashenthaler Mr. Rashenthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Mr. Ruford. Mr. Rutherford. No. Mr.
▶ 7:22:11Simpson. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Miss Underwood. Yes. M. Underwood. I. Mr. Valido. No. Mr. Valado. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wac. Mr. Wack. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record or change their vote?
▶ 7:22:43Gentlemen from I. Mr. Harter. I Perez. Yes. Miss Perez. Gentle lady from Pennsylvania. Okay. Gentle lady from Miss Frank. Miss Frank. She said I. Gentle lady from Oklahoma. Mrs. Bice. No. Any other members wish to change or record their vote? Mr.
▶ 7:23:08Torres clerk will tally The
▶ 7:23:53gentle lady is not recorded. Mr. Resai. On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nos are 34, the amendments not adopted. Is there any further amendment or discussion?
▶ 7:24:20I believe the gentleman from Georgia is recognized for an amendment. Thank you, Chairman Cole. Thank you, Member Delora. Thank you for this opportunity to recommend another amendment that is vital to our veterans. Um would the gentleman like us to dispense with the reading? I'd like to uh I do have an amendment at the desk. Thank you. Gentleman uh ask that we dispense with the marks.
▶ 7:24:49So gentleman's recognized to explain his amendment. Thank you Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Veterans are at a 58% higher risk of suicide than those who have not served. The suicide hotline has become a critical resource for the veterans in crisis.
▶ 7:25:14As of April 2024, 7.7 million calls, 700 I mean 941,000 chats, and 377,000 text messages have led to a referral of more than 1.5 million veterans to suicide prevention coordinators. The suicide hotline receives approximately 2,100 calls a day.
▶ 7:25:44and that has steadily increased due to the recent addition of text message The suicide hotline is especially important for veterans that reside in rural areas where depression levels are higher and access to health care is more I know it's true in my district. Half of my district is urban, but the other half is rural. And there are veterans all across that district.
▶ 7:26:15When Doge announced the federal firings, my offices in my district and here in DC received calls by veterans, veterans advocacy groups concerned about the suicide hotline and the potential that it would have uh to being shut down or having the services degraded.
▶ 7:26:39Veterans lives were at stake, they all I was alarmed at Secretary Collins admission to firing 24 suicide hotline employees erroneously. He said, "We don't know when exactly they were fired, for how long, or if all of these essential workers were all hired back.
▶ 7:27:04Veterans have demonstrated this is a critical resource and it deserves accountability for the actions that led to those firings to make sure that it does not happen again. Errors require accountability. The secretary himself said these firings were erroneous.
▶ 7:27:25The amendment will provide that I'm asking for our committee to require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a report that provides this committee, but more importantly, our veterans population, the number of suicide hotline employees that were fired, and the impact on veterans to weight times, the number of suicides during the period of
▶ 7:27:55reduced support. That is the period from January 2025 to June of 2025. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment as a demonstration of good faith to our veterans that we will hold the Department of Veterans Affairs responsible for a lapse in care for the could be and may have been
▶ 7:28:25a veteran's that I yield back and urge the adoption of the amendment. Thank you very very much. Uh my friend, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized for his perspective on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment.
▶ 7:28:46This amendment calls for an unnecessary GAO report on for 24 employees who are temporarily disconnected from VA. These are not frontline employees as defined by the department. These employees have all been reinstated.
▶ 7:29:05I urge my colleagues to oppose this Gentle lady from Florida, the ranking member of the subcommittee, Miss Washington Schultz, recognized for her perspective on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 7:29:20I rise in support of this When crisis line employees were fired, Secretary Collins denounced these claims by putting out a YouTube video in which he says, and I quote, quoting him, "We did not, hear me clearly, lay off any veteran crisis line responder," unquote. However, in a letter to Senator Baldwin a few weeks later, he admitted that he did indeed he did indeed fire 24 employees at the veterans crisis line.
▶ 7:29:48My office heard from a veteran who trains those answering the crisis line calls. She was fired. Now, why would we want to protect those people whose job it is to ensure that those on the front lines of this mental health war have the proper training? I don't know. Maybe to save some lives. This Congress, veterans, and the public need to know exactly what happened. That is why we keep asking for transparency.
▶ 7:30:15Reports by the GEO, GAO will provide that to us. When he was questioned about this, Secretary Collins at our hearing, he refused to acknowledge the untruth that he told and instead pivoted to say that not a single call to the crisis line went unanswered. I don't know what's true anymore. And frankly, since he wasn't honest about the staff firings, how are we able to believe that not a single call went unanswered?
▶ 7:30:41This amendment seeks to find those answers so that we can conduct proper oversight and ensure that veterans have access to this life-saving resource. I don't care how many employees were fired. This is the veterans crisis line. There are 20 to 22 veterans committing suicide every single day.
▶ 7:31:05I would think that we wouldn't put a number on how many lives actually matter before we want to get answers through a simple request to the GAO that this amendment would require to give us the information necessary to make sure that we can save veterans lives. I appreciate Congressman Bishop's introduction of this amendment and urge my colleagues to support it. Yield back the balance of my time. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 7:31:37There's no further debate. The gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have an obligation on this committee to insist on accountability. There was obviously no accountability when the decision was made to slash those jobs.
▶ 7:32:06It just came out of the Elon Musk Our veterans were put at risk. We don't know how many lost their lives.
▶ 7:32:24We do know finally there was an admission that 24 at the crisis land lost their jobs they were reoffered.
▶ 7:32:43However, we need to know this is a simple way to give us the information we need to make sure it never ever happens again. I urge adoption of this amendment. I yield back. Thank the gentlemen. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. No.
▶ 7:33:12the opinion of the chair of the nose have it. A uh a roll call has been requested. A sufficient number of hands have uh risen and the clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. Mr. Adder Halt. No. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Agular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs.
▶ 7:33:43Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I Mr. Calbert. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Hi. Mr. Quay. I miss I Mr.
▶ 7:34:13Lauro. Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elsie. Miss Escobar. Mr. Espott. Miss Espott. I'm sorry. Miss Escobar votes I. Mr. Espottes I. Mr. Fleshman. No. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss. Frankle. Hi. ML I Mr. Franklin Mr. Franklin no Mr.
▶ 7:34:43Gonzalez Mr. Gonzalez no Mr. Guest Mr. Guest no Mr. Harter Mr. Harter I Dr. Harris Dr. Harris no Mrs. Henson Mrs. Henson no Mr. Hoyer Mr. Hoyer I Mr. Ivy Mr. Ivy I Mr. Joyce no Mr. Joyce no Miss Captor I Miss Captor I Mr. Loa no Mr. Mr. Loa, no.
▶ 7:35:10Miss Lee, Miss Latlo, Miss Latlo, no. Mr. Leven, hi. Mr. Lean, I miss Malloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss McCullum. Hi, Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. I. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Murvan. I. Mr. Moran. I Mr. New House. Mr.
▶ 7:35:40New House. No. Miss Miss Perez. I Miss Pingri. Miss Pingry. I Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. I Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford. No. Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. I. Mr. Underwood. Yes. M. Underwood. I. Hi. Mr. Valido, no. Mr.
▶ 7:36:09Valido, no. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wac. Mr. Wac. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from Texas. No. Mr. Else, no. Gentle lady from Nevada. Yes. Miss Lee, I gentleman from Arizona. Mr. Ciscomani. No.
▶ 7:36:39Gentle lady from Oklahoma. Mrs. Bice. Snow. Gentleman from Florida. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Gentle lady from Connecticut. Mr. Luro. I Are there any other members wishing to change or record their vote? Clerk will tally. Gentleman from Maryland. How's the gentleman from Maryland recorded?
▶ 7:37:10Mr. Ivy. Oh, did you? I'm sorry. I was afraid you were coming in and we were about to miss Now the government
▶ 7:37:59On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nose are 34. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Quay, is recognized for amendment. Gentleman has an amendment at the desk. Gentlemen, Mr. Chairman, I ask that we dispense with a reading. Without objection, the reading the amendments dispensed with and the gentleman's recognized for remarks on his amendment. Mr.
▶ 7:38:28Chairman, I have an amendment that deals with efficiency, competition, performance, and contract management requirements. It has uh members and chairman and ranking member four parts. First part deals with performance and regulatory efficiency reviews. The second part deals with contracting procurement standards. And as you know, give me one contract out there that starts off with a certain amount and before you know it, as soon as that contractor gets a contract, it goes over cost.
▶ 7:38:57We've heard that in defense, we heard that in Homeland, we've heard this in every single uh uh committee. Uh the third part deals with quarterly oversight reporting and the last part deals with development and submissions of updated performance measures. Now, the the appropriation bill already has some parts of it uh scattered throughout the appropriations. We already have some provisions in there. We just want to put it a comprehensive place to review this.
▶ 7:39:28Um and it's also under the law that we passed in 2010, the government performance and results modernization that calls for Congress and the appropriations to take certain steps. Um four things. One, measure what matters so we can do what works. In other words, we can't manage what we can measure. This amendment ensures that the VA and the other departments aren't flying blind.
▶ 7:39:56By requiring outcomebased reviews, cutting outdated red tape, we give the people that to do uh the job better, faster, more efficiently, and therefore more uh more services to our to our veterans. Number two, more competition, more accountability, better results. Uh let's be clear, the taxpayers dollars must serve the public interest and not bureaucracy.
▶ 7:40:25By ensuring that any contract over $5 million are openly competed, tied to real results, we're saying no to waste and yes to performance and yes to fairness. In other words, on time and on budget. Contracts should be on time and on budget. If not, there should be penalties to those contractors. The third reason is technology and transparency together.
▶ 7:40:53In a world that's moving at a digital speed, we can't track progress with paper trails. This amendment demands modern systems to follow every dollar. Real time oversight, verified outcomes, a clear audit trail. That's how we build trust and results. The fourth reason why we ought to do this is a government that works smarter, not just bigger. That is, we have quarterly reports.
▶ 7:41:21We should have updated performance goals, real consequences for those contracts where they fall behind and also for the agencies that don't keep up with those performance measures. In other words, there are common sense steps that will help every agency deliver on its mission. When government works better, America gets stronger.
▶ 7:41:42I think anybody that's been at the state uh I think uh chairman uh Diaz Barllet understands that and other members anybody that's been at the state we've done this judge Carter we know I think you were there at the state where we were doing all this work so I would ask you uh to consider this amendment but I will follow the Ken Calbert rule that is keep it short uh don't ask for a recorded uh vote and I would ask the chairman and the ranking
▶ 7:42:12member to please consider this if we do get to a conference committee. So with that, I will withdraw at the proper The gentleman is wise beyond his years. Thank you. U gentle lady from Maine, Miss Pingry, is recognized for an amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent to withdraw that amendment.
▶ 7:42:42Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Oh, I didn't mean to withdraw that amendment. I meant to I meant to uh withdraw the reading of the amendment. Sorry, no, no, no, no, no. I am not doing a No, no, no. To be fair, to be fair, I understood the gentle ladies. Thank you. I was just trying to do the right procedure in the beginning. But wait, I still have good news for you.
▶ 7:43:11We Everyone will be very happy to know that we are one amendment away from being halfway through the 34 By my calculation, that gets us done at 1:30 a.m. But this is such a good amendment that I know you all want to voice it, which will cut some time off at the end.
▶ 7:43:33My amendment to um increase the funding for the produce prescription program only cost $2 million. And this is funding that we have provided the past four fiscal years since FY22. This is a great amendment that reduces medical costs to the VA, but more importantly keeps our vets healthy and alive.
▶ 7:43:59Now the basic idea here is if you're hospitalized or you have medical care for one of the chronic diseases that are so common in our country uh diabetes, heart uh disease, high blood pressure, uh we know them all. Um the best thing that can be done for you when you are released from the hospital after the doctor's diagnosis is that you eat a healthier diet. Now, we know this because there's great data and metrics to show this.
▶ 7:44:27But we also know it because every time any one of us meets up with a medical care practitioner, they tell us this. You know, reduce your salt intake, eat less carbohydrates, eat more healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. But one of the biggest issues for many of our veterans, unfortunately, are the costs of getting those healthier foods. One in nine veterans is food insecure. And the numbers are even higher if you look at the Iraq and Afghanistan war vets.
▶ 7:44:57So the prudus prescription program which has been operating for four years at the VA and in other parts of our health care system just says that your medical practitioner can give you a prescription and then you can go to a program where you can get access to that healthier food. You get a $100 a month. You meet with a dietitian. You often have cooking lessons. You do those things that help you to eat a healthier diet.
▶ 7:45:22Now, the good news as well is that while we've put $2 million into this program every year, private foundations have been supplementing the funding to a great extent. So, we have two pilot projects going right now. One in Salt Lake City, one in Houston, and others are about to open up in North Carolina, upstate New York, and Maryland. Hundreds of veterans are already benefiting from this plan.
▶ 7:45:44And I have heard from those veterans who have talked about how their diets have changed, how they are healthier, they feel better, and their doctors give the same kind of information. Uh we know that this kind of nutritional coaching paired with healthier food uh reduces the risk of those diseases and helps people to live longer. So really this is a very simple thing.
▶ 7:46:07And I also want to say in this new administration, the most recent MAHA report uh that is part of the health and human services program and the RFK plan shows that the modern diet uh there in their report they say the modern diet has been limited uh has been linked to a range of chronic diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. So this is also part of the maja plan which is another reason why we should support it.
▶ 7:46:34So, I am just suggesting that we keep that we put the $2 million back in there, that we go uh that much further to keep these programs going, support them in the uh in your district if they're already there or in your district where they're coming soon. And we do that to help our veterans to stay healthier. Uh this is a simple amendment. There is a uh there's an offset for it, even though, as it's already been said, we don't really need offsets because we don't have the number.
▶ 7:47:03But, uh, this is money that is easily found within the budget. So, as I said, uh, it'll be a simple voice vote at the end. You don't have to worry about this one. You can just get it done. And with that, I yield back. Before I recognize my friend uh, from Texas, I want to add to the good news that my friend from Maine brought. If you actually consider the opening statements as part of the hearing, which they most assuredly are, I think we're more like twothirds through.
▶ 7:47:32So maybe a little bit better than half. And let me just take this uh real quickly. I just want to thank all of you. I mean that quite sincerely. Uh you know the civility, the professionalism of the debate and staying within the timelines is much appreciated by the chair. So thank all of you for doing this and very appropriate for us to spend the time and work through it. But you've done it very professionally and and I think appropriately on both sides of the aisle and the chair is grateful for that. With that, I would turn to my friend Mr.
▶ 7:48:02Carter from Texas to solicit his reaction to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment. While I support food choice and access to healthy options, this is not the responsibility of the VA. Furthermore, this is a duplicative of existing federal programs operated by CDC and USDA.
▶ 7:48:29Therefore, I cannot support the amendment and I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. Gentle lady from Florida, the ranking member of the subcommitteees recognized for her response to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment. We have funded the produce prescription program in this bill multiple times in the past and I'm not really clear why um support for it has changed on um the other side of the aisle.
▶ 7:48:59The produce prescription program's aim is to improve health outcomes by addressing diet related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension through healthy food including fresh produce. VA aptly refers to this program as the food is medicine program because fresh produce coupled with nutrition education can help veterans lose weight and improve their lives. Additionally, the food is medicine program helps veterans dealing with food security issues by providing a revenue source to buy healthy foods.
▶ 7:49:29This amendment is a no-brainer. Yes, it exists in other agencies, but that's because we need to make sure that people are eating healthy food and providing more access points, not fewer is really important. And I think we can all um probably agree that we need to do everything we can to help our veterans be able to live healthier lifestyles.
▶ 7:49:54and we should make sure that we're providing veterans dealing with chronic illnesses access to fresh produce. I I want to thank Representative Pingry for continually leading on this issue. Um I mean this is two this is $2 million. This is really an easy lift and I would hope that we could come together voice vote or no um on this important way to keep people healthy. I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 7:50:23Are there other members wishing to speak on the issue? Okay. If uh if there's no further debate, the gentle lady is recognized for one minute to close. Uh thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and uh thank you uh to all of you for what I know was your complicit support because you decided not to speak in opposition except the chair himself.
▶ 7:50:50Um, but I do want to say the uh the chair said the argument was it wasn't the responsibility of the VA. It's true. It's not explicitly the responsibility of the VA, but it is very clear if we use diet measures uh rather than expensive medications or hospitalizations, we will be saving money in the long run.
▶ 7:51:10And the idea that there are duplicative programs at the CDC or USDA, I have no idea exactly what they're referring to and very good likelihood you'll hear tomorrow at the AGA propes hearing that those programs have been cut and defunded as well. So, uh, it is our responsibility to put this money in. This is a good way to help our veterans. I hope you will all support this amendment. It is merely $2 million. It is offset. Um, and I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 7:51:39to the questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Maine. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, the nose have Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. U so the clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. Mr. Adhalt. No, Mr. Aguular. Mr. Mr. Agular I.
▶ 7:52:10Mr. Alfred Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Amday. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klein. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Klyurn. Mr. Klyber. I Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No Mr. Cole. No, Mr.
▶ 7:52:40Quayer. Mr. Quayer. I miss I Mr. Luro. Mr. Lauro. I Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elseie. Mr. Elseie. No. Mr. Miss Escobar. I Miss Escobar. I Mr. Espott. I. Mr. Espott. I Mr. Fleshman. No. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss. Frankle. Miss. Frank. I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez.
▶ 7:53:10No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Hi. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Hi. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Hi. Miss Captor. I. Mr. Loa. No. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I. Miss. Miss Latlo, no. Miss Llo, no. Mr.
▶ 7:53:40Lean, I Mr. Lean, I Miss Malloy, Miss Mallaloy. No, Miss Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No, Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore, no. Mr. Morelli, I Mr. Merley. I Mr. Murvan. I Mr. Mvan. I Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No, Miss Miss Perez. I Miss Pingri. Hi, Miss Pingri. I Mr. Pokeani, Mr. Pokean. I Mr.
▶ 7:54:09Quigley, Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Rashenthaler. Mr. Rashenthaler. No, Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No, Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford. No, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. I Mr. Strong. Thank you for the editorial, Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres, I. Mrs. Torres, I miss Underwood. I Miss Underwood. I Mr. Mr. Valido.
▶ 7:54:40No, Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wac. Mr. Wac. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from Texas recognized. Mr. Cloud votes no. Any other members wish to record or change their vote? I have Mr. Carter is not recorded.
▶ 7:55:10Judge, uh, M, gentleman from Texas. Mr. Carter votes no. Are there any Clerk will tally.
▶ 7:56:10On this vote, the eyes are 29, the nose are 34. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or I believe uh gentle lady from New York, Miss Ming, has an amendment. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk. Mang The gentleman or would gentle lady like it to be read or I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading without objection reading of the amendment is dispensed with.
▶ 7:56:40The gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. My amendment would guarantee back pay to VA employees who were unjustly fired by Doge only to be rehired later. This happened to my constituent Luke Gratziani of Woodside, a 20-year Army veteran who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
▶ 7:57:02He was working at the VA helping other veterans when one morning he got an email from Doge telling him he was terminated. And he wasn't alone. This administration reportedly has plans to fire up to 80,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs and has already fired thousands of veterans from across the federal government. This is no way to treat our veterans or our public servants. Thankfully, Mr.
▶ 7:57:32Gratzani fought back and got his job back with full back pay, but not everyone has, and there's no guarantee that they will. My amendment would make crystal clear that full back pay is guaranteed for our public servants who work for the VA and were unjustly fired and then rehired. I urge you to please support it.
▶ 7:57:56And if you vote for it unanimously, we can shave up to 10 minutes off of that end The most compelling argument I've heard. My good friend, the gentleman from Texas, is recognized for his response to the amendment. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to the amendment. Employees were given generous options by the department.
▶ 7:58:26Some opted to take the those options for their own reasons. VA is redirecting its resources to veterans to ensure that they are receiving the best care and benefits. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Gentle lady from Florida, ranking member of the subcommittee, Miss Wiseman Schultz, is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the gentle lady's amendment.
▶ 7:58:53This administration's illegal firing of dedicated civil servants has caused chaos across the government while reducing services to taxpayers. Approximately 30% of federal employees are veterans. And according to our subcommittee's estimates, nearly 6,000 veterans have been fired already by this administration. No other administration in our history has targeted veterans in this way, threatening their livelihoods while callously ignoring their dedicated service to our country. These are not just numbers on a page.
▶ 7:59:21Federal employees with prior military service work on every major policy issue this country faces. They work on programs to ease homelessness, represent our country at embassies abroad, ensure our roads are paved, inspect our food, protect our air and water, serve as federal law enforcement, and on and on. Yet, their lives were disrupted needlessly, forcing some to question how they'll pay their bills and support their families. This amendment simply makes sure that those illegally fired haven't lost a single penny.
▶ 7:59:50They should not have to suffer because of this administration's careless actions. Thank you, Representative Mang, for your work on this issue. I support the amendment and yield back the balance of my time. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment? If there's no further Oh, gentleman from Maryland's recognized. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I would um stand in support of this amendment for sure.
▶ 8:00:17I have uh many employees uh government employees in my district who were fired um in a very haphazard way and I I I take the gentleman's point about um them having options for buyouts and the like. The problem was that those didn't become available until down the road once the Trump administration started running into trouble in court and had some of their uh terminations blocked.
▶ 8:00:44So, a lot of employees uh found themselves in a scenario where they didn't know if they were going to be able to get fired or or get rehired or not. Um and many of them uh were trapped and forced out of the positions uh but then allowed back uh through court orders or or other means. So, this is something that the administration did badly, did incorrectly, and did illegally. these employees should not be punished for their mistakes uh that were made by the administration.
▶ 8:01:14So I I would urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment. I know the gentle lady from New York would like to add um some additional comments. So I'll yield the balance of my time to her. Gentle lady from New York's recognized. Yeah. I just want to clarify Mr. Chair's comments. Um my constituent and many others did not opt to retire early. He got a template email in the morning and was told to pack up and leave his desk by noon.
▶ 8:01:42People were in the middle of helping cases veterans from New York and all around the country. So if you believe that a veteran like my constituent who literally served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and works to help other veterans should get back his back back pay, then please vote for this amendment. I yield back. Thank you. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 8:02:12Seeing none, the questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from New York. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair. The nos have Roll call has been requested. A sufficient number of hands have uh been raised in support and so a recorded vote is ordered. The clerk will call the rule. Mr. Aderhalt.
▶ 8:02:43Mr. Aderhalt. No. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Ammeday. Mr. Ammeday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klein. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde.
▶ 8:03:13Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quaar. Mr. Quay. I Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I. Mr. I. Mr. Loro. I. Mr. Diaz. Bolt. No. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elie. Mr. Ellie. No. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I Mr. Espayotti. Mr. Espayot. I Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss Frank. I Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez.
▶ 8:03:45Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Hi. Mr. Harter. I Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. I. Miss Lee. I Miss Latlo. No. Miss Latlo. No. Mr. Lean. Hi. Mr. Lean. I Miss Mallaloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss McCullum.
▶ 8:04:16Hi. Miss. McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Hi. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Murvan. I. Mr. Murvan. I Mr. Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss Perez. Miss Perez. I Miss Pingri. Hi. Miss Pingri. I Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. I Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Russianthaler. Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford.
▶ 8:04:46Mr. Rutherford. No. Mr. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Miss. Mrs. Torres. I. Miss. Underwood. Hi. Miss. Underwood. I. Mr. Valido. Mr. Valido. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss. Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. WAC. Mr. WAC. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No.
▶ 8:05:15Does any member wish to record or change their vote? Gentleman from Texas. Gentleman is not recorded. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Are there any others wishing to change or record their vote? Clerk will tally.
▶ 8:06:14On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nos are 34. The amendment is not agreed to. Is there further amendment and discussion? I believe Mr. Pocan from Wisconsin is recognized for his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk and I'd ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Uh without objection, uh the gentleman is recognized to uh explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um so this is amendment.
▶ 8:06:43Maybe this is the one we're waiting for to bring us together. Um this amendment will direct the GAO to issue a report on the impact of the House passed budget reconciliation bill on the veteran population.
▶ 8:06:59Uh, the study would include, but not necessarily be limited to, impacts to veterans access to health care, including those in rural areas, veterans access to nutrition assistance, and overall impacts to veteran food insecurity, access to student financial aid for veterans for higher education, impacts to veterans monthly student loan repayments, impact of veterans mental health, and finally, the effect on the cost of living for veterans. 1.2 2 million veterans live in households that receive SNAP benefits.
▶ 8:07:301.6 million veterans are enrolled in Medicaid and nearly 4 million family members of veterans are on Medicaid or CHIP. Another 300,000 veterans receive health coverage through the ACA marketplaces. And many veterans do borrow to pay for college even with the GI Bill benefits and DoD tuition assistance. Approximately 39% of student veterans receive Pell grants.
▶ 8:07:56The reconciliation bill that passed through the House last month will devastate access to food assistance, health care, and higher education for millions of people across the country, including veterans, according to the Congressional Budget Office. In fact, veterans may be disproportionately affected, particularly regarding SNAP cuts. Veterans already face higher rates of food insecurity than nonveterans.
▶ 8:08:18As you may know, on page 51 of the bill report, the it says, "The committee is concerned with food insecurity among the veteran population." Well, here's how we can prove it. The reconciliation bill guts Medicaid coverage, which, as I said, covers 1.6 million veterans. It also fails to extend the enhanced premium tax credit, which will cause millions to lose their coverage and premiums to skyrocket for nearly everyone left on the exchanges. And it'll decimate access to care for folks in rural areas.
▶ 8:08:48So the CBO says up to 14 million people could lose health insurance. 11 million people could lose food assistance. Millions are going to lose health care due to the ACA cuts. But we can protect veterans by having this GAO report. It's more than talk. It's actually action to show that we're making sure the veteran community is not disproportionately affected. And I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment. And I will yield back. Thank you.
▶ 8:09:17Uh chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter, to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. I rise in opposition to this amendment. This asked for a report on impacts of yet to be enacted legislation and falsely assumes negative impacts of food and access to financial aid to veterans.
▶ 8:09:43Once again, we have an impractical politically motivated congressional report demand that does nothing to improve the quality of life of veterans. I urge my colleagues to oppose this Gentle lady from Florida, the vice chair of the subcommittee, Miss Wasman Schultz, recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the amendment.
▶ 8:10:08I really don't know what's political about wanting to make sure that we don't cut Medicaid, which is health care, and SNAP with his is nutrition, from our veterans so that they can stay healthy and and wellfed and make sure that their quality of life is what anyone would want it to be. The reconciliation bill under the consideration in the Senate represents a transfer of wealth from the most vulnerable in this country to billionaires.
▶ 8:10:38The bill would take away health coverage and food assistance from millions of people, including veterans. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, one out of every four veterans live in a household receiving food assistance from SNAP or health coverage from Medicaid or CHIP at some point in 2023. Veterans also face a higher prevalence of food insecurity compared to non-veterans and an estimated 680,000 children of working veterans would be left out of the bill's expanded $2,500 child tax credit.
▶ 8:11:07This amendment just asks GAO to study this. Why does the majority Why is the majority so afraid and so opposed to studies to information to transparency? Maybe because if they're what they're really doing was shown the light of day that it would not withstand the test of the public's impression of their Maybe because that would make it so that people were opposed to what they were doing
▶ 8:11:38like they are now as soon as they hear about the Medicaid and SNAP cuts. We need to know how legislation this significant will impact veterans which is why I support the amendment and I thank Mr. Pokan for taking the lead on this. I yield back. Thank you. Uh gentle lady from Connecticut, the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Lor's recognized for her response to the Okay.
▶ 8:12:04I rise in support of this amendment which would require a GAO study on the impact on our nation's veterans of the cuts included in the Republican reconciliation bill to Medicaid and to SNAP. I might add that the House Republicans advance legislation that hands over a trillion dollars in tax cuts to billionaires and to the biggest corporations.
▶ 8:12:28The bill slashes Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, threatening health coverage for over 16 million people they now have come out and not 14. It cuts SNAP uh cuts to SNAP. It jeopardizes nutrition assistance for 42 million This amendment responds to what the American people care the most about today and that is the cost of living. They live paycheck to paycheck.
▶ 8:12:59They live in a cost of living crisis. The nation is facing this issue and it is especially damaging to our veterans. The majority may suggest that they are supporting our veterans needs with this bill alone, but we all know that it does not contain all the programs that most vulnerable veterans depend on.
▶ 8:13:20Programs and services from food assistance to education to health research, which this administration has illegally frozen and dismantled and which their budget decimates funding for. uh support support for veterans around the country. Losing that support means abandoning our responsibilities and promises to our nation's veterans. Center for uh on budget and policy priorities has been quoted.
▶ 8:13:501.2 million veterans live in households that receive SNAP assistance. Thousands of veterans in every state use SNAP to supplement their income to afford food for themselves and their families. Coming to healthcare, reconciliation bill has even more devastating news for veterans. Nearly 1.6 6 veterans are enrolled in Medicaid. Many others have purchased Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage with premium tax credits. And nearly four million family members of veteran are also enrolled in Medicaid or on the children's health insurance program.
▶ 8:14:19Significant changes that Republicans are proposing in their reconciliation bill would shift many costs back onto the states will force states to eliminate assistance for certain groups. We all know in this room that our states cannot pick up the slack if the federal government is not providing any resources at all. We already know that the cuts they are proposing right now would strip that coverage from over 16 million Americans.
▶ 8:14:45Costs are also likely to rise for veterans who are enrolled in marketplace coverage, including more paperwork burdens, cutting eligibility, restricting financial assistance. Veterans will lose health coverage. Premiums for individual plans sold on Access Health Connecticut, the marketplace in my home state, may increase by as much as 25% next year.
▶ 8:15:08This Republican majority is preparing to cut Medicaid, SNAP, and yes, Medicare, other critical services that veterans rely on uh uh uh in order to be able to give away $4.5 trillion to the richest and to the largest corporations.
▶ 8:15:27If they are truly committed to this giveaway, the least that this majority could do is to study the impact of these cuts and what that effect will be on this nation's veterans rather than sweep those who are suffering under the rug and just kicking them to the side of the road and not being mindful of what their lives are about today. I urge my colleagues to support the Pokean amendment and I yield back.
▶ 8:15:58I thank the gentle lady. Are there other members wishing to address the If there's no further debate, the gentleman from Wisconsin is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, as the ranking member just said, uh, you know, in November, many people in this room talked about the cost of living. Many people in the White House talked about the cost of living.
▶ 8:16:21And since then, all we've done is make the cost of living go up for veterans and for everyone else, whether it be through the indiscriminate use of tariffs or the bill that we just passed. And if you disagree with the Republican leadership's appointed uh folks at the CBO that say millions of people are going to lose access, at least let's look out for veterans. That's what this subcommittee bill is. 1.2 2 million veterans living in households receiving SNAP benefits. 1.6 million veterans enrolled in Medicaid.
▶ 8:16:51300,000 veterans receiving healthc care coverage through ACA marketplaces. 39% of student veterans receiving Pell Grants. So, it it should be a no-brainer um if we're not afraid of that vote we did in I guess it was at the crack of dawn, not the middle of the night. Um but uh this is our opportunity at least to protect veterans and I would urge a yes vote. Yield back. Thank the gentleman. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 8:17:20All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nose have it. Roll call has been requested. A sufficient number of hands have been raised and so the clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. Mr. Aderhalt. No. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred, no. Mr. Ammedday. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr.
▶ 8:17:51Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Case. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klein. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quay. Mr. Mr. Quer Istan I Mr. Luro Mr. Loro I Mr. Diaz Bard Mr. Diaz Bolard No Mr. Edwards Mr. Edwards no Mr.
▶ 8:18:20El Mr. Elsie No Miss Escobar Mr. Escobar Miss Escobar I Mr. Espott Mr. Espot I Mr. Flashman Mr. Fleshman no Miss Frankle I Miss Frank I Mr. Franklin Mr. Franklin no Mr. Gonzalez Mr. Gonzalez no Mr. Guest Mr. Guest no Mr. Harter Mr. Harter I Dr. Harris Dr. Harris no Mrs. Henson Mrs. Henson no Mr.
▶ 8:18:50Hoyer Mr. Hoyer I Mr. Ivy Mr. Ivy I M uh Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce no Miss Captor Miss Captor I Mr. Loa Mr. Loa No Miss Miss Lee I Miss Llo No Mr. Leven Mr. 11 I Miss Malloy Miss Mallaloy No Miss McCullum Miss McCullum I Miss McCullum I Miss Ming Miss Ming I Mr.
▶ 8:19:20Molinar Mr. Molinar no Mr. Moore Mr. Moore no Miss Mr. I Mr. Morelli I Mr. Mvani I Mr. Mvan I Mr. New House Mr. New House no Miss Perez Miss Perez I Miss Pingri Hi Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pan I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Russianthaler Mr. Russianthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Ruford Mr. Rutherford No Mr.
▶ 8:19:48Simpson Mr. Strong Mr. Strong no Mrs. Torres Miss Underwood I Miss Underwood I Mr. Valado Mr. Torres oh Mrs. Tor sorry Mrs. Torres I Mr. Valado Mr. Valido. No. M. Wasman Schultz. I Miss Waterman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. WAC. Mr. WAC. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci.
▶ 8:20:18No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Uh, gentleman from Nevada. Mr. Amado. Any other members needing to change or record their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally. Uh, gentleman from Idaho. Is have gentleman been recorded?
▶ 8:20:51Mr. Simpson. No.
▶ 8:21:25Oh yes, On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nos are 35. The amendment is not adopted.
▶ 8:21:47Is there any further amendment or Miss Frankle is recognized for the purpose of an amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have an amendment at the desk. I ask unanimous consent that the reading be dispensed with. Thank the gentle lady. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on our amendment. My my m my This is the amendment you've all been waiting for.
▶ 8:22:16It It strikes a dangerous and deeply harmful provision in the bill. one that unjustly restricts abortion access for our veterans. Uh the bill prohibits the VA from spending funds for any abortion with with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.
▶ 8:22:37Uh the provision strips the veteran uh VA doctors uh of the ability to make medical decisions that they are trained to make, preventing them from intervening when a pregnancy endangers a woman's health even with a serious complication and more importantly it takes away a woman's ability to make the very very personal decision of when or whether to grow a family.
▶ 8:23:04And let's keep in mind that women join the military for many of the same reasons that men do. Because they are patriots. Because they want to serve our country. Because they want to gain skills. They want a better future. And whether or not a family is part of that future should be left up to them, not to a bunch of tired lawmakers sitting in a stuffy room with a half frazzled brain. You agree with that, don't you?
▶ 8:23:35But I'm going to tell you a story about a real person, but I'm gonna I'm gonna hide her name for privacy. She's Kelly. She grew up in a military family and always dreamed of serving in the Air Force herself. And she served two tours in the Middle East. She was excited to start a family. And in 2021, she found out she was pregnant. But but her 12week ultrasound, she received devastating news.
▶ 8:24:05The fetus had a severe and it would not grow a brain and it would not it would not survive. And you can understand she was heartbroken. She made the decision to end her pregnancy to prevent further suffering for herself and for her unborn fetus.
▶ 8:24:27But sadly, Hel could not get the care that she needed at her VA facility that she had been getting all her medical treatment from uh because of outdated and harmful abortion restrictions that would be continued in this current bill language.
▶ 8:24:46Kelly later reflected, "The heartbreak of losing uh my feet at my baby, which she called her baby, was only dwarfed by the heartbreak of having the country I love and serve turn its back on me. This Republican bill threatens the health, safety, and security of the 300,000. Yes, that's right.
▶ 8:25:12300,000 veterans of childbearing age who depend on the VA for care. That's a lot of people. Uh and the restriction leaves uh bills uh bill the bill leaves veterans like Kelly feeling isolated, alone, afraid, abandoned when they most often need support.
▶ 8:25:34Limiting abortion access for cases of rape only for cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother while ignoring serious medical risks, fetal anomalies and and the will of the pregnant woman is not only medically irresponsible. It is morally wrong and it betrays our promise to honor and care for those who have worn the uniform. These women have fought for our freedoms. We should not take their freedom away.
▶ 8:26:03I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this amendment and I yield Thank you. Gentleman from Texas is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to the amendment. The provisions turn off VA's interim final rule that allows abortions. Prohibition prohibits VA from proposing a similar regulation.
▶ 8:26:33Prohibits funding for abortion except in the case of rape, incest or to protect life of the mother. This is the same as the pro hide pro protections including included in the labor HHS bill.
▶ 8:26:50It's a one-year It includes report language requiring VA to report within 30 days of enactment and every 180 days after regarding the number of abortions provided by the state. I urge my college colleagues to oppose this amendment. Thank you.
▶ 8:27:13The general lady uh who's vice chair of the subcommittee, Miss Wman Schultz of Florida is recognized to respond to the amendment. Okay, I can be vice chair of the subcommittee, Mr. Chairman. Sure. This amendment strikes section 255 that prohibits VA from implementing its common sense interim final rule on abortions.
▶ 8:27:33VA implemented its interim final rule on abortions back in September of 2023 to respond to the DOS decision that reversed the long-standing federal protection for abortion care in the United States and made that rule final in March. The rule allows VA to offer abortion counseling and abortions in the limited case cases of rape or incest or if the life or the health of the mother is at risk.
▶ 8:27:56However, this bill removes VA's authority to provide this needed healthcare and instead backtracks to only allowing abortions in the case of rape, incest, or the life of the mother. You heard that right. A veteran has to be dying in order to have access to abortions regardless of what is best for her and her family or her doctor's medical advice. How is it 2025 and women are still fighting for our reproductive rights, for control over our own bodies?
▶ 8:28:22If abortion access is curtailed at VA, this would be a slap in the face to the women who have served. They have fought for all our fundamental freedoms to then turn around and find out that those freedoms are being taken away from them. A veteran seeking care at VA should not have less rights than a veteran in a neighboring state. And I thank Congresswoman Frankle for leading on this critical issue and for fighting for all women veterans. I support them this amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same. I yield back. Thank you.
▶ 8:28:51Are there other members wishing to speak the amendment? Gentle lady from Illinois, Miss Underwood's recognized to respond to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I strongly support this amendment to strike the partisan anti-abortion poison pills in this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. It's disappointing, but not surprising to once again see House Republicans play politics with veterans healthcare.
▶ 8:29:14After all, this is the same House GOP leadership that has followed Trump's anti-abortion marching orders for months, using the legislative process to attack reproductive healthc care access for everyone in America, including service members. With the partisan poison pills in this bill, House Republicans are abandoning veterans, restricting their freedoms, and risking veteran lives to push an extreme anti-choice, anti-freedom agenda. This is cruel and unacceptable.
▶ 8:29:43We should be investing in our veterans, not interfering with their rights to make decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures. The science shows that delays and barriers to abortion care are worsening mental health outcomes, increasing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. And with nearly half of women veterans seeking reproductive health care through VA being diagnosed with mental health conditions, the denial of abortion care to our veterans is not just a broken promise, but a life-threatening attack.
▶ 8:30:12I will not stand by as my Republican colleagues enable this administration's ongoing assault on women's dignity, safety, and autonomy. Our veterans deserve better. So, I'll be voting yes on this amendment. I yield back. Thank you. Are there others wishing to address the amendment? If not, the question is now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Florida.
▶ 8:30:37The gentle lady is uh yeah say gentle lady's rec who's oh I'm sorry gentle lady from Florida my mistake is recognized to close you know if I could stand on the table and jump up and down I would do it but it would be dangerous and Rosa wouldn't like it here's the
▶ 8:31:07The women of our country, not should be in charge of their own reproductive future. When or whether to grow their own family, it's not up to members of Congress. Our veterans, they fought for your freedom, for our freedom. It's time to stand up for theirs. Vote for this amendment. And I yield back.
▶ 8:31:33The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Florida. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair of the nose have it. Uh and a roll call has been requested. A sufficient number of hands have been raised. Uh the clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. Mr. Aderhalt. No. Mr. Aguilar. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Mr. Amday. Mr.
▶ 8:32:03Amday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbert. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Miss Dean.
▶ 8:32:34Miss Dean. I Mr. Luro. Mr. Loro. I Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Elsie. Mr. Elzie. No. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I. Mr. Espay. Mr. Espay. I. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. I Miss Frank. I Mr. Franklin. Mr. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest.
▶ 8:33:05Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Hi. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. Hi. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I. Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I. Miss. Let Miss Llo No Mr. Lean Mr.
▶ 8:33:33Lean I Miss Malloy Miss Malloy No Miss McCullum Miss McCullum I Miss Ming. Miss Ming I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Mvan. I. Mr. Mvan. I. Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss Miss Perez. I Miss Pingri. Miss Pingry I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr.
▶ 8:34:03Russianthaler Mr. Russianthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Rutherford Mr. Simpson Mr. Rutherford no Mr. Simpson Mr. Simpson no Mr. Strong Mr. Strong no Mrs. Torres Mrs. Torres I miss Underwood Miss Underwood I Mr. Valado Mr. Mr. Valido. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wack. Mr. WAC. No. Mr.
▶ 8:34:33Zinci. Mr. Zinci. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. There. Any other members who wish to change or record their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 8:35:33On this vote, the eyes are 27, the nos are 35. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or Believe Miss Torres is recognized for an Gentle lady from California. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the Would the gentle lady I ask have read or I ask for unanimous consent to dispense with the reading of the amendment. Thank you, gentle lady.
▶ 8:36:04Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm here today to call out an absolute disgrace. the way our government is treating non-citizen veterans who serve our country with honor. These men and women took an oath to defend the United States. They risk their lives for our fe freedoms. And what do they get in return?
▶ 8:36:31Detention, deportation, denial of legal counsel, no due process, no respect. This is not just a failure, it is a betrayal. According to forward us, tens of thousands of foreignb born individuals serve in our military and thousands more join every year.
▶ 8:36:54These are patriots, warriors, and defenders of this nation and they deserve our thanks, not a fast track to being kicked out of the country that they risk everything to protect. I would just ask you to tone it down. Gentle ladies recognized. Under the first the first Trump administration, the very system designed to honor their service turned its back on them.
▶ 8:37:24Under Donald Trump, the US citizenship and immigration services rejected military naturalization applications at twice the rate of civilian ones. In just one quarter of a fiscal year 2019, one in five military applications was denied. One in five. This is an insult, a slap in the face to those who served honorably. And then the crackdown came.
▶ 8:37:52Trump's second term has ushered an ICE enforcement blitz that targets anyone and everyone, including veterans. Just recently, a veteran was detained in New York, New Jersey, and a stark reminder that no one is safe from this administration's reckless cruelty. This amendment isn't asking for favors. It is demanding justice. No veteran should face deportation without legal counsel.
▶ 8:38:22No veteran should be stripped of their right without due process. These are the bare minimum protections owed to those who wrote who wore the uniform and served our country. If we allow these veteran deportations to continue, we're telling every service member that their sacrifice means nothing, that their loyalty is worthless. I refuse to let that happen.
▶ 8:38:47And I urge every member to stand up for the veterans who stood up for us. Vote yes on this amendment. protect our veterans from this shameful injustice and I urge an yes vote. Thank you. Uh gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in opposition to this amendment.
▶ 8:39:12Immigration laws should be applied Veterans who commit crimes or violate immigration laws should be held to the same standard as others. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Gentle lady from Florida, the ranking member of the subcommittee, Miss Washerman Schultz, is recognized to respond to the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment.
▶ 8:39:39Due pro due process guarantees everyone in are guaranteed to everyone in America, including non-citizens. The right to fair treatment and legal hearings when their freedom is at risk is afforded to everyone in this country. This has been as fundamental to our way of life as all other freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. And this is guaranteed to non-citizens. We have non-citizens, specifically lawful permanent residents with green cards, serving honorably in the military, making the same sacrifices for this country as their fellow service members.
▶ 8:40:09Additionally, individuals from certain Pacific island countries are also eligible. We also have foreignb born individuals serving in the military, bringing critical skills to the services. These individuals voluntarily signed up to lay their lives on the line for this country even though they are not citizens. These veterans should not be subjected to what is happening right now. They should be protected from being kidnapped and sent to third countries, countries to which they have no relationship or citizenship just for political points.
▶ 8:40:37This amendment reaffirms the rights we have in the constitution and I urge its support. Thank you. I yield back. Thank you. The gentleman from Florida is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I rise in opposition and let me explain to you why. Let's put some facts on the table. I've got it here. This is You don't have to go far. This is usa.gov.
▶ 8:41:00to serve in the military, if you're not an American citizen, you have to have a green card. You have to be a legal permanent resident. All right. Fact number one, to lose your green card. These are the causes.
▶ 8:41:21Remember, you can only lose your LPR status if an immigration judge issues a final removal order and therefore you had a legal proceeding. But here are the standards for losing your LPR. These are the causes and you have to have a hearing.
▶ 8:41:41Abandoning status, felony conviction, high-speed flight, and crime of moral turpitude.
▶ 8:41:56If you have one of those issues and you have a then you can lose your LPR status and you can only be removed if you were a ver veteran if you've lost your LPR status and those are the standards. Really?
▶ 8:42:15Are we saying that if you've done one of these things after an immigration judge has issued a final removal order and these are the that you should not be removed? I respectfully disagree. I yield back. Thank you. Gentle lady from Texas, Miss Escobar is recognized to respond to the so much, Mr.
▶ 8:42:45Chairman, and I appreciate the gentle lady from California standing up to fight for deported veterans. And I want you to know I stand alongside you in that fight for our deported veterans. And I would highly recommend anyone who does not stand alongside us in that fight to actually speak to one of our deported veterans.
▶ 8:43:13Before I served on the appropriations committee, I served on the House Judiciary Committee. It the issue is not as simple as usa.gov. In fact, this is a very complicated issue and and there are innumerable examples of veterans who have been deported with minor offenses that they paid their time for.
▶ 8:43:43And uh the point of this amendment uh and please correct me if I am wrong, Miss Torres, is to ensure due process under the law. I many of our uh men and women who served in uniform served for these values, the values of every individual having due process under the law in this country.
▶ 8:44:12But wow, how times have changed. Suddenly, it is due process for some, not for all. Despite the fact that this is what our constitution calls for, the Constitution, something we took an oath to uphold and defend. And so, um, Miss Torres, thank you for your leadership on this issue. I have fought for deported veterans uh from my district.
▶ 8:44:42Again, I encourage anyone who doubts the complexity of this issue or the veracity of the need for us to due process for this issue. Again, please speak to one of our deported veterans who fought bravely for our country. Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank you. Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
▶ 8:45:15Seeing none, the gentle lady is uh has one minute to close. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. I uh think that our men and women in uniform uh deserve to be more than a photo op. They certainly deserve to have due process.
▶ 8:45:32I would like to welcome anyone on the other side of the aisle uh to drive just over the border with me to the uh Tijuana where there is actually a veteran center there with multiple veterans that have been deported. PTSD is a real thing. Addiction is a real thing. Injuries that they have suffered while at war serving our country is a real thing.
▶ 8:46:00and for us to when they return home, number one, deny them of their benefits and then make a mistake and deport them. I had a veteran that was deported. It took me almost six months to try to get a parole back to the US just to get him hip surgery. And with that, I yield back. I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill for due process for veterans, nothing Thank you.
▶ 8:46:30The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from California. All those in favor say All those opposed say no. Opinion of the chair. The nos have it. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. No. Mr. Adder Holt. No. Mr. Aguilar. Mr. Agular. I Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred.
▶ 8:47:01No. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. No. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Mr. Sisammani. I. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klene. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Mr. Klyber. I Mr. Clyde. Negative. Mr. Clyde.
▶ 8:47:31No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Mr. Quayar. I. Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I Mr. Lauro. Hi. Mr. Loro. I. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elzie. Mr. Elzie. No. Miss Escobar. Hi. Miss Escobar. I. Mr. Espott. Hi. Miss E. Mr. Espayat. I. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss Frank. I Mr. Franklin. Mr.
▶ 8:48:01Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Dr. Harris. Mrs. Henson. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Miss Lee.
▶ 8:48:32Miss Lee. I Miss Lllo. Miss Llo. No. Mr. Leven. Mr. Eleven. I Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss Malloy. No. Miss. McCullum. Miss. McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Hi. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Morvan. Hi. Mr. Mr. Mvan I Mr. New House Mr.
▶ 8:48:57New House I Miss Perez I Miss Perez I Miss Pingri Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Rashenthaler Mr. Russianthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Rutherford no Mr. Rutherford no Mr. Simpson Mr. Simpson no Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No.
▶ 8:49:27Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. I Miss Underwood. I Miss Underwood. I Mr. Valado. Hi. Mr. Valido. I Miss M. Wasimman Schultz. Hi. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. I. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wac. Mr. WAC. No. Mr. Zinci. No. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from California. I. Mr. Harter. I. Gentleman from Florida.
▶ 8:49:58Mr. Franklin. No. Are there any others wishing to change or record their vote? Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 8:50:54On this vote, the eyes are 31, the nose are 31. The amendment is not adopted. Is there further amendment or discussion? I believe I believe the gentle lady uh from California, Miss Taus, has an amendment. She's recognized to present that amendment. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading of the amendment.
▶ 8:51:19Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Mr. Chairman, the Trump administration is threatening to cut all federal funding from my home state of California and has already threatened to cut funding from other states.
▶ 8:51:37My amendment uh that I am proud to lead with Congressman Levan makes it clear that taxpayer dollars should go to help America thrive, not support a president's political grudges. This amendment would simply require no funds to support political vendettas and it includes a reporting requirement in a freezing of funds to the office of the secretary if the secretary is determined to have violated the law.
▶ 8:52:08efforts to cut off federal funding to California or any other individual state is wrong, but is spec specifically nonsensical for California, which by the way sends $83 billion more to Washington every single year than it gets back. We are a donor state.
▶ 8:52:31California subsidizes many of your states funding disaster relief in Texas and infrastructure in Ohio. Now, according to news reports, this administration wants to punish California vindictively for political goals by cutting the programs that California taxpayers fund for our state. This isn't just wrong, it is unamerican.
▶ 8:52:57Every taxpayer in America sends their money to Washington for essential services, not political vendettas. We fund roads, schools, disaster response, not presidential revenge. Let's be clear about what is happening here. The president swore an oath to faithfully execute the laws. That includes the funding laws that Congress has passed.
▶ 8:53:25When he cuts appropriated funds for political reasons, he breaks his constitutional oath. Congress controls the purse strings, not the president's political grudges. But here's what should be terrifying for every member of this body. If we let this slide, your state could be nuxed. Once we allow presidents to weaponize federal funding, no state is safe.
▶ 8:53:55Our Constitution establishes one indivisible union where all states deserve equal treatment under federal law. Federal resources should go where they're needed, not where politicians want to reward friends and punish enemies. America works best when we are united. I urge you to support my Thank you. The gentleman from Texas, Mr.
▶ 8:54:25Carter, is recognized to respond to the I rise in opposition to this amendment. This bill does nothing to withhold or delay funds targeted specific states or impose requirements based upon political This amendment is another cheap talking point.
▶ 8:54:49This bill simply funds veterans health care and military inf uh aimed at improving the quality of life of our service members. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Before I move on again, ladies and gentlemen, the background noise is low much not fair to our speakers. Uh with that, I recognize a gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wasserman Schultz to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 8:55:18Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment because first it was Maine where this president threatened illegal funding cuts because he wasn't happy with how the governor stood up to him. But the illegal political retribution didn't stop there. And now this administration is targeting California. What states next? And what issue will it be that ignites his temper tantrums?
▶ 8:55:38This common sense amendment makes sure that this administration, this president cannot withhold, delay, or condition federal funding dedicated for veterans and military construction to punish states for their political positions. That is in this bill and we it is in our purview to make sure that the president can't target individual states for political retribution by withholding their veteran or military construction funding, which is certainly in the jurisdiction of this bill.
▶ 8:56:07Veterans shouldn't be in the crosshairs of this president's slash and burn political agenda. I urge support of this amendment and yield back. Gentleman from California. Gentleman from California, Mr. Levens, recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is my first uh full committee appropriations markup and I've been a representative from California now for six and a half years.
▶ 8:56:36I acknowledge that my state is far from perfect. I don't always agree with the policies that come from Sacramento. But I also know that we're a co-equal branch of government and article one of the constitution guarantees that we have the power of the purse. We authorize the programs. We appropriate the funds and we should do so as a co-equal branch of government free from political interference. I want to associate myself with the comments of a couple of my colleagues. It is happening today to California.
▶ 8:57:05But if there's a different president with a different political ideology, it could happen next to your state. And if you don't see that, I I just I don't know what to tell you because it's happening right now, right here. And I hope that that you let that sink in. Even if you don't vote for this particular amendment, I hope that you let that sink in. It really could happen in your state next. Thank you. And I yield back. Thank you. I thank the gentleman.
▶ 8:57:35Are there any other members wishing to address this amendment? If there's no further debate, I the gentle lady from California is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, chairman. Uh this isn't just about California. It is about defending the constitutional principle that in America we don't punish states for their political beliefs with their own tax dollars.
▶ 8:58:02Um I ask for your support for this amendment and I yield back. Questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from California. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. Opinion chair the nose have it recorded vote has been requested a sufficient number of hands have been raised uh the clerk will call the role Mr. Adhalt Mr.
▶ 8:58:32Adhalt no Mr. Aguular Mr. Aguular I Mr. Alfred Mr. Amday Mr. Amday no Mrs. Bice no Mrs. Bice no Mr. Bishop yes Mr. Bishop I Mr. Calbertt Mr. Calbertt no Mr. Carter no Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Case. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klein. Mr. Klene. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyurn. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr.
▶ 8:59:02Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quay. Mr. Quay. I. Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Luro. I. Mr. Lur. I. Mr. Diaz. Bollard. Mr. Diaz Bol. No. Mr. Mr. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elie. Mr. Elsie. No. Miss Escobar. Miss. Escobar. I. Mr. Espayat. Mr. Espay. I. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle.
▶ 8:59:34Miss. Frank. I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No.
▶ 9:00:04Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I. Miss. Let Miss Llo. No. Mr. Mr. Leven. I. Miss. Malloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss. McCullum. Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Hi. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Mvan. Hi. Mr. Van. I Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss.
▶ 9:00:36Miss Pangry. Miss. Ping. I. Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. I. Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Russianthaler. Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Ruford. Mr. Ruford. No. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres.
▶ 9:01:09Mrs. Torres. I. Miss. Underwood. Hi. Mr. Underwood. I. Mr. Valido. Mr. Valado. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz Miss Wasserman Schultz I Mrs. Watson Coleman Mrs. Watson Coleman I Mr. Wack Mr. Wack No Mr. Zinci Mr. Zinci no Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Dr. Harris is not recorded.
▶ 9:01:36The gentleman from Missouri gentleman is not recorded. Mr. Albert votes no. Gentleman from Dr. Harris votes no. Are there gentleman from Wisconsin? You're recorded as an I. Are there any other members wishing to change or record their vote? Clerk will tally.
▶ 9:02:48On this vote, the eyes are 27, the nose are 35. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or discussion? Believe Mr. Espayot is recognized for an amendment. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. Ask unanimous consent to dispense the reading of the amendment. Thank the gentleman. If there's no objection, the reading will be dispensed with. The gentleman's recognized to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 9:03:16On April 11 of 2003, while serving um Operation Iraqi Freedom, Staff Sergeant Ryan Tahada was killed during a combat operation against enemy forces in northeast Baghdad. He was 26 years old. Staff Sergeant Ryan Tahara was a Marine. He was a father of two young girls. He was also a green car holder.
▶ 9:03:46He was not a US citizen. Uh he served uh in the Marines for eight years. And his dream was to become not just a Marine but a US citizen. and he felt he would earn his citizenship by serving our nation in the armed forces. Uh Mr.
▶ 9:04:07Chairman, there are an estimated soldiers serving in our armed forces and they enlisted about 5,000 a year. There's also 94,000 immigrant veterans in in our country.
▶ 9:04:28uh and throughout history for over a 100 have gained their US citizenship through the armed forces.
▶ 9:04:42So, this amendment seeks to allow immigrant soldiers that are limited English proficient the ability to go to a veterans hospital and get translation services as they get their health care. It would allow them to speak to their doctor in a language that they could command so they would understand what the doctor is prescribing to them.
▶ 9:05:12Currently, executive order 14224 this allows them from getting this. And so this amendment uh proposes to do just that. Uh it would allow uh a veteran that goes to a VA hospital to get translation services to access health care. Mr.
▶ 9:05:40Chairman, I know that this is a new concept for many, but as I said earlier, there are thousands upon thousands of of young people, men and women that enlist in the armed forces that are immigrants. They're not citizens. and they do it patriotically because they want to get that citizenship. So at this point I will be withdrawing the amendment.
▶ 9:06:02However, uh I hope to come back after I discuss it with some of my colleagues further and reintroduce it in the future for your consideration. Thank you gentlemen. Uh gentleman is also recognized for a second amendment. There's an amendment at the desk Yes sir. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Uh I ask uh unanimous consent to dispense the reading of the amendment as well.
▶ 9:06:31Without objection, the reading of the amendment's dispensed with and the gentleman's recognized to explain his amendment. Yeah, this amendment m Mr. Chairman, I would also withdraw. It's an amendment that allows for uh disallows ICE from conducting enforcement in a veteran's uh hospital.
▶ 9:06:54As I stated before, many members of the armed forces are green card holders that will have to be at a hospital and many feel that a hospital should be a sensitive location. But I understand that this amendment is included in another broader amendment and at that point I will be discussing it. So I withdraw the I thank the gentleman.
▶ 9:07:26Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the at the desk under one. Gentle lady's recognized. Gentle lady care to dispense with the amendment. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Thank you very much. The gentle lady is recognized to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise to offer an amendment to protect the 170 VA medical centers and 1,380 healthc care facilities providing affordable and quality care to our veteran heroes.
▶ 9:07:54With over 9.1 million veterans enrolled, the VA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States. and it plays an essential role in pl in training our nation's doctors and nurses. VA facilities serve as the primary access point to care for veterans and importantly veterans trust them.
▶ 9:08:14In fact, nationwide assessments by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show that VA hospitals consistently outperform nonVA hospitals on patient satisfaction and hospital quality. And yet, this administration is preparing to eviscerate VHA hospitals and clinics that serve our nation's veterans.
▶ 9:08:35Recent reporting on uncovered proposals by Doge officials working at the VA in March to quote transform the VA, or in other words, to dismantle the agency, paint a grim picture of VA's future. In addition to firing over 80,000 VA employees, some of their proposals are exploring the closure of VHA facilities. Our veterans deserve certainty and stability, which my amendment will provide.
▶ 9:09:03Closing these medical centers is not a decision that should be made lightly by inexperienced doge staffers. When VA hospitals close, it has a massive ripple effect on the entire community. It hurts veterans and their families who lose access to care. It hurts experienced health providers who lose their jobs. It overburdens other local health care facilities which have to pick up the slack to meet displaced demand.
▶ 9:09:29It hurts people throughout the community who may face longer wait times and fewer resources at those overburdened care providers. And it perpetuates the dangerous trend of decreased healthcare access across the country. And we know when these hospitals close, they are not coming back. Fortunately, Congress has the power of the purse. So, I intend to use it to protect our veterans access to care. And I urge all my colleagues to join me.
▶ 9:09:57My amendment would prohibit appropriated funds from being used to close any VHA hospital unless the secretary certifies that the veterans in that area can continue receiving the same highquality VA health care to which they are entitled. Any of my colleagues who share my commitment to protecting health care for veterans should vote yes on my amendment and I yield back. Thank the gentle lady. The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you. Excuse me.
▶ 9:10:28Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I oppose this amendment. The VA has kept its promise to retain missionritical positions, which includes those in the health care of in the healthcare This is another scare tactic the Democrats are using to politicize veterans health care. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Thank you.
▶ 9:10:53The gentle lady from Florida, Miss Debbie Wasserman Schultz, is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment because earlier this year, Doge ordered GSA to identify and sell off federal properties and accidentally published a list that included several VA facilities. The list even included VA's headquarters building, which was met with outrage and confusion.
▶ 9:11:19So that list has now disappeared and we have yet to see a new list of buildings on the chopping block. doge and VA are not keeping any promises to veterans except to make their life more uncertain, make employees uh lose their jobs and cut their health care through the um big ugly bill.
▶ 9:11:43Um, so this amendment makes sure that as Doge irresponsibly exercises its influence on this administration that they don't close hospitals and other VA facilities. If any of us have these facilities in our districts, we should certainly be worried because of the opacity of the proposals and policies that this administration is thinking through and not sharing. I thank Miss Underwood for recognizing this issue and for offering this amendment and I yield back. Thank you very much.
▶ 9:12:12Gentleman from New York, Mr. Espiad is recognized to address the amendment. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I also support this amendment. My district has the James J. Peter Peters Medical Center, Veterans Hospital in the Bronx. It treats uh 26,000 veterans annually. Not only does it serve veterans, but the center also conducts research to advance health care for veterans in our nation. and and is as a teaching hospital.
▶ 9:12:42It helps create future health workers. The medical center is also an employer to hundreds of New York City employees. These centers are economic innovators and they save lives. Funds should not be used to further harm veterans. So any closure of a a VA hospital should not be tolerated. I support this amendment and urge my colleagues to do so as well. Thank you.
▶ 9:13:08Are there are there other uh members wishing to address the amendment? Seeing none, the question now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Illinois. The gentle lady has one minute to close. Hello. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, uh Mr. Carter called it a scare tactic and friends, it's scary. Hospitals should not be closing.
▶ 9:13:38We had this debate here in the halls of Congress in the context of reconciliation where we know our rural hospitals are going to be closing. And here we go with a chance to be the hero and protect our VA hospitals. And instead, the majority appears to want to decline. And that to me is unconscionable. Friends, I don't have a VA hospital in my district. This is not about protecting my VA hospital. This is about protecting the health care for America's veterans.
▶ 9:14:08And um I hope that we'll stand up and do the right thing tonight. I yield back. Thank the gentle lady. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Illinois. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nos have Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have risen. Uh, the clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. Mr. Adhalt.
▶ 9:14:39No. Mr. Agular. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Amade. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Case. I. Mr. Mr. Ciscomani. No. Mr. Klein. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde.
▶ 9:15:09No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayer. Mr. Quayer. I Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Deluro. I. Mr. Laurel. I Mr. Diaz. Boltart. No. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. LZ. Mr. Elz. No. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I. Mr. Espayat. I Mr. Espayat. I Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No, Miss Frankle. Mr. Frank. I Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez.
▶ 9:15:40No. Mr. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I Mr. Miss Captor, Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa, Mr. Loa. No, Miss Lee.
▶ 9:16:11Miss Lee, I Miss Latlo, Miss Lllo, No Mr. Lean, Mr. Lean, I Miss Malloy, Miss Mallaloy. No, Miss McCullum. Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. No, Miss Melli. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Morvan. Mr. Morvan. I Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss Perez. Miss. Perez. I Miss Pingri. Miss Pingri. I Mr. Pokean.
▶ 9:16:41Mr. Pokean. I Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Mr. Rashenthaler. Mr. Rashenthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford. No. Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. I Miss Underwood. Hi. Miss Underwood. I. Mr. Valido. No. Mr. Valado. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I Mrs.
▶ 9:17:11Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I Mr. Wac. Mr. Wack. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Mr. Joyce. Gentleman from Ohio. Mr. Joyce. No. There any other members who wish to record or change their vote?
▶ 9:17:41Seeing none, the clerk will tally.
▶ 9:18:21On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nose are 35. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further discussion? Gentle lady from Illinois, Miss Underwood's recognized for an amendment. I have an amendment at the desk number two, Underwood, and I ask unanimous consent that the reading be dispensed with. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and gentle ladies recognized for remarks on her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 9:18:47I rise to offer an amendment to protect the veterans crisis line and VA suicide prevention services our veterans rely on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Of all the disturbing actions this administration has taken to make Americans lives worse, their attacks on a proven life-saving resource are among the most horrific. Let's state the facts. The administration, the Trump administration, let's be clear, has already revealed its plan to fire 83,000 VA employees, including thousands of veterans themselves.
▶ 9:19:18And they've offered no assurance that these cuts won't impact the veterans crisis line. In fact, Secretary Collins even said during his confirmation hearing that his layoffs might impact health care providers with roles other than direct patient care. Does this include the mental health professionals who staff and manage the crisis line? They won't say. Why are they trying to keep it a secret? Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for veterans, claiming over 17 lives each day.
▶ 9:19:47And now it's the top cause of death for active duty service members. That's right. More service members are dying by suicide than in combat. This is already a national security crisis and it needs to remain a top priority for the VA.
▶ 9:20:02The Veterans Crisis Line is a lifesaving resource that has responded to more than 7 million calls, 941,000 chats, 377,000 texts, and has refer referred more than 1.5 million veterans to suicide prevention coordinators. This essential service is the first line of defense for veterans in crisis.
▶ 9:20:25And any attempts to reduce the hours of operation, scale back services, or eliminate staff puts lives at risk. Veterans can't afford to wait on hold when they're facing a mental health emergency. But under the Trump administration's chaotic sta staffing practices, uh that's exactly the risk that we're seeing. These are Americans who have made the unimaginable sacrifices to serve our country. The least we can do is be there for them when they need us the most.
▶ 9:20:54Yet, one of the Trump administration's first actions was to illegally fire thousands of VA employees, including trade responders at the Veterans Crisis Line, only to turn around and then scramble to rehire some of them weeks later. Meanwhile, the Veterans Crisis Line was still receiving an average of 2,600 calls a day. That's a lot. A lot of our veterans in crisis reaching out for help.
▶ 9:21:19and they're reaching out also because they're distressed because of these impending VA cuts and other attacks from this administration. Just last month, VA quietly lifted a freeze on over 100 roles, including support positions for the crisis line and implicit admission that the freeze was already destabilizing it. These are the professionals that our veterans trust with their lives.
▶ 9:21:45They're the ones answering the phone at I don't know what time it is, 12:20 a.m. or 2 am or 4:00 a.m. guiding someone through the darkest moments of their life. And this administration is treating them like political pawns. We cannot afford to play games with veterans lives. So my amendment is simple.
▶ 9:22:07It prohibits any funding from being used to cut or reduce staffing, hours of operation, capacity, or the scope of services provided by the Veterans Crisis Line or any related VA suicide prevention program.
▶ 9:22:24That includes administrative changes that would downgrade its reach and This shouldn't be a partisan issue and I hope that we all can agree that stabilizing this lifesaving resource for our veterans is the right thing to do. This is a common sense measure that's about protecting the people who protect our veterans. Because when a veteran dials that number, someone needs to be there to answer.
▶ 9:22:49I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this amendment and stand up for the full integrity of the Veterans Crisis Line, its people, its mission, and its services and all VA suicide prevention programs. I yield back. I thank the gentle lady. Gentleman from Texas is recognized to respond to the All right, everybody wake up.
▶ 9:23:20I rise in support of this amendment. Is critical that we prioritize veterans mental health care and suicide prevention outreach. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Does any member win wish to uh address the amendment or is a win or when Mr.
▶ 9:23:49Chairman I am happy to associate myself? Seriously, any anyone wish to address the amendment? If not, gentle lady I'll just say amen, Mr. Oh, I'm sorry. Gentle lady from Florida is recognized. Amen. I agree with the chairman. Thank you very much. gentle ladies from Illinois. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To close, I reference veterans who might be in crisis, who might be up at this late hour, and if anyone's watching and they're in crisis, I want to reach out and let them know that 988 is the number.
▶ 9:24:20And you will reach a trained counselor who is there to help you with whatever you're going through. We here in the Congress want to have your back. Thank you for your service. I yield The amendments adopted. Oh, well, sorry. I actually have to ask for a voice vote.
▶ 9:24:48So, probably assume too much. All those in favor say I. I. Oppose. No. Boy, this very good. Okay, with that, uh, if we have more amendments, obviously Mr. Lean is recognized, uh, for an Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.
▶ 9:25:14Without objection, the reading of the amendments dispensed with and the gentleman's recognized for remarks on his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know it's very late and I know we all want to go home, but I just ask you to listen to me just for a minute or two. I offer the simplest amendment you're going to see tonight. It's a simple up or down on whether or not we're a co-equal branch of government, whether or not the appropriations committee that I'm new to, but many of you have been here for decades actually has the power of the purse.
▶ 9:25:42Article one says, and I quote, "No money shall be drawn by the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law." End quote. That's the basic authority of this committee. I would argue it's the most fundamental power in the Congress. We all work pretty damn hard to get here and to get on this committee. We were elected to decide how taxpayer dollars are spent, not to write blank checks for the executive or specifically for the Office of Management and Budget.
▶ 9:26:09I know the director of the OM has a different view, but the Empowerment Control Act in 1974 is clear. We have the power of the purse. We have the ability to authorize the programs and to fund them. So I ask you all protect this institution. Protect the role that the framers gave us. They gave Congress. They gave us the power of the purse. Full stop. And that's all this amendment says. No tricks. I'm not going to read the whole thing.
▶ 9:26:38But it's simply the respect America's Constitution amendment. I fear, my colleagues, that if we don't defend the power of the purse right now in this moment, we may never get it back. I'm going to say that again. If we don't defend the power of the purse right now, right here, we may never get it back. Some of you might think this is funny or a joke. I don't. I care how these tax dollars are spent. We're responsible for $2 trillion a year.
▶ 9:27:06We damn well ought to live up to that We're either co-equal or we're not. Mr. Chairman, I'll yield back. Thank the gentleman and uh appreciate the amendment. I just would ask him not to rub it in for those of us that have been here decades. So with that, uh recognize my friend Mr. Carter to respond to the amendment. I rise in opposition to this amendment.
▶ 9:27:34This amendment is an attempt to tie the hands of President Trump and his administration's work to cut waste, fraud, and abuse. The bill has reprogramming requirements as proposed. This is a duplicative of the current of current language. I urge my colleagues to oppose the Thank you. The gentle lady from Florida, the ranking member of the subcommittee is recognized for a response to the amendment.
▶ 9:28:04Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment and I want to thank Representative Le Leaven for offering it. I'll remind my colleagues or make some aware that weren't aware that earlier last month, VA Secretary Collins sent to our committee a notification, and I want to emphasize this, a notification that he planned to move $343 million between accounts at the VA. He did not ask us permission, which every administration, whether Democratic or Republican, has done and is required by law.
▶ 9:28:35I raised this issue with him at our VA budget hearing, and I want to thank both Chairman Cole and Chairman Carter for backing us up because we do actually occasionally stand up for our power of the purse. Since then, we've received confirmation that those funds remain in place and have not been moved. This committee and this Congress have never faced such unprecedented attacks on our authority and our role in this democracy.
▶ 9:29:01Our constit our constitutional responsibility our article one responsibility is appropriations. What we do here we are a committee one of two named in the constitution. This amendment reaffirms that the congress has the power of the pur strings not the executive branch. We don't need to be standing up for the executive branch here. We need to stand up for our co-equal branch of government. We have to unite as appropriators to support this amendment. And I thank Mr. Leven for offering it.
▶ 9:29:31And I yield back. Thank the gentle lady. Uh are there other members wishing to comment? Gentle lady from Connecticut. The ranking member of the full committee is Thank you. I'll say it again. I rise in support of this amendment which does something all of us should be able to agree on.
▶ 9:29:58It states that the bills we are writing in this chamber are indeed law and they become the law of the land when we pass them in the house bipartisan in a bipartisan way and then and then they pass them in the Senate in a biccameal way and the president signs these laws uh these bills into law. It is the law of the land.
▶ 9:30:22I wish we did not need to be offering such a seemingly obvious amendment, but these are no ordinary times. The Congress's authority and this committee's very relevance, its relevance are being directly cha challenged by a lawless administration every single day. The Constitution, Article One, Section Nine, Clause 7. Read it.
▶ 9:30:51reread it and maybe it'll give you a toughness about what we stand on in the appropriations committee. If it is true that there are Democrats, there are Republicans and there are appropriators, then now is the time for appropriators to really to stand up and preserve our constitutional authority over the power of the purse. Um, we're not the first to assert the power of the purse. As I said, it's in the Constitution.
▶ 9:31:21But Alexander Hamilton, and I quote, "Where the purse is lodged in one branch and the sword in another, there can be no danger." A founding father, with respect to the suggestion that the president has a constitutional power to decline to spend appropriated funds, we must conclude that existence of such a broad power is supported by neither reason nor precedent.
▶ 9:31:48Chief Justice William Even the president does not have unilateral authority to refuse to spend quote end quote. Justice Kavanaaugh than for the DC circuit. No area seems more clearly the province of Congress than the power of the purse.
▶ 9:32:08Chief Justice Roberts, much as we love the president, if Congress, in its omnipotence over appropriations and in accordance with its authority over policy, passed a law that garbage should be put on the White House steps, it would be our regrettable duty as a bureau and an impartial, non-political, and nonpartisan way to advise the executive and Congress as to how the largest amount of garbage could be spread in the most expeditious and economical ical
▶ 9:32:38manner. Charles Daws who was chair of the appropriations committee many many years ago. Now if you think about let's let's move up.
▶ 9:32:50Antinine Scalia proudly proclaimed as much and no liberal torchbearer, I might add, proclaimed as much in reference to the Supreme Court's decision in Train versus City of New York that there is no inherent authority of the president to impound funds to steal funds appropriated by the by the Congress. There is no unilateral authority to refuse to spend. If you This is a myth.
▶ 9:33:21The myth of presidential empowerment power goes all the way back to 1789. And if there has been a refusal of funds or there has been a delay of funds, that power has emanated from the Congress and not from the president. We are a nation of laws under the Constitution.
▶ 9:33:47Eeroding the Constitution inevitably erodess the freedom and liberty and the prosperity of Americans. If the appropriations committee cannot agree that the reources that we appropriate in law are indeed the law, the land, then why are we here? I urge my colleagues and I thank Congress 11 for introducing this amendment.
▶ 9:34:17I urge you to support this amendment. Hold on to the power that the Constitution has given appropriators. That's why we serve on this committee and we have jurisdiction over $1.6 trillion every year. If we let it go, if we give it over to the executive, then we ought to look for another committee to be a part of. I yield back. Thanks, gentle lady.
▶ 9:34:46Uh, is there are there other members? Gentleman from Maryland's recognized to address the amendment. Mr. Chairman, chairman of the subcommittee. Mr. Chairman, the chairman of the said that this amendment was designed to tie the president's hands.
▶ 9:35:14It was the founders who tied the president's hand. They did not want a King George. They did want a president, George, subject to the responsibility given to this body of which we are the principal representative as the appropriations And if we defeat this amendment, we erode that
▶ 9:35:44responsibility and that charge given to us by the constitution to which we raised our hand and swore and that we would bear truth to that and pledge. This amendment speaks to what the founders absolutely intended us to be.
▶ 9:36:10A republic, not a monarchy, a representative government, not a tool of the leader, whoever that leader may Let us summon some sense of integrity in our votes.
▶ 9:36:32and not simply be subject to some knee-jerk reaction that one side proposed it and therefore it must be wrong or rejected. I ask you to support this amendment. Thanks gentlemen. Are there other members wishing to address the Seeing none, the gentleman's recognized for one minute to close. Colleagues, I ask you, what are you afraid of? What are you afraid of?
▶ 9:37:02Voting against this amendment is voting to undermine this institution that we were all duly elected to. We were elected to serve the interests of roughly 750,000 constituents all across this great country. It's the honor of a lifetime for me. And as I look around this room and I see all the portraits of all the great chairs of this committee over these past decades, what would they say right now to each of you?
▶ 9:37:30Would they tell you to abdicate your responsibilities under the Constitution to undermine the interests of this institution? For what? Because you're afraid of what? You were elected. You were elected. Remember that. vote yes on this amendment. We are the House of Representatives. You are the elected representatives of the people. I yield back. I thank the gentleman.
▶ 9:37:58The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. Opinion of the chair, the nose have it. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient numbers of hands have been raised. Uh, so the clerk will call the role. Mr. Adder Halt. Mr. Adder Holt. No. Mr. Aguular. Hi. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred.
▶ 9:38:28No. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbert. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Case I Mr. Sisammani Mr. Sisammani no Mr. Klene Mr. Klein no Mr. Cloud Mr.
▶ 9:38:58Cloud no Mr. Klyurn I Mr. Klyurn I Mr. Clyde Mr. Clyde no Mr. Cole no Mr. Cole no Mr. Quay I Mr. Quaar I miss I Mr. Lauro I Mr. Deloro I Mr. Diaz Bolard Mr. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elzie. Mr. Elsie. No. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I. Mr. Espayat.
▶ 9:39:28Hi. Mr. Espay. I. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss. Frankle. Miss. Frank. I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I Mr. No.
▶ 9:39:58Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Yes. Miss Captor. I. Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I Miss Latlo. Miss Llo. No, Mr. Lean. Hi, Mr. Leven. I Miss Mallaloy. Miss Mallaloy. Miss Mallaloy. No, Miss McCullum. Miss McCollum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr.
▶ 9:40:28Molinar. No, Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Hi. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Morvan. Mr. Murvan. I Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss Perez. Miss Perez. I Miss Pingri Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Russianthaler Mr. Russianthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr.
▶ 9:40:58Rutherford Mr. Rutherford no Mr. Simpson Mr. Simpson no Mr. Strong Mr. Strong no Mrs. Mrs. Torres I Miss Underwood I Miss Underwood I Mr. Valado Mr. Valado no Miss Wman Schultz I Miss Wman Schultz I Mrs. Watson Coleman Mrs. Watson Coleman I Mr. Wac Mr. WAC no Mr. Zinci Mr.
▶ 9:41:26Zinci Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Seeing none the church the clerk will What's Gabriel?
▶ 9:42:19On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nose are 35. The amendment is not adopted. Is there any further amendment or discussion? Believe Mr. Leven is recognized for an amendment. Mr. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and I ask for unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Without objection, the reading the amendments dispensed with and the gentleman's recognized uh for remarks on his amendment. Mr.
▶ 9:42:43Chairman, I was deeply disturbed to hear reports of disruptions and life-saving clinical trials because of some of the policies we're seeing. The administration has canled thousands of VA contracts. There was recently a report that a Doge staffer with no medical experience used AI to identify which contracts to end. The administration's also fired thousands of probationary employees only to realize their mistake and hire some of them back.
▶ 9:43:08And then finally, the administration's instituted a federal hiring freeze preventing local VAS from hiring the staff they need to manage and execute clinical trials. We still don't know the full extent of what's been done because of these clinical trial interruptions. That's why I'm proposing this amendment. We need to know exactly how many clinical trials were delayed, which policies were responsible, and how many veterans were impacted.
▶ 9:43:30This memo would require the VA inspector general to investigate and report to Congress whether any clinical trials have been cancelled, paused, or delayed since the start of the administration. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and I yield back. Thank the gentleman. Gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter's recognized to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 9:43:51I rise in opposition to this This bill fully funds Medicare, medical and prosthetic research to better understand the unique needs of veterans. The VA gave a 90-day extension to research employees whose appointments were due to expire. The extension was an effort to ensure continuity of the VA res research efforts.
▶ 9:44:22The department has vowed vowed its commitment to continue clinical trials. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Thank the gentleman. Uh the gentle lady from Florida, the vice chair of the subcommittee, Miss Wasman Schultz, recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of Mr. Leven's amendment. Um this is a little personal for me as a cancer survivor.
▶ 9:44:48Quite frankly, at a recent VA budget hearing, I asked Secretary Collins about a disturbing revelation on how his indiscriminate staff firings and planned program cuts are having a direct and negative impact on cancer treatment at the VA. Leaked emails from VA staff showed that more than a thousand veterans would lose access to treatment for diseases ranging from metastatic head and neck cancers and kidney disease to traumatic brain injuries.
▶ 9:45:14These emails further revealed that enrollment in clinical trials is stopping, which we all know means veterans lose access to life-saving therapies. In correspondence between doctors and their supervisors at the VA, the doctors said this administration's actions were causing quote severe and immediate impacts, including to quote life-saving cancer trials. This issue hits close to home for me as a cancer survivor, and I've worked hard on this committee to boost funding with bipartisan support for cancer research.
▶ 9:45:43While at the hearing, the secretary dismissed the evidence from the dozens of emails written by VA doctors and medical professionals. And these these emails were from VA staff in multiple locations from Pennsylvania to Michigan to Colorado. It is clear that there is an issue at the VA regarding clinical trials and cancer treatment, but the secretary once again has not been forthcoming.
▶ 9:46:04This amendment will bring transparency, which we've been trying to do all night, and allow us to finally understand exactly how this administration's policies are threatening cancer treatments for veterans. Regardless of what is in our bill, we have to make sure we get to the bottom of what they're doing in the in the VA as an agency.
▶ 9:46:24so we can make sure that what we put in our bill actually goes to taking care of veterans and doesn't let the VA indiscriminately do whatever the heck they want regardless of the funding that we've provided in our bill. So I support the amendment and thank Mr. Lean for doing it. members wishing to address the amendment. Gentle lady from Illinois is recognized to address the amendment. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of Mr.
▶ 9:46:5111's amendment to require a report on the Trump administration's reckless and dangerous attacks on the VA medical research and clinical trials. This is research that saves veterans lives, improves treatment for all Americans, and reflects our deep commitment to those who have served our nation honorably. Cutting clinical trials at the VA isn't about improving government efficiency. There's nothing efficient about rolling back medical breakthroughs.
▶ 9:47:17This is about gutting a program that's been a global leader in innovative treatment and a lifeline for veterans facing the toughest diagnosis imaginable. The VA has been responsible for medical breakthroughs that have changed lives from the first implantable cardiac pacemaker to pioneering prosthetics for amputees.
▶ 9:47:37In fiscal year 2024, the VA had over 7,200 active research projects across 102 sites nationwide, supported by more than 3,600 principal investigators, and published over 11,000 peer-reviewed research articles. But right now, that progress is under threat, and veterans are feeling the impact of it in real time.
▶ 9:48:03Just ask Curtis Lloyd, a Naval veteran who moved to be closer to the Pittsburgh VA so he could participate in a promising clinical trial for a new cancer treatment. Treatments for veterans like Mr. Lloyd were abruptly paused when contracts were cancelled and research staff were let go as part of the Trump administration's hiring freeze and staff purge. This isn't only wasteful, it's cruel.
▶ 9:48:30The Trump administration's reckless actions have disrupted care, derailed groundbreaking research, and once again broken promises to our veterans. This amendment is about transparency and accountability. We need a full account of what's been lost, and we need it now before the situation gets even worse. As a nurse, I know firsthand how evidence-based care saves lives. I know that our veterans deserve nothing less.
▶ 9:49:00So, I will be voting yes on this amendment and I thank Mr. Leven for offering it. I yield back. Thank are there other members wishing to address the amendment? Seeing none, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. Mr. Chairman, I'll be brief. I I just want to quote the Doge staffer who was interviewed about the damage that may have been done when he used AI to try to figure out which contracts to cut.
▶ 9:49:28He said, and his name is Sahil Levia. He said, and I quote, "I think that mistakes were made. I'm sure mistakes were made. Mistakes are always made with regard of his use of AI. All we're asking is for Congress to have some basic oversight here to understand which of these contracts were cut that shouldn't have been cut, which clinical trials were impacted. Anybody in this room who has a veteran in their district should want this information and I hope you vote yes. With that, I yield back. Thank the gentleman.
▶ 9:49:57The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair that nos have it. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Aderhalt. No. Mr. Adder Holt. No. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Amday. Mr. Ammedday. No.
▶ 9:50:27Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. No. Mr. Carter. No Mr. Carter. No, Mr. Casease. Hi, Mr. Casease. I Mr. Mr. Sisammani. No, Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. No, Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No, Mr. Mr. Klyber. I Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No, Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Mr. Quay.
▶ 9:50:58I. Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Loro. Mr. Deloro. Mr. Diaz Bolard, no. Mr. Diaz Bolard, no. Mr. Edwards, Mr. Edwards, no. Mr. Miss Escobar, Mr. Escobar, I. Mr. Espayat, hi. Mr. Espay, I Mr. Fleshman.
▶ 9:51:28Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Miss Frankle. I Mr. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Hi. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. Hi. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Joyce. No. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. I. Miss Captor. I.
▶ 9:51:58Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. I. Miss Lee. I. Miss. Let Miss Latlo no Mr. Lean Mr. Leven I Miss Mallaloy Miss Mallaloy no Miss Miss McCullum I Miss Ming Miss Ming I Mr. Molinar Mr. Molinar no Mr. Moore Mr. Moore no Mr. Morelli I Mr. Morelli I Mr. Morvan I Mr. Mvan I Mr. New House Mr.
▶ 9:52:27New House no Miss Perez Miss Perez I Miss Pingri I Miss Pingri I Mr. Pokean Mr. Pokean I Mr. Quigley Mr. Quigley I Mr. Rashenthaler Mr. Rashenthaler no Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers no Mr. Rutherford Mr. Rutherford No Mr. Simpson Mr. Simpson no Mr. Strong Mr. Strong no Mrs. Torres Mrs. Torres I miss Underwood I Miss Underwood I Mr. Valado Mr.
▶ 9:52:55Valado no Miss Werman Schultz Miss Wasserman Schultz I Mrs. Watson Coleman Mrs. Watson Coleman I Mr. Mr. Wac. Mr. Wak. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from Texas. Mr. Else votes no. Mr. Gentleman from Mr. Alfred votes no. Mr. Luro is not recorded. Mr. Who? Mr. Loro.
▶ 9:53:23U gentle lady from Connecticut is not recorded. Not recorded. Yes. Moro votes high. Thank you. Are there others wishing to change or record their vote? If not, the T clerk will tally.
▶ 9:54:23On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nose are 35. The amendment is not adopted. There further amendments discussion. I believe Mr. Lean is recognized for an amendment. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. I ask for unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Without objection, the reading the amendments dispensed with. The gentleman's recognized for remarks on his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And to speed things up, I will not ask for a roll call vote on this amendment.
▶ 9:54:50One of my top priorities as a member of the Milcon subcommittee is to ensure every junior enlisted service member has a safe and clean place to live. I'm so proud to represent Camp Pendleton. And while local leaders have worked hard to improve the conditions of the barracks for our Marines and sailors, too many of our service members are living in rundown facilities. I've seen them myself. We've got to do better than that for our service members.
▶ 9:55:11So, I am deeply concerned about the impact of this federal hiring freeze and the proposed uh reduction in force at the DoD, particularly as it pertains to the construction and maintenance of barracks across the country. So, I'm proposing this simple amendment which would require the Army Corps and NAVFAC to issue a report on staffing since the beginning of the year. We owe it to our men and women in uniform to know exactly how the policies are impacting our ability to provide safe housing for our service members.
▶ 9:55:39I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back. Thank you very much. Uh gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment. I rise in opposition to this amendment. I support Secretary Hess's uh efforts to build a leaner, more lethal force and streamlining of DoD operations.
▶ 9:56:06This report would distract department from achieving the reforms badly needed. I urge my colleagues to oppose this Thank you. We now recognize a gentle lady from Florida, the vice chair of the subcommittee, Miss Wasserman Schultz, to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment.
▶ 9:56:31Military construction projects cannot happen without the expertise provided by the Army Corps of Engineers and NAVFAC. Um, it's hard to understand how they could become distracted by seeking a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment on staffing since the beginning of the calendar year. Um, if we lose this vital institutional knowledge, the result is clear. Projects will suffer delays and safety concerns will increase. And while when Milcon projects suffer delays, service members quality of life suffers.
▶ 9:57:02Readiness is impaired. the cost of these projects skyrocket, further limiting the number of projects this committee is able to fund. Then we have our projects that we care about the most pushed further down the list like Mr. Cloud has. These subject matter experts are a perfect example of why indiscriminate hiring freezes and other policies intended to reduce staffing across the board are short-sighted policies.
▶ 9:57:25As the services are still trying to put together a full picture on the scale of their civilian workforces who are impacted by policies like the deferred resignation program. This is a timely amendment for the committee to gain information on civilian positions which are essential to the operation of military construction programs. I'm not against finding inefficiencies within DoD. We're all for a more efficient and effective government.
▶ 9:57:49But this administration's actions aren't trying to make the government work better, but rather slash the federal workforce to adhere to a poorly thoughtout campaign promise. Staffing decisions should be done in a thoughtful and careful manner to not jeopardize crucial institutional knowledge that underpin programs like Milcon. Thank you, Congressman Levven, and I support the amendment and yield I thank the gentle lady.
▶ 9:58:13Are there other members wishing to address the Seeing none, the gentleman is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, respectfully, all we're asking for here is the very basic amount of oversight that anybody with junior enlisted service members in their congressional district should want. All we're asking for is a report to indicate the extent to which people involved in military construction projects have been let go. Nothing more, nothing less.
▶ 9:58:43Very simple. And evidently that's going to be controversial, too. With that, I'll yield back. I thank the gentleman. The question is now in the amendment offered by the gentleman from California. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendments not there. I believe Mr.
▶ 9:59:12Lean is recognized for another amendment. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and I ask for unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Without objection, the reading of the amendments dispenseed with and the gentleman's recognized for remarks on his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As I mentioned just a minute ago, I joined the Milcon subcommittee to ensure that every service member has a safe and clean place to live among uh other reasons, but that's certainly an important one. And when you see the conditions of the barracks across the country, you may agree.
▶ 9:59:43Barracks managers are a key part of that effort. Barracks managers are responsible for supervising maintenance reports for the repairs to the barracks and for inspections and military bases all across the country, including in many of your districts. They play a critically important role in ensuring problems are addressed quickly. However, since barracks managers are often civilians, including in my district, they're not exempt from any federal hiring freeze.
▶ 10:00:09My amendment, very simple amendment, would require the DoD to analyze the impact of the freeze and the firings of essential staff and the deferred resignations on the bareric manager workforce. Again, this is a largely civilian workforce. We can't allow anything to harm the lives of our junior enlisted service members, particularly if their barracks are falling apart and their barracks managers are no longer employed. So, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 10:00:41Thank the gentlemen. My good friend, Representative Carter from Texas, recognize, respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in Whoops. I rise in opposition to this Although I share my colleagues concern on barracks conditions at DoD. I cannot support the politicization of the issue for the purpose of anti-Trump talking points. I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment.
▶ 10:01:13Thank the gentleman. Uh the gentle lady from Florida, the vice chair of the subcommittee, Miss Wasman Schultz, recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment because I'm greatly concerned that barracks managers are being swept up in this administration's broad-based efforts to reduce the civilian DoD workforce, including the hiring freeze. This isn't political. This has nothing to do with how we feel about the Trump administration.
▶ 10:01:41This has to do with making sure that the quality of life of our service members is is at the top of our priority list. And while I understand the services have the option to request waiverss for positions, we don't have clear information yet on how many positions are or are not being affected by the freeze. And this amendment would address that lack of information from the administration.
▶ 10:02:03Why do you not care about getting the information we need to conduct the oversight and for us to make decisions about what we spend in this bill? Cutting back these positions may seem like a niche issue, but that and that's that that's not a big deal to some, but if you've been on the Milcon VA subcommittee that you will know that we have had horrific problems with privatized military family housing and lack of oversight that DoD and the services
▶ 10:02:34had when it came to taking care of the really poor conditions. And the same goes for barracks. And we put funding in these bills to add that layer of oversight. But it's details because it's details like this that matter and show why the administration's haphazard indiscriminate approach to policy in the name of of efficiency will actually have the opposite effect.
▶ 10:02:58GAO found numerous deficiencies in the condition and oversight of DoD unaccompanied housing in its report titled military barracks. Poor living conditions undermine quality of life and readiness. These bar barracks were not prioritized for far too long. GIO provided 31 recommendations to address the lack of attention to DoD barracks. Among those recommendations was for the services to examine barracks manager positions and whether those positions should be full or part-time and whether they should be civilian or military.
▶ 10:03:28Having the right people in these positions is essential to promote proper maintenance of these facilities. We don't want our our service members, our unaccompanied uh service members to be living in a hell hole. That that affects retention. That that that affects the their quality of life. We have heard time and time again from the services about how small problems which are not addressed in a timely fashion lead to large milsiz problems over time.
▶ 10:03:53Barracks manager positions are an important piece of the puzzle in turning around the declining conditions of military barracks. cutting these positions now, which they are trying to do, not only worsen the billions of dollars in unaccompanied housing shortfalls, but it's not good policy and it is not an efficient use of of taxpayer funds. So, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Thank the gentle lady. Are there other members wishing to address the Seeing none, the gentleman's recognized for one minute to close.
▶ 10:04:24I thank the chairman. You I'm looking again at the amendment. It's one paragraph. You can read it yourself. There's nothing political, not one iota of anything anti- administration. This is all pro- marine, sailor, soldier, airmen. It's about making sure they have a decent place to live. I've toured scores of the barracks on Camp Pendleton. Some of them are great. Some of them are in really bad shape. And we owe them a a great deal of gratitude for all the work they do every single day in defense of this country.
▶ 10:04:54And the least we can do is make sure they have a clean and habitable place to live with proper ventilation and you know with working plumbing. I mean this isn't rocket science here. The barracks managers, those of you I know you've all toured your your districts, your bases. The barracks managers are critically important. All we're asking for is the basic modicum of oversight to understand what is happening on the ground. Earlier obviously I was very disturbed. We It seems we gave up our power to appropriate funds.
▶ 10:05:24I don't want to give up our power of oversight as well. I know I'm the new guy, but I thought that's what this committee did was conduct oversight as well as appropriate funds. Thank you, and I'll yield back. I thank the gentleman. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, the nos have it. A roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised.
▶ 10:05:54The clerk will call the role. Mr. Aderhalt. Mr. Aderhalt. No. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Aguilar. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Amade. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calvert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Case. Mr. Casease. I. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No, Mr. Klene. Mr. Klene. No, Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No, Mr.
▶ 10:06:26Mr. Klyurn. I Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No, Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quayar. Mr. Quay. I Mine. Miss Dean. I Mr. Deloro. I. Mr. Lauro. I. Mr. Diaz. Boltart. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Ellie. Mr. Ellie. No. Mr. Esco. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I Mr. Espott. Hi, Mr. Espott. I Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss. Frank.
▶ 10:06:56I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. Yes. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Ivy. I. Mr. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa.
▶ 10:07:28No. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I Miss Lllo. Miss Latlo. No. Mr. Leven. Mr. Leven. I. Miss Malloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss. McCollum. Miss. McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I. Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Mr. Moore, no. Mr. Morelli, hi. Mr. Morelli, I Mr. Murvan, I Mr. Mvan, I Mr. New House, Mr.
▶ 10:07:56New House, no Miss Perez, Miss Perez, I Miss Pingri, I Miss Ping, I Mr. Pokean, Mr. Pokean, I Mr. Quigley, Mr. Quigley, I Mr. Russianthaler, Mr. Russianthaler, no, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Rogers, no Mr. Ruford, Mr. Ruford, No, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. I. Miss. Underwood. Miss. Underwood. I. Mr. Valido. Mr. Valido. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz.
▶ 10:08:27Miss. Wasman Schultz. I Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. I. Mr. WAC. Mr. WAC. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. No. Does any member wish to record their vote or change their vote? Gentleman from California. Mr. Harter. I any other member wish to record or change their vote? Not the clerk will tally.
▶ 10:09:33On this vote, the eyes are 28, the nose are 35. The amendment's not adopted. There any further amendment or discussion? Miss Dean is recognized for an amendment. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, ranking member, ranking members, uh, chairs.
▶ 10:10:02Uh, I know the hour is getting late, but I ask everybody, uh, to please support my amendment number one, which would simply increase funding for the veterans crisis line by $5 million. It's a very small increase investment.
▶ 10:10:18I am heartened to see that we did come together on a single bill, a single amendment here, uh that we do recognize in a nonpartisan way, in just a human way that we have a serious problem in this country with those who have served and the support that they need. When you consider that every single day 18, 20, 22 veterans, men and women, take their own lives because of the struggles and the service that they have offered this country.
▶ 10:10:48I mean every single day, I mean yesterday, I mean today, I mean tomorrow, every single day, we lose somewhere in the area of 20 veterans. I have a an a veterans advisory panel. We meet quarterly. They're from all over the country. I have one in particular who's out in San Diego. He's just an extraordinary man, Brian.
▶ 10:11:13I talked to him yesterday because he's been working on the issue of veteran uh suicide and and just trying to help his comrades and brothers and lost so many friends, men and women he has served with. Uh and he said, "We sometimes feel forgotten. We sometimes feel abandoned." and he said it's harder on the older ones. Sometimes we find that older veterans are struggling even more.
▶ 10:11:38So, this simple amendment would simply add five uh million dollars uh to the line item under mental health programs, taking it from 306 million to 311 million. Um when you think about it, about 7,000 veterans die a year of suicide. We always discuss these unique challenges and I really have to say that whether it was Mr.
▶ 10:12:04Bishop or uh Representative Underwood or Judge Carter uh and all of uh the members of the Democrats just recognizing this crisis. The Veterans Crisis Hotline offers a safe place. It's judgmentf free to talk to seek resources for mental health assistance. If any veteran is listening now, as Lauren said, call 988.
▶ 10:12:28We want to make sure it is always adequately, robustly, and smartly uh staffed with well-trained people to answer the phone, to take in your concerns, to take you in in your challenge and your darkest times at a time when maybe nobody else can. It is confidential. It is toll-free. It's an online chat. You can text. It's 24/7. I want everybody to know that, you know, it was launched in 2007.
▶ 10:12:58Uh it's available to all veterans uh whether or not they have enrolled uh in VHA services. Uh as I said, 988 is the number. We should invest more because by doing so, we save lives. Since its launch, the Veterans Crisis Line has received as of July of last year more than 8 million calls. That's our veterans.
▶ 10:13:238 million of them in time of need had a helpful person on the other other line. More than 975,000 chats, more than almost 400,000 texts, and has referred more than 1.5 million veterans to suicide prevention coordinators. It's saving lives.
▶ 10:13:44A 2022 study found that veterans who called uh VCL were over five times more likely to report reduced distress at the end of that call. Nearly five times more likely to have decreased suicidal thoughts. 11 times more likely to experience less urgency regarding their suicidal feelings.
▶ 10:14:06This is consistent with other studies that have found that calling the VCL may increase contact uh with health care uh VA health care and behavioral health care. As this administration continues with chaos and uncertainty, we've talked about the 24 uh persons who answered these important calls being dismissed and then I guess uh we hope all being brought back on.
▶ 10:14:31We have a chance with this simple amendment and just an additional investment of $5 million to save more lives. And to send that message that I think you sent so strongly just a moment ago that we care about every veteran's life. We care about every veteran's mental health. Uh we stand with you uh and we are here to hear your concerns. Call upon any one of us. Uh just as I know uh my veterans advisory panel takes calls.
▶ 10:15:01Uh and with that I yield. Thank the gentle lady. The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter is recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. recognize the distinguished vice chairman, excuse me, ranking member of the uh subcommittee, Miss Wasserman Schultz, Florida on the amendment.
▶ 10:15:31Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am glad that we could come together to make sure that we all send a clear message that we prioritize making sure we save our veterans in crisis. And I yield back and urge support of the amendment. Are there any other me uh members who care to address the amendment? Seeing none, the gentle lady is recognized for one minute to close.
▶ 10:15:57I want to tell you on behalf of my constituents and I'm thinking of my veterans at VFWs in the fourth congressional district of Pennsylvania. Thank you. Amen. We now have a uh questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Pennsylvania. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted.
▶ 10:16:30You are welcome. We'll see if you can develop a streak. gentle ladies recognized for an I have an amendment at the desk. Mr. Chairman, I do ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. Without objection, the reading of the amendments dispensed with. Gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. I'd love to be on a roll here. Again, I do thank everyone for their support.
▶ 10:16:59Um, my amendment has to do with PFAS, uh, POA POS, the contamination that comes, uh, and it's very often, uh, legacy, uh, from firefighting foam on different, uh, naval bases, uh, veterans bases, uh, air bases. Um, I first learned of the contamination of POS, uh, when I was a state representative, maybe about eight or nine or 10 years ago.
▶ 10:17:26I didn't know anything about it because of course PFAS is uh not something you can see or touch or taste or smell. Uh it is invisible but it is that forever chemical or set of chemicals frankly uh that was used is used in so many products but is used so heavily in firefighting foam. Uh we have a retired uh naval air base.
▶ 10:17:47My own brother, uh, my late brother Harry, who was in the Navy, served as a, uh, hydraulics mechanic on that base, and he would describe how they would run drills and they would fill hangers with this firefighting foam in order to, uh, know how to put out uh, chemical fires. Uh, you can imagine uh, fires from fuel, jet fuel.
▶ 10:18:11Uh it turns out that the manufacturers of PAS have known what is actually my entire lifetime, decades and decades and decades they have known the harm associated the harms associated with POS contamination. It's in the soil it gets into the water. Uh and so it has taken a very long time but states have begun to address it.
▶ 10:18:36Uh and finally uh the our our government the EPA has addressed it and set the safe uh maximum contamination level at four parts per trillion. POS is something you can filter for. So it's not as though it's impossible to get it out of the drinking water. And so finally EPA and many states uh came up with what is an acceptable four parts per trillion drinking water.
▶ 10:19:02Uh what this amendment would do uh is simply say that on B facilities, these retired bases, that the DoD must recognize uh that uh maximum contamination level and set their maximum contamination level for the turning over of these bases like the one in my area in the Willow Grove area at the four parts per trillion. It's a simple amendment.
▶ 10:19:27uh as I say uh what Pifos is uh is something that does not break down over time and it is associated with immunological disorders and many cancers uh many uh that affect uh men, women and children in my area. We are doing a health study to see um if we can get people some extra treatment for these uh high risk of cancers. Uh, so it's a simple amendment and I'm hoping I can earn your support.
▶ 10:19:56We're on a roll here. We're almost out. Uh, and I Thank gentle lady. The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter, is recognized to respond to the amendment. Well, no luck. I oppose this amendment.
▶ 10:20:14I support remediation of DoD sites and have included an additional $50 million above the president's budget for PIFA remedi mediation in the bill. However, standards must be based on science and economic feasibility.
▶ 10:20:34amendments seek to impose on costly Biden administration standards that are not supported by sound science. I urge my colleagues to oppose this Thank you. The gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wasserman Schultz, recognized for her response on the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 10:21:00chairman and I rise in support of this amendment because we should remediate PAS at closed military installations one time and properly. We should not remediate contamination to a lower standard that isn't science-based just to have to redo the same work again at an increased cost to the taxpayer. Last year, the EPA published a regulation setting maximum contamination levels for drinking water of four parts per trillion of PFOS and PFOA, two prevalent POS forever chemicals.
▶ 10:21:29The administration walked back parts of the EPA regulation and while the PFOS and PFOA standards still hold, the compliance deadline is being delayed. That that is really problematic to the health and well-being of people who live near or near these closed bases. DoD should plan now to push forward with the EPA standard, which is backed by sound science.
▶ 10:21:53The science behind the EPA's regulation is clear and pushing the problem down the road achieves nothing when DoD's PAS remediation efforts are already long and drawn out at much to mine and others frustration. So locking in a DoD policy of remediating to the new regulatory standard and prevent DoD from remediating to a lower standard only have to have to pay the cost to restart all of its planning and survey work makes no sense and is damaging.
▶ 10:22:20It costly in time and money even when done efficiently and we need to make sure that we're measuring contamination to levels from the new standard so that we can make sure that that is based on sound science. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Thank the gentle lady. Do any other members wish to address the amendment? Gentle lady from Connecticut, the ranking member of the full committee.
▶ 10:22:44I I just to say very quickly with regard to our firefighters, 9% are at a greater risk, higher risk of being diagnosed for cancer. And if you go to any firehouse, if you're talking to any of the firefighters, they will tell you it's it's not about the um the equipment uh that they need or uh other u um um fire trucks, etc.
▶ 10:23:11The latest they'll tell you about the diagnosis, the high incidence of diagnosis with cancer uh from PAS. And so, uh, I I just want to applaud, uh, the the gentle lady for this, uh, for this amendment. And, uh, we ought to be doing everything we can, uh, for, uh, everyone who comes into contact, uh, with these forever chemicals. Uh, but I wanted to particularly point out the danger to our Thank the gentle lady.
▶ 10:23:41Do any other members wish to address the amendment? Gentle lady from Minnesota is recognized. Mr. Chair, I'm from 3M Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, the place where Ephas was created. The only company I think in the United States who is working to clean it up, putting research dollars to it, other chemical companies have walked away from it. So 3M has a legacy that right now they're not proud of.
▶ 10:24:08They're not proud of the way it was handled in the past, but they've they have been um cleaning up. I have one, two, three big cities who have to filter their water to get PAS out fish advisories. But here's some good news. And so, Mr. Carter, Judge Carter, I hope in the future we can work together to accept this amendment. Let me give you some good news.
▶ 10:24:34I'm a strong supporter of your amendment, Adam, uh to ensure that the Department of Defense cleans up PIA pollution at Brack installations. And it's it's a triple F that's in the fire extinguishers. And when I go on bases and I'm in hangers, I'm checking all the extinguishers all the time. And I'm happy to report Department of Defense has cleaned out the old extinguishers.
▶ 10:24:59Our responsibility to surrounding to clean up contamination does not end when an installation closes. Um, I have cleaned up many installations not from Pifos and Pifoa, but from other chemicals that have been left in Ardan Hills and New Brighton, where we're filtering water from army munitions plants.
▶ 10:25:23But just last month, the Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed nationwide limits for drinking water for POS and POA at four parts per trillion. This amendment would require the DoD to remediate POS contamination at those levels. Anything less would be passing the buck for cleanup contamination for drinking water systems. Now, here's the good news. As chair of the defense appropriations uh subcommittee, working with my ranking member at the time, Mr.
▶ 10:25:51Calbertt and the 117th Congress. It was directed to spend uh $700 million to address PAS on military bases in communities across the United States. It included funding for detecting and cleaning up POS contamination on DoD uh installations and for research to develop new destruction technologies.
▶ 10:26:14Last month, I was able in Minnesota to celebrate the start of one of those defense department's key research demonstrations into PIFA destruction. Destruction was at Lake Elmo, Minnesota. It is a a test that's been worked in junction with General Dynamics and Bay West.
▶ 10:26:36US Army Engineer Research and Development Center working together with these private industry partners are using a technology called supercritical water oxidation. It works. This EPA tested and verified technology has the potential to safely and permanently destroy what we refer to as forever chemicals, breaking down POS and to a non-toxic waist stream, water and mist.
▶ 10:27:06The DoD is already funding the most innovative and effective members me ways to destroy PAS. The department's working to bring those technologies to scale and it would ensure um that they could be used at Brack installations on on active duty bases and yes out in our communities.
▶ 10:27:26PAS contamination and um would would would change um especially as I pointed out in my district in Minnesota, the EPA has confirmed it's necessary that we do everything we can to protect human health when it comes to this. So, I thank Miss Dean for offering her amendment and I know at this point you're not accepting it, but I think if we can continue to work, the next test is going to be at a military base in North Carolina.
▶ 10:27:56They did a test at at Lake Elmo. They're showing civilian and military application for cleaning this up. This is a gamecher, folks. This is exciting. And so if we can scale this up, we need to work together to make sure we clean up Brack bases, we clean up military bases, and we do what we can to clean up contaminated water in our area.
▶ 10:28:18I thank the the gentleoman for offering this amendment and know that we continue to work with you in the Department of Defense Appropriations Committee on cleaning this up. I yield Thank the gentle lady. Are there other members wishing to address the Seeing none, the gentle lady is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I thank my colleagues for joining me uh with your wise words and your experience uh with all of this.
▶ 10:28:46Um it is uh based on science. This is not just pulled out of the air that it should be uh four parts per trillion uh that would be a safe level uh in drinking water. This is based on uh scientific research that's been done over a long period of time. Again, I want to remind people that the producers, Dupant in particular, knew exactly what was at risk here and and they are not working to clean it up.
▶ 10:29:12They knew for six, seven decades of the risk to the surrounding community, to the people who worked on these bases. Uh if you have any doubts about it, take a look at the movie Dark Waters from a couple of years ago. It will show you uh all the legal cases and the science uh that was connected with it. And I'll close with this. I I was a state representative in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Constitution has one of the most beautiful constitutional amendments there was ever written written in the 70s.
▶ 10:29:42Uh and it says article 1 section 27 says we the people of Pennsylvania have the right to clean air, clean water, and the preservation of our natural aesthetic for now and for generations to come. Not just when times are flush and we can afford to do these things. it is our right in Pennsylvania. Uh and I look forward to maybe working with you, judge, uh that maybe we could come to some understanding in a future amendment or a future bill. And I yield back.
▶ 10:30:12Thank the gentle lady. Uh the question is now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Pennsylvania. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nos have it. A roll call vote has been requested. A sufficient number of hands have been raised and the clerk will call the role. Mr. Aderhalt, no. Mr. Adder Holt, no. Mr. Aguular. Mr. Aguilar. I. Mr. Alfred.
▶ 10:30:43Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Ammedday. Mr. Amade. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calvert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Case. I. Mr. Mr. Ciscomani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klene. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyber. Mr. Klyber. I Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Quay. Mr.
▶ 10:31:13Quayer. I miss Dean. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Loro. I. Mr. Loro. I Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. LZ. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I Mr. Espayat. Mr. Espayat. I Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss. Frank. I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. No.
▶ 10:31:43Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. No. Miss Captor. I Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. I Miss Lee. Miss Lee.
▶ 10:32:12I Miss Llo. Miss Llo. No. Mr. Leven. Mr. Lean. I Miss Mallaloy. Miss Mallaloy. No. Miss. McCullum. Miss. Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Murvan. Mr. Mane. I Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss. Perez. I.
▶ 10:32:42Miss. Perez. I Miss Pingri. I Miss Pingri. I Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. I Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. I Mr. Russianthaler. Mr. Russianthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford, no. Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Miss Torres. Mrs. Torres. I. Mrs. Miss. Underwood. Hi. M. Underwood. I. Mr. Valido. Mr. Valado. No. Miss. Wasman Schultz. Hi. Miss. Wasman Schultz. I. Mrs. Watson.
▶ 10:33:12Coleman. Hi. Mrs. Watson. Coleman. I Mr. WAC. Mr. Wack. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. Are there any Excuse me. Are there any members uh wishing to record or change their vote? Gentleman from Texas. Mr. Elsie, no. Gentleman from California. Yes. Mr. Harter. I There are any other members wishing to change or record their vote? If not, the clerk will tally.
▶ 10:34:21this vote. The eyes are 29, the nose are 34. The amendment's not adopted. And a gentle lady from Texas, Miss Escobar is recognized for the purpose of an amendment. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unan unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, the reading of the amendment's dispensed with and the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 10:34:47This amendment strikes section 260 of the base bill text which prohibits the VA from reporting a veteran to the federal background check system known as NYX unless a judge or court rules that the veteran poses a risk to themselves or others.
▶ 10:35:05I know many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle may support the original language of the bill because they want to increase rightful access to firearms or because they believe this language will protect due process for veterans who could be wrongly determined by the VA to be mentally incapacitated. However, I believe this egregious and underlying provision does the very opposite. It goes too far in undermining long-standing law and public safety.
▶ 10:35:36And keeping this provision in the bill poses a great risk to our veterans, their loved ones, and their communities. Though most gun owners believe in safe, responsible ownership and handling of their firearms, the language in this bill does not align with those values.
▶ 10:35:54Allowing firearms in the hands of a veteran or anyone else for that matter who is mentally incapacitated or found to pose a risk to themselves or others is deeply irresponsible, endangering the safety of the veteran and their loved ones during their darkest moments. Further, this undermines the existing process within the VA where a veteran gets due process rights.
▶ 10:36:22In fact, veterans can pursue an appeal if they believe they were wrongly deemed incapacitated, including through the Board of Veterans Appeals or the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Placing the burden of making these short and long-term health determinations on our backlogged court system would allow far too many veterans to fall through the cracks. Every veteran who falls through the cracks is one we have failed to protect as a country and a Congress.
▶ 10:36:50And I say that because a host of research recognizes that one of the most significant challenges to veteran suicide prevention efforts is easy access to lethal means. Both my district and my home state of Texas know all too well the devastating consequences of not being proactive on this matter. In January 2023, a veteran in my community died by suicide in the parking lot of the El Paso VA.
▶ 10:37:20Just days ago, a VA police officer tragically discovered a veteran in the driver's seat of his vehicle at the Macallen VA clinic who had died by suicide, his shotgun still positioned between his legs. These tragic and heartbreaking circumstances simply cannot continue. And we know that addressing veteran suicide is twofold.
▶ 10:37:43through delivery of urgent and accessible mental health services as well as enhanced protections from lethal means for our veterans experiencing mental health crisis or severe brain health challenges just long enough to be able to save our veterans when they and their loved ones need it the most. We cannot be derelictked in our responsibility to best care and protect our veterans in their most vulnerable moments.
▶ 10:38:11I respectfully urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Thank you very much. Chair recognizes gentleman from California, Mr. Carter to California. It's getting late. Well, I just wanted to see if you were still awake. Yeah. Well, I you know, that's insulting actually. You say when you say that to a Texan, you're going to get a quick response. I just wanted to make sure. But you're still there. Okay. I apologize for that. That's all right.
▶ 10:38:41I You're still my first cousin up there in Thank you. At least you didn't say Nevada. So, um anyway, I recognize my good friend, Mr. Carter from Texas, uh and uh recognize him to respond to the amendment. I rise in opposition to this amendment. Section 260 was agreed upon in a bipartisan manner in and is the law of the land.
▶ 10:39:12This provision protects second amendment rights of vet for for for their the veterans. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. I'd like to speak to Miss McCulla just a minute. I'd like to know when that that test comes up. I I would like to know. I know my colleague would like to know. PAS is a is a big deal to both of us. If they would even let us come watch it. We'd love to watch it, I believe.
▶ 10:39:42So, let us know. I'm sure this young lady will would like to be there, too. If they'll let us if they'll let us watch the test because uh it would be really earthshattering. and I yield back. Thank you. The uh I recognize my good friend, the gentle lady from Florida, got the state right this time uh to respond to the amendment. Gentle is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 10:40:10Um you've seen flashes of how uh in sync Judge Carter and I have been over many years this evening. Yeah. even when even though we have disagreed um more often than not tonight. Um I I rise in support of this amendment. The writer included in the base bill is an example of generating controversy where there is none at the expense of veteran safety.
▶ 10:40:35This bill prevents VA from reporting a beneficiary that has been deemed mentally incompetent based on medical evidence and therefore is assigned a fiduciary to protect them in handling their finances from reporting to the National Instant Criminal Background check system as is required by long-standing federal law.
▶ 10:40:55The existing program to prevent veterans who are a threat to themselves or to others from gaining access to a firearm has a full due process system and veterans have access to an appeals process to ensure veteran rights are protected. The process of applying for disability benefits is separate from the processes by which veterans receive VA healthcare. The Veterans Health Administration does not take away veterans firearms.
▶ 10:41:18However, by implying that VA bureaucrats are going to take guns away from veterans, this provision not only does nothing to increase access to care, it seeks to dissuade veterans from even seeking the healthcare they've earned in the first place. The reporting of individuals to NYX is meant to keep veterans and those closest to them, excuse me, safe. We have a major issue with veteran suicide, and suicide by firearm is the most commonly used suicide method.
▶ 10:41:44Veterans experience higher suicide rates than non- veteran adults and 75% of veteran suicides involve firearms. This trend has tragically been increasing. We must deploy every tool we have to stop veteran suicide as we saw the consensus we have on that tonight. But this po poison pill rider does nothing to protect our veterans and its inclusion in this bill is a deal breakaker. Uh so thank you to Congresswoman Escobar for her tireless work to end veteran suicide.
▶ 10:42:11I support the amendment to strike this rider and encourage my colleagues to do the same. I yield back. Thank the gentle lady for comments. I now recognize my good friend from Georgia, Mr. Clyde, to address the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in very strong opposition to this amendment, which would strip away critical Second Amendment protections from the very veterans who honorably served our nation to defend these constitutional freedoms. I urge all of my colleagues to vote no on this amendment.
▶ 10:42:40You know, federal law enacted in 1968 called the Gun Control Act prohibits individuals who have been adjudicated as a mental defective, and I quote, from possessing or acquiring firearms. This restriction is enforced primarily through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System or NIKS, which is consulted during a retail firearm purchase.
▶ 10:43:03At the same time, the Department of Veterans Affairs allows service disabled veterans to receive their hard-earned benefits through a fidiciary when the VA determines that they are unable to manage their own finances. However, this determination is often made by VA officials who are not mental health professionals. When the VA makes such a determination, the veteran is automatically reported to NYX as a mental defective, resulting in the loss of their Second Amendment rights.
▶ 10:43:31This happens without any judicial finding that the veteran poses a danger to themselves or to others. And the requirement here is adjudication. That means by a judge. In other words, service disabled veterans who simply need assistance with their financial matters can be stripped of their constitutional rights not by a judge, but by an unelected bureaucrat at the VA. The veterans are faced with an unacceptable choice.
▶ 10:43:57either receive the benefits that they've rightly earned and risk losing their Second Amendment rights or retain their constitutional rights and not get their benefits. This is a shameful and unjust dilemma, particularly for those who risk their lives in defense of our freedoms. I want to thank Chairman Carter and Chairman Cole for including section 260 in this bill, a vital provision that protects our veterans from the government unilaterally revoking their God-given Second Amendment rights.
▶ 10:44:29This language, section 260, would correct these problems by prohibiting the VA from reporting beneficiaries to nicks without a finding from a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority that the beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others. This ensures that a beneficiary is given due process under the law. So, this dangerous amendment would remove that protection. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 10:44:59I thank the gentleman. The chair recognizes the distinguished ranking member of the full committee, Miss Deloro, for her comments relating to the amendment. It is also my understanding that there is a due process procedure and the veteran can appeal. So, the notion that there is no due process is is false.
▶ 10:45:19Um, I rise in support of this amendment which would strike a writer that prevents the VA from reporting a beneficiary's information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System or Nyx for the purposes of prohibiting the transfer of a firearm by a licensed firearm dealer. I pause there and it is crucial to note two things.
▶ 10:45:43First, this writer does not change federal law or regulations that bar these beneficiaries from possessing a fire firearm. Second, over 6,400 veterans die by suicide each year. And veterans account for roughly one in five firearm suicides in the United States. For veterans and non-veterans alike, our country's suicide problem is a gun problem.
▶ 10:46:10And there are those who do not want to recognize that this rule has already caused VA to be un unable to appropriately intervene and offer aid to veterans who are experiencing mental health struggles.
▶ 10:46:25Now, each year, nearly 20,000 individuals who are experiencing mental health struggles are able to access firearms every single year in a community that already has one of the highest risks for suicide. This rule was a death sentence in waiting for many veterans. We do not need more needless deaths among our veteran community.
▶ 10:46:54We need to repeal a repeal of this rule immediately. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back. I thank gentle lady. I now recognize my good friend from the great state of Georgia, Mr. Bishop for his comments on this amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 10:47:22I want to thank Miss Escobar for addressing this concern and submitting this very important amendment that seeks to keep our veteran population and their families safe. Just as they faithfully served, sacrificed, and protected us during their military we have a responsibility to protect them and their families.
▶ 10:47:53And that includes the tough, uncomfortable decision of protecting veterans from themselves when that is Changes must be made to this bill to allow the VA to report veterans with documented mental health issues into the National Instant Background Check This amendment is not about taking guns It's about making sure
▶ 10:48:23that protections are in place to keep our veterans safe. Firearms remain the number one method of suicide for veteran population. Without this change, none of us can say in good faith that we are doing what we need to do to prevent veteran suicide. This is a good amendment.
▶ 10:48:53It's a common sense amendment. It's a lifesaving amendment. and I thank Miss Escobar for offering it and I urge my colleagues to adopt it. Thank you and I yield back. Thank the gentlemen. I now recognize gentle lady from Maine, Miss Pingry, for her comments on the amendment. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I can be brief here.
▶ 10:49:19As we've been discussing, this amendment prohibits the VA from using any funds to report a veteran to the NICS system, even if the VA has determined the veteran to be mentally incompetent or incapacitated, unless a judge or court has ruled the veteran possesses a risk to themselves or other. This language in the bill does that.
▶ 10:49:42Unfortunately, in October of 2023, Maine experienced its worst mass shooting with a perpetrator and Army reserveist experiencing a mental health crisis, killing 18 people and injuring 13 before taking his own life. While this may be an extreme example, the United States is in the middle of a gun violence epidemic and veteran suicides, as we know, the majority of which involve firearms. It's a significant and growing crisis.
▶ 10:50:10Approving this measure will invariably put more veterans uh no. Allowing this language to stay in the bill will invariably put more veterans at risk of firearm suicide when the proportion of veteran suicides that are with a gun is the highest it has been in 20 years, 72%. We should not be making it easier for veterans who are in danger to themselves or others to access guns. I yield back. Thank gentle lady.
▶ 10:50:37Are there any other members wishing to address the Seeing none, the gentle lady from Texas is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment is very simple. It is yet another opportunity for us to keep the promise that we make to our veterans to protect them and to keep them safe just as they have protected us and kept us safe.
▶ 10:51:05I ask my colleagues to consider the fact that this does not eliminate due process. In fact, this preserves due process for our veterans. What it does is it makes sure that we're not arming them in their darkest moments and we are death by suicide for our veteran population because we
▶ 10:51:35have chosen not to act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. I thank gentle lady. The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Texas. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair. The nos have it. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. The clerk will call the role. Mr. Adhalt. No. Mr. Adhalt. No. Mr. Aguular. Mr.
▶ 10:52:05Aguular. I. Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. No. Mr. Amday. Mr. Ammedday. No. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. No. Mr. Bishop. Yes. Mr. Bishop. I. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calvert. No. Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter. No. Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. I Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. No. Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. No. Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. No. Mr. Klyurn. Mr. Clyurn. I. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. No. Mr. Cole. No. Mr. Cole. No.
▶ 10:52:35Mr. Quayar. Miss Dean. Miss Dean. I. Mr. Loro. Mr. Loro. I. Mr. Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr. Diaz Bolard. No. Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. No. Mr. Elie. Mr. Ellie. No. Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. I. Mr. Espayat. Mr. Espayat. I. Mr. Flechman. Mr. Fleshman. No. Miss Frankle. Miss Frank. I. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. No. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez.
▶ 10:53:06No. Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. No. Mr. Harter. Hi. Mr. Harter. I. Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. No. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. No. Mr. Hoyer. I. Mr. Hoyer. I Mr. Ivy. Mr. Ivy. I Mr. Joyce. Miss Captor. Miss Captor. I Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. No. Miss Lee. Miss Lee. I. Miss. Let Miss Llo. No. Mr. Levan. Mr. Leven.
▶ 10:53:36I. Miss Malloy. Miss Malloy. No. Miss McCullum. Miss McCullum. I Miss Ming. Miss Ming. I Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. No. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. No. Mr. Morelli. Mr. Morelli. I Mr. Morvan. Mr. Morvan. I Mr. New House. Mr. New House. No. Miss. Perez. Miss. Perez. No. Miss. Pingri. Miss. Pingri. I. Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. I.
▶ 10:54:06Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. I. Mr. Russianthaler. Mr. Rashenthaler. No. Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. No. Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford. No. Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. No. Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. No. Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. I. Miss. Underwood. Miss. Underwood. I. Mr. Valado. Mr. Valido. No. Miss. Wasserman Schultz. Yes. Miss Wasserman Schultz. I. Mrs. Watson. Coleman. Mrs. Watson. Coleman. I.
▶ 10:54:36Mr. Wac. Mr. Wac. No. Mr. Zinci. No. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. So, uh, purple tally. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce is not recorded. You again.
▶ 10:55:07Okay. No, I'm sorry. Uh, any members uh yet to be recorded or want to change their vote? Gentleman from Mr. Joyce votes. No. Any others? Gentleman from North Carolina. You standing back here. He's recorded.
▶ 10:55:25Members not been recorded or care to change their On
▶ 10:56:12this vote, the eyes are 26 and no are 36. The amendment is not adopted. Uh before we move just to advise all of us here, we have one last amendment. Then we have a quick discussion about the arrangement between my good friend the chairman of the committee and the ranking member on the matter that we had earlier. That point will be done.
▶ 10:56:39Uh but be quite before we go there uh just two other points because you'll start moving away quickly as you should. Uh number one remember we start at 10:00 tomorrow. So, it's been a long day, but again, I really want to thank all of you. I appreciate the civility. I appreciate the professionalism, and I appreciate people trying to stay within the time limit. So, thank all of you on both sides.
▶ 10:57:06Uh, just to reiterate, tomorrow, obviously, we have the presidential picnic. Uh, we're going to go till we get done. So, I think we should have enough time. We only have one bill tomorrow, agriculture. But if we don't get done, we're just going to keep moving. So I would advise you if you're planning to go to the presidential picnic and you've got guests or family. No. Is tomorrow the baseball game? Oh jeez. Well, and you mean today's the baseball game? Okay.
▶ 10:57:36Well, then I sort of have good news for you. Uh we will start u you know at 10:00. We only have one bill to do. We will stop at four, which the majority leader has asked us to do. We have participants in this game on both sides. They've worked really hard. They're raising a lot of money for charity. We need to let them go. Uh uh but after the baseball game, if we have not finished, we will come back and conclude.
▶ 10:58:04So again, that's just up to everybody here and any any way you want to do it is fine with me. Uh so I apologize for that. I will tell you when we get to the presidential uh picnic uh we will be again trying to finish up. That's going to be a difficult day for us just because of the amount of work we have. The only reason that's happened uh because we all lost one of our former colleagues and somebody that uh many of us on both sides of the aisle held a deep affection.
▶ 10:58:32His funeral uh you know obviously is on Friday. We want to facilitate members that want to attend that to have that ability. So that's going to put a little extra strain on us. we'll get through it. But we will work until we conclude on on that day. So if you have family or friends and it gets close, I've been advised that the U legislative um liaison office at the White House can your chief of staff can take your guests in.
▶ 10:59:01Uh but again, that's that's what I've heard. I just, you know, we'll try and work with you on both sides of the aisle to facilitate your attendance if that's what you want. So with that, let us move to our last uh I'm sorry. I know our last amendment and we have an agreement. I know we're voting on it. It's an amendment as well. So with that, thank you for correcting me. U I recognize Miss Escobar for an amendment.
▶ 10:59:31Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed. Without objection to reading the amendments dispensed with uh the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Thank you.
▶ 10:59:45This amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a detailed spend plan to lend full transparency into the department's reprogramming of military construction funds to support border barrier construction as well as the redirection of about $1 billion designated for Army barracks renovations and repairs that are now going to support the border mission.
▶ 11:00:11As members of the appropriations committee, it's incredibly important that we protect the power of the purse and ensure a full accounting of funds that have either been reprogrammed or reallocated from their original purpose.
▶ 11:00:25It is even more crucial we do this when some of the funds this report would cover were supposed to provide quality of life improvements for our soldiers through barracks repairs and renovations that every member of this subcommittee knows makes a difference for our men and women in uniform. My amendment cites the September 2023 GAO report that every member of this committee who cares about military quality of life is familiar with.
▶ 11:00:54The title of that report says it all. Military barracks. Poor living conditions undermine quality of life and I was proud to as a part of the House Armed Services Committee to be a member of the task force or the quality of life panel and we endeavored to remedy years of underfunding of barrack sustainment that allowed our military unaccompanied housing to get as bad as it is in the first place.
▶ 11:01:25And I know the chairman and ranking member of this subcommittee maintain the same priorities. The bottom line is that shifting funds from barracks repairs to fund the DoD border operation is a huge shift and that policy change was not ordered by Congress which opted to prioritize the barracks for our service members. Further, reprogramming milcon funds for border barriers does the same.
▶ 11:01:52It impacts the schedule and funds of military infrastructure projects that we all know are planned out years in advance. Allowing these changes to be made without any attempt to enforce degrades our authority as appropriators and it is entirely unacceptable. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Thank the gentle lady.
▶ 11:02:17By way of clarification, we have an additional amendment I was not aware of, but it's been submitted, which is perfectly fine. And I forgot to mention we have the 30 2bs of the four bills we're dealing with this week to approve. So, it's going to take a little bit longer. Not going to take a lot longer. With that, uh, I recognize my friend, Mr. Carter from Texas to address the amendment. I rise in opposition to this amendment.
▶ 11:02:43I share my colleagues concern with improving the conditions of DoD barracks. Yet this report is an attempt to play politics with this important issue. The American public supports a whole of government approach to securing the border.
▶ 11:03:01While my colleagues on the other side want to go back to the failed Biden border policies, I urge my colleagues to oppose this Thanks, gentlemen. The gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wasserman Schultz, recognized to respond to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment.
▶ 11:03:25This amendment would request a spend plan for the department's recent border wall reprogramming request as well as the recently announced plan to move over a billion dollars from army barracks sustainment funding to border activities. The administration might be using different authorities than in the first term when it took money from milcon projects to fund the wall, but the story is the same.
▶ 11:03:46They are stealing congressionally appropriate congressionally appropriated funds to address the backlog of quality of life and readiness infrastructure to pay for a costly border wall. This repo reprogramming request would move $200 million from Milcon funding including from general planning and design funding and referencing that all evening. There's not enough of that. Taking away this funding will negatively impact a range of Milcon projects as the respective services have less money to advance their future pipeline of projects being planned.
▶ 11:04:17I'll just remind my colleagues or let some of you know that aren't aware that 30% of our Milcon infrastructure worldwide is in fair or poor condition. We have a lot of work to do to make sure that the infrastructure that houses our service members, that houses our multi-billion dollar equipment, is actually in good shape and not deteriorating.
▶ 11:04:43It's especially short-sighted that the administration is also moving money destined for maintaining military barracks to pay for border operations. Every year when our subcommittee has a quality of life hearing with the senior enlisted members of the services, prioritizing housing for our service members is always discussed as a top top priority for improving the quality of life of service members and their families. These improvements are necessary to increase the recruitment and retention rates amongst the services which is falling.
▶ 11:05:11As recently as last month, Navy Secretary John Failen toured barracks on Guam and was so shocked by the conditions he saw. The Navy conducted a review of all of its unaccompanied housing. Yet, this administration is simultaneously repurposing funding meant to maintain barracks. To improve the conditions in barracks, we cannot get ahead of the problem by just building new barracks. The services have to have sufficient funding to maintain those barracks or they will continue to fall into disrepair.
▶ 11:05:40I I this is just robbing Peter to pay Paul and it's grossly irresponsible. We have to make sure that we make a commitment to the quality of life of our service members which means infrastructure and what houses them and the equipment that they use is is uh is absolutely vital to recruitment and retention and our national security. So I urge support of the amendment. Thank you gentle lady.
▶ 11:06:08Are there any other members wishing to address the Not gentle lady is recognized for one minute to close. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. When we invested in barracks, we all celebrated that because we knew we would be improving the quality of life of our service members. This amendment, all it does is ask for a spend plan for the sake of transparency. That's it. That's all it does.
▶ 11:06:40spend plan after we appropriated funds last Congress. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Thank you, gentle lady. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Texas. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nos have it. U votes been requested. Can I have a show of hands, please? Never mind. Nope.
▶ 11:07:09Vote has not been requested. Uh, okay. So, with that, the amendment is Oh, not approved. Sorry. Getting late, guys. I'm sorry. I apologize. I really Doing so well. Um, is this second amendment now? Esar. Okay, very good.
▶ 11:07:38Gentle lady from Texas, Miss Eskimar is recognized for an amendment. Thank you. This is my last amendment. I have an amendment at the desk, Mr. Chairman, and I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Gentle lady's recognized for remarks on her amendment. Thank you.
▶ 11:07:57For the awareness of my colleagues, Title 10, US Code Section 2808 is the law that outlines executive branch construction authority in the event of a declaration of war or national emergency.
▶ 11:08:11My amendment would modify existing presidential military construction authority in the event of an executive declaration of war or national emergency so that if the president activates emergency powers to start military construction projects during a war or national emergency, that power will automatically expire after 90 days unless the House and Senate Appropriations Committees agree to keep it going.
▶ 11:08:38This amendment takes a critical step to rein in broad executive authorities when the current administration has demonstrated unprecedented unprecedented willingness to conduct large-scale reprogramming of military construction dollars. All it does is implement a common sense check on this authority, ensuring that Congress has a role in approving the extension of its use for a period longer than 90 days.
▶ 11:09:10This is an entirely appropriate step to assert our authority as Congress over the funds in this budget and future military construction budgets, especially given this administration's track record, where in the first term, I saw both Republican and Democratic colleagues of mine become rightfully furious once they realized the administration's rating of military construction dollars negatively impacted projects.
▶ 11:09:38program for the installations in their district. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Thank you, gentle lady. I recognize the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Carter, to respond to the amendment. I rise in opposition to this amendment. On January 20th, President Trump declared an emergency on the southern border.
▶ 11:10:02The American people support the president's strong action to secure the border and I want him to finish the job. My colleagues on the other side want to prevent him from securing the border by putting an expiration of his declaration of an emergency at the southern border. I stand with President Trump and I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. I yield back.
▶ 11:10:34Thank you, gentlemen. We now recognize my friend, the gentle lady from Florida, Miss Wasserman Schultz, for her response to the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this amendment. This amendment would reinforce this committee's authority, which we've been trying to do all night, over military construction funding to avoid gutting military construction project funding without justification and approval from this committee. This is not a hypothetical possibility.
▶ 11:11:00President Trump took funding from Milcon projects across the country to pay for the border wall construction that Mexico was supposedly going to pay for in his first term. And I and others on this committee fought him every step of the way to protect funding for critical military infrastructure projects. I'd also point out that DoD is still suffering from funding shortfalls and delays in these projects years later.
▶ 11:11:23As recently as last month, this committee received a reprogramming request from the Navy for a project that had been deferred in the in his first term to pay for the wall. When you take money from Milcon projects, it not only causes delays, it costs the taxpayers much more money as the services are forced to re-evaluate their outdated plans and cost estimates. Now, in his second term, the administration is asking to reprogram $200 million more dollars to pay for border wall construction using a separate authority.
▶ 11:11:52This amendment would add a requirement for DoD to get the committee's approval to move funds under the section 2808 authority like it used in President Trump's first term. If there is truly a pressing emergency need for any specific border construction project that is more pressing than the military construction projects that are already approved and OB and on its way on their way to being obligated that this bill would fund, then DoD should be easily able to justify moving funds to address that need.
▶ 11:12:21That is what we do all the time. That is our constitutional responsibility and we are a co-equal branch of government. This isn't politics. It's the constitution. I yield back the balance of my time. Thanks, gentle lady. Is there any further debate on this amendment? Seeing none, the questions now on the amendment offered by Oh, gentle lady is recognized. for one minute to close.
▶ 11:12:51Thank you. I'll be quick. Mr. Chairman, we have been trying all night simply to retake the authority that the Constitution gives us as Congress, which the current administration has usurped. And in many ways, this isn't even necessarily about this administration. This is about our role as members of Congress.
▶ 11:13:18This is about the constitution that we each took an oath to uphold and def defend and whether we will be willing to relinquish the obligation given to us by our voters. So whether it's this issue or any other issue, this is very simple. Do we believe that we deserve to hold the power of the purse? Yes or no?
▶ 11:13:46I urge my colleagues to vote yes. Thank gentle lady. The questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Texas. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. No. Opinion of the chair. The nose have it. And the amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 11:14:16This is our uh last amendment I believe. So I want to recognize my friend Miss Wasserman Schultz uh is recognized for the purpose of amendment. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I have the amendment at the desk and I ask unanimous consent that it be considered as re without objection. The reading of the amendment is dispensed with the gentle lady's recognized for remarks on the amendment. Okay. Take two. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 11:14:40And I want to thank Chairman Carter uh for working with me over the course of this evening to reach what I think is a a good compromise and a step in the right direction. Uh what what this amendment would do is it would advance fund the toxic exposure fund for FY27. Um Judge Carter's second degree amendment would have done it for one year. Our compromise is that we do that for two years and then the funds uh if not expended would revert to the Treasury.
▶ 11:15:10But the important thing here is that we make sure that we advance fund the toxic exposure fund. We provide that guaranteed funding through continuous fiscal years and ensure that you know when we have the you know political evolutions that occur here and machinations that occur here when we have CR as an uncertainty that the promise that we made to toxic exposed veterans in the pact act m is is there is there that commitment
▶ 11:15:40remains and we don't have gaps in their ability to get the the healthcare that we promised them. So, I want to thank Judge Carter for working with me. I offer this amendment and uh and would appreciate the member support and I yield back. Thank for her remarks. I recognize my friend from Texas, Mr. Carter, uh to address the amendment. I thank my colleague for working with us.
▶ 11:16:06Um, we work together pretty well and I uh support this amendment and urge my colleagues to support the amendment. That's how it's done. Any other me any other members seek to address the amendment? Seeing none, the questions now on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Florida. All those in favor say I.
▶ 11:16:36I. All those opposed say no. The opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is adopted. Okay. We have one last item. There are no further amendments. So I now recognize Mr. Rogers for a motion. Mr.
▶ 11:17:05Chair, I move to favorably report to the House the fiscal year 2026 military construction and veterans affairs appropriations bill. When I said last one last item, just to be clear, I meant on this bill, we have one more thing to do after this, so don't plan to leave. questions. Now on the motion to favorably report fiscal year 2026 military construction, veterans affairs and related agencies appropriations bill to the house.
▶ 11:17:34All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been raised. Uh clerk will call the role. Mr. Adder Holt I. Mr. Adderhalt. I Mr. Aguilar. Mr. Aguular. No, Mr. Alfred. Mr. Alfred. I Mr. Amade. Mr. Amade. I Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. I Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop.
▶ 11:18:04No. Mr. Calbertt. Hi. Mr. Calbert. I Mr. Carter. Hi. Mr. Carter. I Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. No. Mr. Ciscomani. Mr. Sisammani. I Mr. Klene. Mr. Klein. I Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. I Mr. Klyber. No. Mr. Klyber. No. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. I Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole. I Mr. Quayar. Mr. Quayar. No. Miss Dean. Miss Dean. No. Mr. Deloro. Mr. Loro. No. Mr. Diaz Bolard.
▶ 11:18:35Mr. Diaz Bolard. I Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. I. Mr. Ellie. Mr. Ellie. I. Miss. Escobar. Miss. Escobar. No. Mr. Espayat. Mr. Espay. No. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Flashman. I. Miss. Frankle. Miss Frankle. No. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. I. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. I Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest. I. Mr. Harter.
▶ 11:19:05Dr. Harris. Dr. Harris. I. Mrs. Henson. Mrs. Henson. I. Mr. Hoyer. Excuse me. No. Mr. Hoyer. No. Mr. Ivy. No. Mr. Ivy. No. Mr. Joyce. Mr. Joyce. I. Miss Captor. No Miss Captor. No, Mr. Loa. Mr. Loa. I Miss Lee. Miss Lee. No, Miss Latlo. Miss Latlo. I Mr. Lean. Mr. Levan. No. Miss Mallaloy. Yes.
▶ 11:19:35Miss Malloy. I Miss Miss McCullum. No. Miss Ming. Miss Ming. No. Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. I. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. I. Mr. Morelli. No. Mr. Morelli. No. Mr. Mr. Morvan. No. Mr. Morvan, no. Mr. New House. Mr. New House. I Miss Perez. Miss Perez. I Miss Miss Pingri. No. Mr. Pokean. Miss P. Mr. Pokean. No. Mr. Quigley.
▶ 11:20:06Mr. Quigley. No. Mr. Rashenthaler. Hi. Mr. Rashenthaler. I Mr. Rogers. Hi. Mr. Rogers. I Mr. Rutherford. Hi. Mr. Rutherford. I Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. I Mr. Strong. Hi, Mr. Strong. I Mrs. Mrs. Torres. No. Miss Underwood. Miss Underwood. No. Mr. Valido. Mr. Valido. I Mrs. Wasserman Schultz. No. Miss Wasserman Schultz. No. Mrs. Watson Coleman. No. Mrs. Watson Coleman. No. Mr. Wac.
▶ 11:20:37Mr. Wack. I. Mr. Zinci. Mr. Zinci. I. Do any members wish to record or change their vote? Gentleman from California. Do any other members wish votes I. Any other members wish to record or change their vote? Mr. Harter votes no. Do any other members want to reconsider their vote?
▶ 11:21:10The clerk will tally.
▶ 11:21:44on this vote. The eyes are 36, the nose are 27. The motion is agreed to. Congratulations. One down, 11 to go. And I would ask you to congratulate your staffs both personal and committee who have worked really hard to make this day possible. So gentle lady's request is recognized.
▶ 11:22:13Um ask unanimous consent that staff be permitted to make technical and conforming changes to the bill and report just approved. Three days. three days. Seeing no objection, so ordered. Our next order of business is consideration of the interim 302B subcommittee allocations for fiscal year 2026 for our first four bills.
▶ 11:22:42These interim allocations will allow us to begin our work. As we move forward, the committee is prepared to do hard work line by line to uphold the fiscal discipline and effective governance. Our FY26 process will target resources where they're needed most, reinforce the safety and security of the American people, and invest in high impact missions. We'll take every step to ensure strong stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
▶ 11:23:10charting a responsible fiscal path requires discipline and discretionary spending while also acknowledging that mandatory spending is the primary driver of our long-term debt. Both are part of the conversations Republicans are having across committees of jurisdiction because of securing America's future prosperity is a goal we all share.
▶ 11:23:33So as we turn to our responsibility on discretionary side of the ledger today, these allocations not only demonstrate responsible governance, but they also represent our core commitments to advancing the America first agenda, to strengthening our national defense, supporting the safety and security of the American people, fully funding health care for our nation's veterans, and ensuring that the government remains focused on its core missions. I look forward to a robust debate today.
▶ 11:24:03I urge all members to support these 302B allocations. I would now like to recognize ranking member Deluro for her remarks. Mr. Hoyer's asked if there's a copy of the 302B allocations.
▶ 11:24:28I have I have a copy and we distributed a um distributed information about that. You should have a copy, Mr. Hoy. Uh I believe they were actually circulated to the offices, so everybody should be in possession. Everybody should have a copy of it. Yes. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh these are incredibly challenging times to be an appropriator uh on either side of the aisle.
▶ 11:24:54I will just say that the Republicans have failed to provide funding plans across the entire government. The majority has asked this committee to approve the entire budget for the Department of Defense without a word on how to keep the rest of the government operational and put a stop to the Republicans worsening the cost of living crisis. The process quite frankly is absurd.
▶ 11:25:18We are beginning the appropriations process without a full slate of subcommittee allocations or for that matter without a complete budget request from the administration.
▶ 11:25:33We're flying blind and handcuffed into the critical work of providing discretionary funding for programs and for services across the government that help to grow the middle class to protect the working class, support small businesses, to grow our economy.
▶ 11:25:51This is important business that cannot be done without a complete vision for how we are going to plan to fund this government. And I would just say and we distributed a um a a information about the 302bs where we have no information. We have military construction, agricultural, defense, homeland, nothing.
▶ 11:26:20Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Interior and Environment, Labor, HHS, Education, Legis Ledge Branch, State Foreign Ops, Transportation, HUD. That is incomprehensible that we do not know where we're going overall in trying to put together these uh uh the these bills. And I would just say this is presiding over an absurd process.
▶ 11:26:47And what I do is I ask my colleagues to please vote against the uh 302B Thank gentle lady for comments. Are there other members wishing to make general comments?
▶ 11:27:00Gentleman from Maryland's recognized The budget act clearly comprehended a rational process. And what's a rational process? The 302A gives us $1,000. Then we divide it by 13. Now we divide it by 12.
▶ 11:27:33and then we figure out who's going to get the most because who needs the most? and you allocate it with consideration for the needs of all 12 of the objects of your allocation. How can you do that when you only have four and you don't know what's the rest left now? Uh labor health's the last bill we do. What if we run out of money? Some people would say, "Oh, yeah, that's good.
▶ 11:28:02I got you." But this is not a rational process, Mr. Chairman, the only way to allocate fairly and to have the committee say we need X number of dollars to accomplish the objectives that are set before our committee is to have all 12 allocated at the same time and everybody know what share goes to what committee. I don't think you're going to do that, but it's the right way to do it.
▶ 11:28:33However you vote. Do other members have comments? I got to say something. Gentle lady from Ohio's recognized. Well, first of all, Mr. Chairman and ranking member, I want to thank you for your demeanor. Uh, as what time is it? Yeah. Well, I got about 40 minutes.
▶ 11:29:02things I want to say and I know I'll be very popular, but I have never seen a budget process like this. I want to thank the chairman of the full committee for his patience and attempt to try to piece something together, but obviously we have nothing from the administration. Uh that was cleared our defense uh hearing this morning. And um uh I don't know who we're waiting for, Russell Vote or whoever he is over there. Can't we get him in here?
▶ 11:29:31Uh, this is the most ridiculous process I've ever seen in 42 years of serving in this Congress and it isn't fair to the people of this country. We are article one. Article one. They aren't. We used to be, right? And so, uh, it just seems to me they're all rubber numbers. Everybody here works hard. Look at the hours we put in today. So, you've created an empty vessel and we're still waiting. What are we waiting for? They're spending money for this parade.
▶ 11:30:00I don't even know what account it's coming out And uh what are they? Got them imprisoned in some cell over there in the uh executive office building. Uh who are these people? We're elected, right? We're some article one. We're we're right in front. We don't have the numbers. We don't have anything from them. So I would, you know, implore my friends on the other side of the aisle. Talk to your friends over there. What?
▶ 11:30:29What are they doing? What are they doing? Uh we've reached a point of absurdity really. And uh we got to depend on you folks on the other side of the aisle to produce something. Whatever they've got, pull it out of them. So I'm just I'm not pleased with the way this looks to the country and to the world. And so we have to depend on our Republican colleagues.
▶ 11:30:52We put a good frosting on it today, but we're marking up to nothing and uh it's not fair to the American people nor this institution. Thank you very Give some rest. Thank gentle lady. Are there other members wishing to make general comments? Seeing none. Thank you.
▶ 11:31:22No further amendments. I recognize Mr. Rogers for a motion. Mr. Chair, I move to adopt the interim sub allocation of budget allocations for fiscal 2026. Questions now on the motion to adopt the interim subcommittee allocations. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinion of the chair, the eyes have it.
▶ 11:31:52Roll call has been requested. Sufficient number of hands have been The clerk will call the role. Mr. Adheralt. Mr. Adhalt. I. Mr. Aguilar. Mr. Aguilar. No. Mr. Alfred. I. Mr. Alfred. I. Mr. Ammeday. Yes. Mr. Amade. I. Mrs. Bice. Mrs. Bice. I. Mr. Bishop. No. Mr. Bishop. No. Mr. Calbertt. Mr. Calbert. I Mr. Carter.
▶ 11:32:23Mr. Carter. I Mr. Casease. Mr. Casease. No. Mr. Sisammani. Mr. Sisammani. I Mr. Klene. It isn't who? Mr. Klene. I Mr. Cloud. Mr. Cloud. I Mr. Klyurn. I Mr. Klyber. No. Mr. Clyde. Mr. Clyde. I Mr. Cole. I Mr. Cole. I Mr. Mr. Quayar. No. Miss Dean. Miss Dean, no. Mr. Deloro, no. Mr. Loro, no. Mr. Diaz Bolard. Mr.
▶ 11:32:53Diaz Bolard. I Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards. I Mr. Elz. Mr. Elsie. I Miss Escobar. Miss Escobar. No. Mr. Espayat. Mr. Espayat. No. Mr. Fleshman. Mr. Fleshman. I Miss Frankle. Miss Frankle. No. Mr. Franklin. Mr. Franklin. I. Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez. I Mr. Guest. Mr. Guest I Mr. Harter Mr. Harter no Dr. Harris Dr. Harris I Mrs.
▶ 11:33:23Henson Mrs. Henson I Mr. Hoyer no Mr. Hoyer no Mr. Ivy Mr. Ivy no Mr. Joyce Mr. Joyce I Miss big no Miss Captor no Mr. Loa Mr. Loa I Miss Lee Miss Lee no Mrs. Latlo Miss Latlo I Mr. 11. Mr. Lean, no. Miss Malloy, Miss Mallaloy. I Miss McCullum. Miss McCullum.
▶ 11:33:53No. Miss Ming. Miss Ming. No. Mr. Molinar. Mr. Molinar. I Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. I Mr. Morelli. No. Mr. Morelli. No. Mr. Mvan. Mr. Morvan. No. Mr. New House. Mr. New House. I. Miss. Miss. Perez. No. Miss Pingri. Miss Pingri. No. Mr. Pokean. Mr. Pokean. No. Mr. Mr. Quigley. Mr. Quigley. No. Mr. Rashenthaler. Mr. Rashenthaler. I Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers. I Mr. Rutherford.
▶ 11:34:27Mr. Rutherford. I Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson. I Mr. Strong. Mr. Strong. I Mrs. Torres. Mrs. Torres. No. Miss Underwood. Miss Underwood. No. Mr. Valido. Mr. Valido. I Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. Miss Wasserman Schultz. No. Thank you. Mrs. Watson Coleman. Mrs. Watson Coleman. No. Mr. Wac. Mr. Wack. I. Mr. Zinci.
▶ 11:34:58Mr. Zinci. I. Are there any members wishing to change their vote or record their vote? Has a Clerk will tally. Great job. Thank you, Lois. That sounds fantastic to me. See you, G3.
▶ 11:35:39Next three will be a piece of cake. On the vote, the eyes are 35, the nose are 28. The motion is agreed to. I ask unanimous consent that staff be permitted to make technical informing changes to report just approved. Seeing so no objection, so ordered. Three days. Without objection, so ordered.
▶ 11:36:10Uh there being no further business, the committee stands adjourned.