00:00committee will come to order. Today the Senate Appropriations Committee will
00:07consider the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for military
00:14construction, veterans affairs, and related agencies. Following my opening
00:22remarks and Vice Chair Murray's remarks, we will vote on reporting this important
00:29measure. As I did last week, I would like to begin by thanking Vice Chair Murray and
00:37all the members of the committee along with the committee staff for their hard
00:43work during this appropriation cycle. Last week this committee was able to report
00:53two funding bills, the agriculture and legislative branch appropriation measures.
01:01Each passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Today we continue our work to
01:10advance bipartisan appropriations bills that reflect the priorities of members on
01:18both sides of the aisle and the constituents they represent. I would
01:24note that the committee has received the house passed version of the military
01:29construction and veterans affairs funding bill and we will report it today with the
01:36Senate substitute. I want to also note that Leader Thune has indicated to me that he
01:45has every intention of bringing to the Senate floor the bills that we report. Just like last
01:55week's bills, the MilCom VA funding bill is a member-driven product. It reflects input from 89 senators who submitted a total of 989 requests.
02:11This legislation reflects many of the priorities of nearly the entire Senate.
02:20After the initial vote on the MilCom VA bill, I will recognize the subcommittee's
02:26able leaders, Senators Bozeman and Ossoff, to discuss their work and we will consider any amendments. Let me commend both of them for their leadership and
02:40their hard work in developing the bill that we consider today. This bill addresses key
02:48needs for our military infrastructure including housing improvements for military families. It takes care of our nation's veterans to whom we owe an enormous debt. A debt that we can never fully repay. It helps to fund the VA health care system and
03:09the VA health care system, makes investments to improve mental health care, includes programs to assist in the prevention of
03:18veteran suicide, homelessness prevention programs, supports our family caregivers, and expands care for our rural veterans. It also funds important veterans benefits, including
03:34including disabilities, pensions, the GI bill, and employment training programs. Before I turn to Vice Chair Murray for her remarks, I want to state for the
03:47information of all the Senators present my intention to resume consideration of the Commerce Justice Science and
04:00related agencies funding bill after voting on the MilCom VA bill. As it stands, that bipartisan drafted bill has been amended but
04:13currently lacks the support to be reported, a situation that I hope will change today as more information is provided to the committee. I would now like to recognize the Vice Chair for any comments.
