The U.S. Senate has passed legislation to reopen the federal government and provide full-year funding for several key departments and agencies, including the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), for Fiscal Year 2026. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA), played a central role in advancing a spending measure that funds veterans’ medical care, benefits, and defense infrastructure projects.
Senator Boozman expressed his support for ending the shutdown, stating: “Taking basic government services hostage through a shutdown is costly and tremendously unfair to the American people. This record-breaking stalemate had real consequences for Arkansas families and communities, so I am thankful reason finally prevailed and we are restoring vital funding and benefits instead of prolonging such senseless, harmful chaos.
“I am also proud our bipartisan bill to fund the VA and military construction projects was part of the solution to this impasse. Providing funding that supports America’s veterans, our servicemembers currently serving and sacrificing, as well as their loved ones should always be a top priority. Congress must build on this progress and work together to advance the other full-year funding bills that will serve all Americans,” Boozman said.
The MilCon-VA legislation authored by Boozman secures $93 million for Red River Army Depot projects in Arkansas and provides support for the Arkansas National Guard. The legislative package also fully funds USDA operations for FY26. It extends certain farm programs not covered by previous legislation through September 30, 2026, along with an extension of federal grain inspection activities until January 30, 2026.
The recent government shutdown began on October 1 and became the longest in U.S. history. During this period, Senator Boozman criticized partisan tactics behind the stalemate and voted multiple times to advance nonpartisan funding measures. His offices continued providing information about impacts on federal programs throughout the shutdown.
The continuing resolution approved by the Senate will keep government operations funded through January 30, 2026, while ensuring back pay for all affected federal workers.
Key highlights from the MilCon-VA bill include $19.7 billion allocated for approximately 300 military construction projects worldwide; $133.2 billion designated for VA operations; $115.1 billion specifically earmarked for VA medical care—including mental health services ($18.9 billion), telehealth ($6.4 billion), homelessness programs ($3.5 billion), women veterans’ healthcare ($1.4 billion), opioid misuse prevention ($709 million), rural health initiatives ($342 million), among others; $52.6 billion provided via a Toxic Exposures Fund to implement health care under new laws like the PACT Act; $1.4 billion directed toward new VA hospitals and cemeteries; $3.4 billion supporting electronic health records upgrades at VA facilities; mandatory veteran benefits totaling $263.7 billion; advanced appropriations set aside for future years’ veterans’ healthcare needs.
Funding is also included for related agencies such as:
– The American Battle Monuments Commission ($110 million)
– U.S Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims ($49 million)
– Arlington National Cemetery ($118 million)
– Armed Forces Retirement Home ($80 million)
Other provisions maintain restrictions on changes at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station or relocating detainees within U.S., ban purchases of Chinese-manufactured IT equipment by VA if listed by relevant federal agencies, continue protections regarding reporting veterans with fiduciaries to background check systems without judicial order or finding.
Agriculture-related provisions extend grain inspection activities under current law through January 30, 2026.
Farm program authorities not included in earlier omnibus legislation are extended through September 30, 2026.
