Carter Remarks at FY27 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill Full Committee Markup (As Prepared For Delivery)

Thank you, Chairman Cole, and I want to commend your leadership as we begin the fiscal year 2027 appropriations process and wrap up the Committee’s work on the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies bill. I also wish to recognize the Ranking Member of the Full Committee, Ms. DeLauro, and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Ms. Wasserman-Schultz, for their engagement on the bill before us. Especially the work with Ms. Wasserman-Schultz, while there are things we do not agree on, there are plenty we do including, and most importantly, supporting our service members and veterans. I do appreciate our long-standing ability to work together in a bipartisan manner

I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill today. Once again, I know we are moving quickly, but it is important that we do our jobs as appropriators and get moving on this critical legislation. This is a good, bipartisan bill that takes care of our veterans and invests in the operational readiness and quality of life projects for our service members.  

The bill before us provides the Department of Veterans Affairs and related agencies $137.8 billion in non-defense discretionary funding, as well as $323 billion in mandatory funding, to fulfill our obligations to our veterans. 

We have an obligation to ensure our veterans get the benefits and care that they have earned, this bill does that while also addressing other critical issues affecting veterans including homelessness, mental health services, and takes care of our women veterans. 

The bill also makes critical investments totaling $19.2 billion in the infrastructure our servicemembers need to work and live. Service members should not need to worry about childcare and housing. Recognizing there is more we need to do, these investments work towards improving the quality of life of our heroes.

As always, we have kept our promise to those who put our nation first. 

I look forward to working with all of you as the bill moves forward, and I ask for your support for this legislation.  Mr. Chairman, I yield back.