Rutherford Statement on FY26 MilCon-VA Appropriations Act House Passage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05), member of the Houe Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the House passage of H.R. 3844 – Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act, 2026:

“President Trump promised the American people that over the next four years we would refocus our fighting force on keeping our country safe, champion our veterans, support military families, and honor our American heroes. I was proud to vote for this year’s MilCon-VA Appropriations bill in the House to deliver on our promises to combat veteran homelessness, protect Second Amendment rights of veterans, eliminate woke policies from our military, invest in critical military infrastructure, and improve military housing.

"As appropriators, we are focused on delivering real results for the American people by eliminating waste, demanding accountability, and funding American priorities to keep our country strong and promote fiscally responsible. This legislation is worthy of the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, our veterans, and their families and should make all Americans proud."

Included in the bill are Rutherford’s priorities to:

• Fully fund veteran health care programs and benefits

• Provide investment for military construction, specifically in the Indo-Pacific region, and improve military family housing

• Support President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness

• Protect the Second Amendment rights of our veterans

• Codify President Trump’s Executive Orders by removing DEI and gender affirming care and protecting Hyde Amendment-like language at the VA