SEC. 236. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Sec-
retary of Labor, shall discontinue using Social Security 
account numbers to authenticate individuals in all infor-
mation systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
all individuals not later than September 30, 2026: 
(b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may collect and 
use a Social Security account number to identify an indi-
vidual, in accordance with section 552a of title 5, United 
States Code, in an information system of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs if and only if the use of such number 
is necessary to: 
(1) obtain or provide information the Secretary 
requires from an information system that is not 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; 
(2) comply with a law, regulation, or court 
order; 
(3) perform anti-fraud activities; or 
(4) identify a specific individual where no ade-
quate substitute is available. 
(c) The matter in subsections (a) and (b) shall super-
sede section 237 of division J of Public Law 117–328. 
SEC. 237. For funds provided to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00067
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
for ‘‘Medical Services’’, section 239 of division A of Public 
Law 114–223 shall apply. 
SEC. 238. None of the funds appropriated in this or 
prior appropriations Acts or otherwise made available to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs may be used to trans-
fer any amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Com-
pensation Fund to any other account within the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 239. Of the funds provided to the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and fiscal 
year 2027 for ‘‘Medical Services’’, funds may be used in 
each year to carry out and expand the child care program 
authorized by section 205 of Public Law 111–163, not-
withstanding subsection (e) of such section. 
SEC. 240. None of the funds appropriated or other-
wise made available in this title may be used by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement re-
lated to resolving a dispute or claim with an individual 
that would restrict in any way the individual from speak-
ing to members of Congress or their staff on any topic 
not otherwise prohibited from disclosure by Federal law 
or required by Executive order to be kept secret in the 
interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign af-
fairs. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 241. For funds provided to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, 
section 258 of division A of Public Law 114–223 shall 
apply. 
SEC. 242. (a) None of the funds appropriated or oth-
erwise made available by this Act may be used to deny 
an Inspector General funded under this Act timely access 
to any records, documents, or other materials available to 
the department or agency over which that Inspector Gen-
eral has responsibilities under the Inspector General Act 
of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), or to prevent or impede the ac-
cess of the Inspector General to such records, documents, 
or other materials, under any provision of law, except a 
provision of law that expressly refers to such Inspector 
General and expressly limits the right of access. 
(b) A department or agency covered by this section 
shall provide its Inspector General access to all records, 
documents, and other materials in a timely manner. 
(c) Each Inspector General shall ensure compliance 
with statutory limitations on disclosure relevant to the in-
formation provided by the establishment over which that 
Inspector General has responsibilities under the Inspector 
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.). 
(d) Each Inspector General covered by this section 
shall report to the Committee on Appropriations of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives within 5 calendar days of any failure 
by any department or agency covered by this section to 
comply with this requirement. 
SEC. 243. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used in a manner that would increase wait 
times for veterans who seek care at medical facilities of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 244. None of the funds appropriated or other-
wise made available by this Act to the Veterans Health 
Administration may be used in fiscal year 2026 to convert 
any program which received specific purpose funds in fis-
cal year 2025 to a general purpose funded program unless 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits written notifica-
tion of any such proposal to the Committees on Appropria-
tions of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days prior 
to any such action and an approval is issued by the Com-
mittees. 
SEC. 245. For funds provided to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, 
section 248 of division A of Public Law 114–223 shall 
apply. 
SEC. 246. (a) None of the funds appropriated or oth-
erwise made available by this Act may be used to conduct 
research commencing on or after July 1, 2025, that uses 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
any canine, feline, or non-human primate unless the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs approves such research specifi-
cally and in writing pursuant to subsection (b). 
(b)(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may approve 
the conduct of research commencing on or after July 1, 
2025, using canines, felines, or non-human primates if the 
Secretary certifies that— 
(A) the scientific objectives of the research can 
only be met by using such canines, felines, or non- 
human primates and cannot be met using other ani-
mal models, in vitro models, computational models, 
human clinical studies, or other research alter-
natives; 
(B) such scientific objectives are necessary to 
advance research benefiting veterans and are directly 
related to an illness or injury that is combat-related 
as defined by 10 U.S.C. 1413(e); 
(C) the research is consistent with the revised 
Department of Veterans Affairs canine research pol-
icy document dated December 15, 2017, including 
any subsequent revisions to such document; and 
(D) ethical considerations regarding minimizing 
the harm experienced by canines, felines, or non- 
human primates are included in evaluating the sci-
entific necessity of the research. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(2) The Secretary may not delegate the authority 
under this subsection. 
(c) If the Secretary approves any new research pursu-
ant to subsection (b), not later than 30 days before the 
commencement of such research, the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate 
and House of Representatives a report describing— 
(1) the nature of the research to be conducted 
using canines, felines, or non-human primates; 
(2) the date on which the Secretary approved 
the research 
(3) the USDA pain category on the approved 
use 
(4) the justification for the determination of the 
Secretary that the scientific objectives of such re-
search could only be met using canines, felines, or 
non-human primates, and methods used to make 
such determination; 
(5) the frequency and duration of such re-
search; and 
(6) the protocols in place to ensure the neces-
sity, safety, and efficacy of the research, and animal 
welfare. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) any violations of the Animal Welfare Act, 
the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care 
and Use of Laboratory Animals, or other Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs policies related to oversight 
of animal research found during that quarter in VA 
research facilities; 
(2) immediate corrective actions taken; and 
(3) specific actions taken to prevent their recur-
rence. 
(g) The Department shall implement a plan under 
which the Secretary will eliminate the research conducted 
using canines, felines, or non-human primates by not later 
than September 20, 2026. 
SEC. 247. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
use amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in 
this title to ensure that the ratio of veterans to full-time 
employment equivalents within any program of rehabilita-
tion conducted under chapter 31 of title 38, United States 
Code, does not exceed 125 veterans to one full-time em-
ployment equivalent. 
(b) Not later than 180 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the programs of rehabilitation conducted 
under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, includ-
ing— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00074
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) an assessment of the veteran-to-staff ratio 
for each such program; and 
(2) recommendations for such action as the 
Secretary considers necessary to reduce the veteran- 
to-staff ratio for each such program. 
SEC. 248. Amounts made available for the ‘‘Veterans 
Health Administration, Medical Community Care’’ ac-
count in this or any other Act for fiscal years 2025 and 
2026 may be used for expenses that would otherwise be 
payable from the Veterans Choice Fund established by 
section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Account-
ability Act, as amended (38 U.S.C. 1701 note). 
SEC. 249. Obligations and expenditures applicable to 
the ‘‘Medical Services’’ account in fiscal years 2017 
through 2019 for aid to state homes (as authorized by 
section 1741 of title 38, United States Code) shall remain 
in the ‘‘Medical Community Care’’ account for such fiscal 
years. 
SEC. 250. Of the amounts made available for the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2024, in this 
or any other Act, under the ‘‘Veterans Health Administra-
tion—Medical Services’’, ‘‘Veterans Health Administra-
tion—Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Veterans Health Ad-
ministration—Medical Support and Compliance’’, and 
‘‘Veterans Health Administration—Medical Facilities’’ ac-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
counts, $1,323,444,000 shall be made available for gen-
der-specific care and programmatic efforts to deliver care 
for women veterans. 
SEC. 251. Notwithstanding any other law, unless pre-
vented by an order issued by a federal or state court, by 
no later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary shall 
commence construction of the Community Based Out-
patient Clinic in Bakersfield, California authorized in sec-
tion 1(a)(3) of Public Law 111–82 and in accordance with 
Lease No.36C10F20L0008 or successor lease. 
SEC. 252. Not later than 30 days after the end of 
each fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress a quarterly report on the status of 
the ‘‘Veterans Medical Care and Health Fund’’, estab-
lished to execute section 8002 of the American Rescue 
Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2): Provided, That, 
at a minimum, the report shall include an update on obli-
gations by program, project or activity and a plan for ex-
pending the remaining funds. 
SEC. 253. Any amounts transferred to the Secretary 
and administered by a corporation referred to in section 
7364(b) of title 38, United States Code, between October 
1, 2018 and September 30, 2019 for purposes of carrying 
out an order placed with the Department of Veterans Af-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
fairs pursuant to section 1535 of title 31, United States 
Code, that are available for obligation pursuant to section 
7364(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, are to remain 
available for the liquidation of valid obligations incurred 
by such corporation during the period of performance of 
such order, provided that the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs determines that such amounts need to remain avail-
able for such liquidation. 
SEC. 254. Unobligated balances available under the 
headings ‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ and ‘‘Construc-
tion, Minor Projects’’ may be obligated by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs for a facility pursuant to section 
2(e)(1) of the Communities Helping Invest through Prop-
erty and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 
(Public Law 114–294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note), as amended, 
to provide additional funds or to fund an escalation clause 
under such section of such Act: Provided, That before such 
unobligated balances are obligated pursuant to this sec-
tion, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from 
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con-
gress the authority to obligate such unobligated balances 
and such Committees issue an approval, or absent a re-
sponse, a period of 30 days has elapsed: Provided further, 
That the request to obligate such unobligated balances 
must provide Congress notice that the entity described in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
section 2(a)(2) of Public Law 114–294, as amended, has 
exhausted available cost containment approaches as set 
forth in the agreement under section 2(c) of such Public 
Law. 
SEC. 255. (a) None of the funds made available in 
this Act may be used to implement, administer, or other-
wise carry out the Department of Veterans Affairs interim 
final rule published on September 9, 2022, or any suc-
cessor to such rule, or to propose, promulgate, or imple-
ment any substantially similar rule or policy. 
(b) None of the funds appropriated in this Act shall 
be expended for any abortion, including through a medical 
benefits package or health benefits program that includes 
coverage of abortion. 
(c) The limitations established in subsection (b) shall 
not apply to an abortion— 
(1) if the pregnancy is the result of an act of 
rape or incest; or 
(2) in the case where a woman suffers from a 
physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness, 
including a life-endangering physical condition 
caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that 
would, as certified by a physician, place the woman 
in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:40 Jun 12, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3944.RH
H3944
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS