Carter, Cole on H.R. 8469: Supporting Veterans, Military Families, Base Posture
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) delivered remarks while leading debate on the House Floor in support of H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027. This is the first FY27 bill to be considered on the House floor.
Watch Subcommittee Chairman Carter's remarks here.
Read Subcommittee Chairman Carter's floor remarks here and below.
"I am honored to present the FY27 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to the House today. This bill supports our troops, their families, and our nation’s veterans.
"I want to thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole for his leadership in advancing this bill through the Committee. I also want to recognize the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Ms. DeLauro, and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, for their partnership in bringing us to this point.
"I especially value my working relationship with Ms. Wasserman Schultz. We have worked together on this bill for some time, and while we may not agree on everything, we certainly agree on the importance of caring for those who sacrifice so much for our country.
"This bill is not perfect, and compromises were made by both sides. Even so, the legislation before us today received unanimous support in Committee. I greatly appreciate the bipartisan efforts of everyone involved. Those efforts demonstrate that bipartisanship is not only possible but can also lead to meaningful legislative success.
"No matter our ideological differences, we can all agree on the importance of supporting our troops, their families, and our nation’s veterans.
"For Fiscal Year 2027, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill provides a discretionary allocation of $157 billion. I would like to briefly highlight several key priorities included in this legislation:
- Fully funds veterans’ healthcare.
- Provides an advance appropriation for the Toxic Exposures Fund.
- Includes $900 million for medical and prosthetic research.
- Prioritizes mental health, suicide prevention, and homelessness programs.
- Includes more than $19 billion for military construction.
- Invests in barracks improvements, strengthens investments in Department of Defense laboratories, supports the demolition of obsolete infrastructure, and provides nearly $2 billion for military housing.
"In closing, this bill honors those who have sacrificed for our country and reaffirms our commitment to the well-being of both service members and veterans. It supports our troops, cares for veterans and their families, and upholds the promises we have made to those who put our nation first.
"I hope this bill receives the same strong bipartisan support on the House floor that it received in Committee, because that is what our veterans deserve.
Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8469, and I reserve the balance of my time."
Watch Chairman Cole's remarks here.
Read Chairman Cole's floor remarks here and below.
"I rise today in support of our first FY27 appropriations bill on the floor – the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
"This legislation reflects something we’ve long understood from our founding: America’s story has always been shaped by ordinary men and women willing to step forward and answer a call greater than themselves.
"A country worthy of sacrifice must also be worthy of the people who made that sacrifice – and our obligation to those who wear the uniform does not end when they return home or hang up their uniform.
"This bill reflects that promise. We are delivering the support, resources, and readiness that make a real difference.
"And you don’t have to rely on my word – the substance of this funding is clear:
"We fully fund veteran health care and benefits;
"We prioritize critical mental health and suicide prevention efforts;
"And we invest in improvements at VA facilities, military cemeteries, and monuments.
"At the same time, this measure reinforces our base posture from the ground up by investing in military construction, improving barracks, and ensuring our installations are equipped to support readiness in an increasingly complex environment. From the Indo-Pacific to commands here at home, strength and preparedness are not optional.
"We also recognize that a strong military is built not only by those on the frontlines – but by the loved ones who support them through every sacrifice. That’s why this bill supports family housing, childcare, and quality-of-life needs for military families.
"Put simply, this legislation strengthens the full foundation of American security through care for our veterans, capabilities for our bases, and construction that supports readiness for the future.
"Chairman Carter’s work reflects the seriousness these responsibilities demand and the lasting commitments we owe to those who serve. Together with Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz, he wrote a bill that earned unanimous support out of full committee because its priorities are grounded in supporting the best of our nation.
"At a time when Americans too often only hear about division and dysfunction, this strong and bipartisan proposal demonstrates that support for our veterans, troops, and military families can still unite this institution around a common purpose.
"Voting 'yes' is a statement that America does not forget those who answered the call to defend her.
"I again thank Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz for their leadership on this measure and urge all members to join me in supporting this bill’s final passage.
"With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back."
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