† HR 3944 EAS 
FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR 
FORCE 
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 
operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leas-
ing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, 
and 
insurance 
premiums, 
as 
authorized 
by 
law, 
$369,765,000. 
FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, 
DEFENSE-WIDE 
For expenses of family housing for the activities and 
agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the mili-
tary departments) for operation and maintenance, leasing, 
and minor construction, as authorized by law, $53,374,000. 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND 
For the Department of Defense Family Housing Im-
provement Fund, $8,315,000, to remain available until ex-
pended, for family housing initiatives undertaken pursuant 
to section 2883 of title 10, United States Code, providing 
alternative means of acquiring and improving military 
family housing and supporting facilities.
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
MILITARY UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING IMPROVEMENT 
FUND 
For the Department of Defense Military Unaccom-
panied Housing Improvement Fund, $497,000, to remain 
available until expended, for unaccompanied housing ini-
tiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, 
United States Code, providing alternative means of acquir-
ing and improving military unaccompanied housing and 
supporting facilities. 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
SEC. 101. None of the funds made available in this 
title shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a- 
fixed-fee contract for construction, where cost estimates ex-
ceed $25,000, to be performed within the United States, ex-
cept Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the 
Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor. 
SEC. 102. Funds made available in this title for con-
struction shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehi-
cles. 
SEC. 103. Funds made available in this title for con-
struction may be used for advances to the Federal Highway 
Administration, Department of Transportation, for the con-
struction of access roads as authorized by section 210 of 
title 23, United States Code, when projects authorized there-
† HR 3944 EAS 
in are certified as important to the national defense by the 
Secretary of Defense. 
SEC. 104. None of the funds made available in this 
title may be used to begin construction of new bases in the 
United States for which specific appropriations have not 
been made. 
SEC. 105. None of the funds made available in this 
title shall be used for purchase of land or land easements 
in excess of 100 percent of the value as determined by the 
Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineer-
ing Command, except: (1) where there is a determination 
of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by 
the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney Gen-
eral; (3) where the estimated value is less than $25,000; or 
(4) as otherwise determined by the Secretary of Defense to 
be in the public interest. 
SEC. 106. None of the funds made available in this 
title shall be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site 
preparation; or (3) install utilities for any family housing, 
except housing for which funds have been made available 
in annual Acts making appropriations for military con-
struction. 
SEC. 107. None of the funds made available in this 
title for minor construction may be used to transfer or relo-
cate any activity from one base or installation to another,
† HR 3944 EAS 
without prior notification to the Committees on Appropria-
tions of both Houses of Congress. 
SEC. 108. None of the funds made available in this 
title may be used for the procurement of steel for any con-
struction project or activity for which American steel pro-
ducers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied the 
opportunity to compete for such steel procurement. 
SEC. 109. None of the funds available to the Depart-
ment of Defense for military construction or family housing 
during the current fiscal year may be used to pay real prop-
erty taxes in any foreign nation. 
SEC. 110. None of the funds made available in this 
title may be used to initiate a new installation overseas 
without prior notification to the Committees on Appropria-
tions of both Houses of Congress. 
SEC. 111. None of the funds made available in this 
title may be obligated for architect and engineer contracts 
estimated by the Government to exceed $500,000 for projects 
to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization member country, or in countries bordering the 
Arabian Gulf, unless such contracts are awarded to United 
States firms or United States firms in joint venture with 
host nation firms. 
SEC. 112. None of the funds made available in this 
title for military construction in the United States terri-
† HR 3944 EAS 
tories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein 
Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, may be 
used to award any contract estimated by the Government 
to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided, That 
this section shall not be applicable to contract awards for 
which the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a United 
States contractor exceeds the lowest responsive and respon-
sible bid of a foreign contractor by greater than 20 percent: 
Provided further, That this section shall not apply to con-
tract awards for military construction on Kwajalein Atoll 
for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid is sub-
mitted by a Marshallese contractor. 
SEC. 113. The Secretary of Defense shall inform the 
appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, includ-
ing the Committees on Appropriations, of plans and scope 
of any proposed military exercise involving United States 
personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, if amounts ex-
pended for construction, either temporary or permanent, 
are anticipated to exceed $100,000. 
SEC. 114. Funds appropriated to the Department of 
Defense for construction in prior years shall be available 
for construction authorized for each such military depart-
ment by the authorizations enacted into law during the cur-
rent session of Congress.
† HR 3944 EAS 
SEC. 115. For military construction or family housing 
projects that are being completed with funds otherwise ex-
pired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds may 
be used to pay the cost of associated supervision, inspection, 
overhead, engineering and design on those projects and on 
subsequent claims, if any. 
SEC. 116. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
any funds made available to a military department or de-
fense agency for the construction of military projects may 
be obligated for a military construction project or contract, 
or for any portion of such a project or contract, at any 
time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after the fiscal 
year for which funds for such project were made available, 
if the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from 
funds available for military construction projects; and (2) 
do not exceed the amount appropriated for such project, 
plus any amount by which the cost of such project is in-
creased pursuant to law. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 117. Subject to 30 days prior notification, or 14 
days for a notification provided in an electronic medium 
pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States 
Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
of Congress, such additional amounts as may be determined 
by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to: (1) the
† HR 3944 EAS 
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund 
from amounts appropriated for construction in ‘‘Family 
Housing’’ accounts, to be merged with and to be available 
for the same purposes and for the same period of time as 
amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; or (2) the De-
partment of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Im-
provement Fund from amounts appropriated for construc-
tion of military unaccompanied housing in ‘‘Military Con-
struction’’ accounts, to be merged with and to be available 
for the same purposes and for the same period of time as 
amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Provided, That 
appropriations made available to the Funds shall be avail-
able to cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan 
guarantees issued by the Department of Defense pursuant 
to the provisions of subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 
10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative means of 
acquiring and improving military family housing, military 
unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 118. In addition to any other transfer authority 
available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be 
transferred from the Department of Defense Base Closure 
Account to the fund established by section 1013(d) of the 
Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of
† HR 3944 EAS 
1966 (42 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for expenses associated with 
the Homeowners Assistance Program incurred under 42 
U.S.C. 3374(a)(1)(A). Any amounts transferred shall be 
merged with and be available for the same purposes and 
for the same time period as the fund to which transferred. 
SEC. 119. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
funds made available in this title for operation and mainte-
nance of family housing shall be the exclusive source of 
funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing 
units, including general or flag officer quarters: Provided, 
That not more than $35,000 per unit may be spent annu-
ally for the maintenance and repair of any general or flag 
officer quarters without 30 days prior notification, or 14 
days for a notification provided in an electronic medium 
pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States 
Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
of Congress, except that an after-the-fact notification shall 
be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to costs 
associated with environmental remediation that could not 
be reasonably anticipated at the time of the budget submis-
sion: Provided further, That the Under Secretary of Defense 
(Comptroller) is to report annually to the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress all operation 
and maintenance expenditures for each individual general 
or flag officer quarters for the prior fiscal year.
† HR 3944 EAS 
SEC. 120. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Im-
provement Account established by subsection (h) of section 
2814 of title 10, United States Code, are appropriated and 
shall be available until expended for the purposes specified 
in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until transferred pur-
suant to subsection (i)(3) of such section. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 121. During the 5-year period after appropria-
tions available in this Act to the Department of Defense 
for military construction and family housing operation and 
maintenance and construction have expired for obligation, 
upon a determination that such appropriations will not be 
necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making 
authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obliga-
tions incurred during the period of availability of such ap-
propriations, unobligated balances of such appropriations 
may be transferred into the appropriation ‘‘Foreign Cur-
rency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense’’, to be merged 
with and to be available for the same time period and for 
the same purposes as the appropriation to which trans-
ferred. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 122. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made 
available in an account funded under the headings in this 
title may be transferred among projects and activities with-
† HR 3944 EAS 
in the account in accordance with the reprogramming 
guidelines for military construction and family housing 
construction contained in Department of Defense Financial 
Management Regulation 7000.14–R, Volume 3, Chapter 7, 
of April 2021, as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 123. None of the funds made available in this 
title may be obligated or expended for planning and design 
and construction of projects at Arlington National Ceme-
tery. 
SEC. 124. For an additional amount for the accounts 
and in the amounts specified, to remain available until 
September 30, 2030: 
‘‘Military Construction, Army’’, $45,000,000; 
‘‘Military Construction, Army National Guard’’, 
$15,500,000; 
‘‘Military Construction, Air National Guard’’, 
$11,000,000; and 
‘‘Military 
Construction, 
Army 
Reserve’’, 
$15,000,000: 
Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry 
out construction and cost to complete projects identified in 
the respective military department’s unfunded priority list 
for fiscal year 2026 submitted to Congress: Provided fur-
ther, That such projects are subject to authorization prior
† HR 3944 EAS 
to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out con-
struction: Provided further, That not later than 60 days 
after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the military 
department concerned, or their designee, shall submit to the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
an expenditure plan for funds provided under this section. 
SEC. 125. All amounts appropriated to the ‘‘Depart-
ment of Defense—Military Construction, Army’’, ‘‘Depart-
ment of Defense—Military Construction, Navy and Marine 
Corps’’, ‘‘Department of Defense—Military Construction, 
Air Force’’, and ‘‘Department of Defense—Military Con-
struction, Defense-Wide’’ accounts pursuant to the author-
ization of appropriations in a National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act specified for fiscal year 2026 in the funding table 
in section 4601 of that Act shall be immediately available 
and allotted to contract for the full scope of authorized 
projects. 
SEC. 126. Notwithstanding section 116 of this Act, 
funds made available in this Act or any available unobli-
gated balances from prior appropriations Acts may be obli-
gated before October 1, 2027 for fiscal year 2017, 2018, 
2019, and 2020 military construction projects for which 
project authorization has not lapsed or for which authoriza-
tion is extended for fiscal year 2026 by a National Defense 
Authorization Act: Provided, That no amounts may be obli-
† HR 3944 EAS 
gated pursuant to this section from amounts that were des-
ignated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pur-
suant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Bal-
anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 
SEC. 127. For the purposes of this Act, the term ‘‘con-
gressional defense committees’’ means the Committees on 
Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate, the Subcommittee on Military Construction and 
Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate, and the Subcommittee on Military Construction 
and Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 128. For an additional amount for ‘‘Military 
Construction, Navy and Marine Corps’’, $76,000,000, to re-
main available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That 
such funds may only be obligated to carry out construction 
projects specified in a National Defense Authorization Act 
for fiscal year 2026 in the funding table in section 4601 
of that Act: Provided further, That not later than 30 days 
after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, or 
their designee, shall submit to the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure plan 
for funds provided under this section. 
SEC. 129. None of the funds made available by this 
Act may be used to carry out the closure or realignment
† HR 3944 EAS 
of the United States Naval Station, Guanta´namo Bay, 
Cuba. 
SEC. 130. (a)(1) Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Defense 
Health Agency shall submit to the Committee on Appro-
priations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives a report detailing the 
current and projected capacity, patient load, staffing re-
quirements, and outstanding infrastructure needs at the 
General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital in Fort 
Leonard Wood, Missouri. 
(2) The report required by paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) assess the role of the hospital specified in 
such paragraph in supporting medical readiness and 
emergency care for active duty members of the Armed 
Forces, dependents of such members, and retirees; 
(B) evaluate potential impacts to access and 
quality of care, including in the surrounding commu-
nity, if the hospital were to be realigned, downgraded, 
or have its scope of services reduced; and 
(C) assess how the hospital supports the func-
tions and mission of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 
including training activities and programs. 
(b)(1) Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall sub-
† HR 3944 EAS 
mit to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report detailing the current condition of mili-
tary family housing at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in-
cluding ongoing or planned renovation and upgrade 
projects, timelines for completion, and any challenges affect-
ing such improvements. 
(2) The report required by paragraph (1) shall in-
clude— 
(A) the total estimated cost of conducting all nec-
essary renovation and replacement activities for defi-
cient family housing units, the number of units in 
need of replacement, and a detailed plan for carrying 
out those activities; and 
(B) an assessment of the impact of housing con-
ditions on quality of life and readiness of members of 
the Armed Forces and their dependents; 
(C) recommendations for addressing any identi-
fied shortcomings; and 
(D) the findings from consultations with mili-
tary families who live in housing units at Fort Leon-
ard Wood.
† HR 3944 EAS 
TITLE II 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 
COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
For the payment of compensation benefits to or on be-
half of veterans and a pilot program for disability examina-
tions as authorized by section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 18, 
51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code; pension 
benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by chapters 
15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code; and 
burial benefits, the Reinstated Entitlement Program for 
Survivors, emergency and other officers’ retirement pay, ad-
justed-service credits and certificates, payment of premiums 
due on commercial life insurance policies guaranteed under 
the provisions of title IV of the Servicemembers Civil Relief 
Act (50 U.S.C. App. 541 et seq.) and for other benefits as 
authorized by sections 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, and 
chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States 
Code, $241,947,603,000, which shall become available on 
October 1, 2026, to remain available until expended: Pro-
vided, That not to exceed $29,454,647 of the amount made 
available for fiscal year 2027 under this heading shall be 
reimbursed to ‘‘General Operating Expenses, Veterans Ben-
efits Administration’’, and ‘‘Information Technology Sys-
† HR 3944 EAS 
tems’’ for necessary expenses in implementing the provi-
sions of chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United States 
Code, the funding source for which is specifically provided 
as the ‘‘Compensation and Pensions’’ appropriation: Pro-
vided further, That such sums as may be earned on an ac-
tual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to ‘‘Med-
ical Care Collections Fund’’ to augment the funding of indi-
vidual medical facilities for nursing home care provided to 
pensioners as authorized. 
READJUSTMENT BENEFITS 
For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation 
benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by chapters 
21, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of 
title 38, United States Code, $20,057,841,000, which shall 
become available on October 1, 2026, to remain available 
until expended: Provided, That expenses for rehabilitation 
program services and assistance which the Secretary is au-
thorized to provide under subsection (a) of section 3104 of 
title 38, United States Code, other than under paragraphs 
(1), (2), (5), and (11) of that subsection, shall be charged 
to this account. 
VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES 
For military and naval insurance, national service life 
insurance, servicemen’s indemnities, service-disabled vet-
erans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as
† HR 3944 EAS 
authorized by chapters 19 and 21 of title 38, United States 
Code, $97,893,000, which shall become available on October 
1, 2026, to remain available until expended. 
VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND 
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized 
by subchapters I through III of chapter 37 of title 38, 
United States Code: Provided, That such costs, including 
the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in sec-
tion 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided 
further, That, during fiscal year 2026, within the resources 
available, not to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for 
direct loans are authorized for specially adapted housing 
loans. 
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out 
the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $266,736,842. 
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT 
For the cost of direct loans, $45,428, as authorized by 
chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code: Provided, That 
such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall 
be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974: Provided further, That funds made available 
under this heading are available to subsidize gross obliga-
tions for the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed 
$1,394,442.
† HR 3944 EAS 
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to 
carry out the direct loan program, $507,254, which may 
be paid to the appropriation for ‘‘General Operating Ex-
penses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’. 
NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM 
ACCOUNT 
For the cost of direct loans, $6,865,235, as authorized 
by subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States 
Code: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modi-
fying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That 
funds made available under this heading are available to 
subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of di-
rect loans not to exceed $75,000,000. 
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out 
the direct loan program authorized by subchapter V of chap-
ter 37 of title 38, United States Code, $5,845,241. 
GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS 
ADMINISTRATION 
For necessary operating expenses of the Veterans Bene-
fits Administration, not otherwise provided for, including 
hire of passenger motor vehicles, reimbursement of the Gen-
eral Services Administration for security guard services, 
and reimbursement of the Department of Defense for the 
cost of overseas employee mail, $3,879,000,000: Provided,
† HR 3944 EAS 
That expenses for services and assistance authorized under 
paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) of section 3104(a) of title 
38, United States Code, that the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs determines are necessary to enable entitled veterans: 
(1) to the maximum extent feasible, to become employable 
and to obtain and maintain suitable employment; or (2) 
to achieve maximum independence in daily living, shall be 
charged to this account: Provided further, That, of the funds 
made available under this heading, not to exceed 10 percent 
shall remain available until September 30, 2027. 
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 
MEDICAL SERVICES 
For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized 
by law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to 
beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and vet-
erans described in section 1705(a) of title 38, United States 
Code, including care and treatment in facilities not under 
the jurisdiction of the Department, and including medical 
supplies and equipment, bioengineering services, food serv-
ices, and salaries and expenses of healthcare employees 
hired under title 38, United States Code, assistance and 
support services for caregivers as authorized by section 
1720G of title 38, United States Code, loan repayments au-
thorized by section 604 of the Caregivers and Veterans Om-
nibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–163;
† HR 3944 EAS 
124 Stat. 1174; 38 U.S.C. 7681 note), monthly assistance 
allowances authorized by section 322(d) of title 38, United 
States Code, grants authorized by section 521A of title 38, 
United States Code, and administrative expenses necessary 
to carry out sections 322(d) and 521A of title 38, United 
States Code, and hospital care and medical services author-
ized by section 1787 of title 38, United States Code; 
$59,858,000,000, plus reimbursements, which shall become 
available on October 1, 2026, and shall remain available 
until September 30, 2027: Provided, That, of the amount 
made available on October 1, 2026, under this heading, 
$2,000,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 
2028: Provided further, That of the $75,039,000,000 to be-
come available on October 1, 2025, previously appropriated 
under this heading in the Full-Year Continuing Appropria-
tions Act, 2025 (division A of Public Law 119–4), 
$15,889,000,000 is hereby rescinded: Provided further, 
That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a priority for the 
provision of medical treatment for veterans who have serv-
ice-connected disabilities, lower income, or have special 
needs: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall give 
priority funding for the provision of basic medical benefits 
to veterans in enrollment priority groups 1 through 6: Pro-
† HR 3944 EAS 
vided further, That, notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may authorize the 
dispensing of prescription drugs from Veterans Health Ad-
ministration facilities to enrolled veterans with privately 
written prescriptions based on requirements established by 
the Secretary: Provided further, That the implementation 
of the program described in the previous proviso shall incur 
no additional cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs: 
Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall ensure that sufficient amounts appropriated under 
this heading for medical supplies and equipment are avail-
able for the acquisition of prosthetics designed specifically 
for female veterans: Provided further, That nothing in sec-
tion 2044(e) of title 38, United States Code, may be con-
strued as limiting amounts that may be made available 
under this heading for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 in this 
or prior Acts. 
MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE 
For necessary expenses for furnishing health care to 
individuals pursuant to chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, at non-Department facilities, $38,700,000,000, 
plus reimbursements, which shall become available on Octo-
ber 1, 2026, and shall remain available until September 
30, 2027: Provided, That, of the amount made available on
† HR 3944 EAS 
October 1, 2026, under this heading, $2,000,000,000 shall 
remain available until September 30, 2028. 
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE 
For necessary expenses in the administration of the 
medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, 
supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; ad-
ministrative expenses in support of capital policy activities; 
and administrative and legal expenses of the Department 
for collecting and recovering amounts owed the Department 
as authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, United States 
Code, and the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 
U.S.C. 2651 et seq.), $12,000,000,000, plus reimbursements, 
which shall become available on October 1, 2026, and shall 
remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That, 
of the amount made available on October 1, 2026, under 
this heading, $350,000,000 shall remain available until 
September 30, 2028: Provided further, That, of the 
$12,700,000,000 to become available on October 1, 2025, 
previously appropriated under this heading in the Full- 
Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 (division A of 
Public Law 119–4), $610,000,000 is hereby rescinded. 
MEDICAL FACILITIES 
For necessary expenses for the maintenance and oper-
ation of hospitals, nursing homes, domiciliary facilities, 
and other necessary facilities of the Veterans Health Admin-
† HR 3944 EAS 
istration; for administrative expenses in support of plan-
ning, design, project management, real property acquisition 
and disposition, construction, and renovation of any facil-
ity under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department; 
for oversight, engineering, and architectural activities not 
charged to project costs; for repairing, altering, improving, 
or providing facilities in the several hospitals and homes 
under the jurisdiction of the Department, not otherwise pro-
vided for, either by contract or by the hire of temporary 
employees and purchase of materials; for leases of facilities; 
and for laundry services; $3,000,000, which shall be in ad-
dition to funds previously appropriated under this heading 
that become available on October 1, 2025; and, in addition, 
$11,700,000,000, plus reimbursements, which shall become 
available on October 1, 2026, and shall remain available 
until September 30, 2027: Provided, That, of the amount 
made available on October 1, 2026, under this heading, 
$500,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 
2028. 
MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH 
For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of 
medical and prosthetic research and development as author-
ized by chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, 
$943,000,000, plus reimbursements, shall remain available 
until September 30, 2027: Provided, That the Secretary of
† HR 3944 EAS 
Veterans Affairs shall ensure that sufficient amounts appro-
priated under this heading are available for prosthetic re-
search specifically for female veterans, and for toxic expo-
sure research. 
NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION 
For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Ad-
ministration for operations and maintenance, not otherwise 
provided for, including uniforms or allowances therefor; 
cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase of one 
passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial operations; 
hire of passenger motor vehicles; and repair, alteration or 
improvement of facilities under the jurisdiction of the Na-
tional Cemetery Administration, $497,000,000, of which 
not to exceed 10 percent shall remain available until Sep-
tember 30, 2027. 
DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION 
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
For necessary operating expenses of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including ad-
ministrative expenses in support of Department-wide cap-
ital planning, management and policy activities, uniforms, 
or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for official re-
ception and representation expenses; hire of passenger 
motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services
† HR 3944 EAS 
Administration for security guard services, $440,000,000, 
which shall be for the offices and in the amounts specified 
under this heading in the report accompanying this Act, 
of which not to exceed 10 percent for each such office shall 
remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That 
funds provided under this heading may be transferred to 
‘‘General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Adminis-
tration’’. 
BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS 
For necessary operating expenses of the Board of Vet-
erans Appeals, $277,000,000, of which not to exceed 10 per-
cent shall remain available until September 30, 2027. 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
For necessary expenses for information technology sys-
tems and telecommunications support, including develop-
mental information systems and operational information 
systems; for pay and associated costs; and for the capital 
asset acquisition of information technology systems, includ-
ing management and related contractual costs of said ac-
quisitions, including contractual costs associated with oper-
ations authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States 
Code, $5,908,000,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, That 
$1,418,416,000 shall be for pay and associated costs, of 
which not to exceed 3 percent shall remain available until
† HR 3944 EAS 
September 30, 2027: Provided further, That $4,488,829,000 
shall be for operations and maintenance, of which not to 
exceed 5 percent shall remain available until September 30, 
2027, and of which $118,900,000 shall remain available 
until September 30, 2030, for the purpose of facility activa-
tions related to projects funded by the ‘‘Construction, Major 
Projects’’, ‘‘Construction, Minor Projects’’, ‘‘Medical Facili-
ties’’, ‘‘National Cemetery Administration’’, ‘‘General Oper-
ating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’, and 
‘‘General Administration’’ accounts: Provided further, That 
$755,000 shall be for information technology systems devel-
opment, and shall remain available until September 30, 
2027: Provided further, That amounts made available for 
salaries and expenses, operations and maintenance, and in-
formation technology systems development may be trans-
ferred among the three subaccounts after the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs requests from the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make 
the transfer and an approval is issued: Provided further, 
That amounts made available for the ‘‘Information Tech-
nology Systems’’ account for development may be trans-
ferred among projects or to newly defined projects: Provided 
further, That no project may be increased or decreased by 
more than $3,000,000 of cost prior to submitting a request 
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con-
† HR 3944 EAS 
gress to make the transfer and an approval is issued, or 
absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed. 
VETERANS ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD 
For activities related to implementation, preparation, 
development, interface, management, rollout, and mainte-
nance of a Veterans Electronic Health Record system, in-
cluding contractual costs associated with operations author-
ized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, and sala-
ries and expenses of employees hired under titles 5 and 38, 
United States Code, $3,488,000,000, to remain available 
until September 30, 2028: Provided, That the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress quarterly reports de-
tailing obligations, expenditures, and deployment imple-
mentation by facility, including any changes from the de-
ployment plan or schedule: Provided further, That the funds 
provided in this account shall only be available to the Office 
of the Deputy Secretary, to be administered by that Office: 
Provided further, That 25 percent of the funds made avail-
able under this heading shall not be available until July 
1, 2026, and are contingent upon the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs providing to the Committees on Appropriations of 
both Houses of Congress a plan by June 1, 2026, containing 
the following:
† HR 3944 EAS 
(1) an updated life-cycle cost estimate for the 
EHRM program based on the Department’s accelera-
tion of deployments announced in March 2025; 
(2) an updated facility-by-facility deployment 
schedule for all facilities to receive the EHRM pro-
gram; 
(3) a certification that all VA facilities using the 
new EHR on or before April 1, 2024, have exceeded 
or met certain health care performance baseline 
metrics indicating they have returned to their service 
delivery levels in place prior to the deployment of the 
new EHR; and 
(4) a description of the projected Federal VA 
staffing levels, contract support, and other relevant 
activities required, and the resources required to fund 
those activities, to meet the deployment goal as out-
lined in (2), including target Federal and contracted 
staffing levels at VA Central Office and, each local VA 
medical center with a slated deployment in 2026 and 
2027, as well as contract support to provide technical 
and other change management support to carry out 
the deployments. 
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral, to include information technology, in carrying out the
† HR 3944 EAS 
provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
401 et seq.), $296,000,000, of which not to exceed 10 percent 
shall remain available until September 30, 2027. 
CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS 
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 
any of the facilities, including parking projects, under the 
jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 316, 
2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, 
not otherwise provided for, including planning, architec-
tural and engineering services, construction management 
services, maintenance or guarantee period services costs as-
sociated with equipment guarantees provided under the 
project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm 
drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, 
where the estimated cost of a project is more than the 
amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United 
States Code, or where funds for a project were made avail-
able 
in 
a 
previous 
major 
project 
appropriation, 
$1,394,000,000, of which $621,615,000 shall remain avail-
able until September 30, 2030, and of which $772,385,000 
shall remain available until expended: Provided, That ex-
cept for advance planning activities, including needs assess-
ments which may or may not lead to capital investments, 
and other capital asset management related activities, in-
† HR 3944 EAS 
cluding portfolio development and management activities, 
and planning, cost estimating, and design for major med-
ical facility projects and major medical facility leases and 
investment strategy studies funded through the advance 
planning fund and the planning and design activities fund-
ed through the design fund, staffing expenses, and funds 
provided for the purchase, security, and maintenance of 
land for the National Cemetery Administration and the 
Veterans Health Administration through the land acquisi-
tion line item, none of the funds made available under this 
heading shall be used for any project that has not been noti-
fied to Congress through the budgetary process or that has 
not been approved by the Congress through statute, joint 
resolution, or in the explanatory statement accompanying 
such Act and presented to the President at the time of en-
rollment: Provided further, That funds provided for the Vet-
erans Health Administration through the land acquisition 
line item shall be only for projects included on the five year 
development plan notified to Congress through the budg-
etary process: Provided further, That such sums as may be 
necessary shall be available to reimburse the ‘‘General Ad-
ministration’’ account for payment of salaries and expenses 
of all Office of Construction and Facilities Management em-
ployees to support the full range of capital infrastructure 
services provided, including minor construction and leasing
† HR 3944 EAS 
services: Provided further, That funds made available under 
this heading for fiscal year 2026, for each approved project 
shall be obligated: (1) by the awarding of a construction 
documents contract by September 30, 2026; and (2) by the 
awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2027: 
Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall promptly submit to the Committees on Appropriations 
of both Houses of Congress a written report on any ap-
proved major construction project for which obligations are 
not incurred within the time limitations established above: 
Provided further, That notwithstanding the requirements of 
section 8104(a) of title 38, United States Code, amounts 
made available under this heading for seismic program 
management activities shall be available for the completion 
of both new and existing seismic projects of the Department. 
CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS 
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 
any of the facilities, including parking projects, under the 
jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, including planning and assessments of needs which 
may lead to capital investments, architectural and engi-
neering services, maintenance or guarantee period services 
costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under 
the project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and 
storm drainage system construction costs, and site acquisi-
† HR 3944 EAS 
tion, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 316, 
2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, 
not otherwise provided for, where the estimated cost of a 
project is equal to or less than the amount set forth in sec-
tion 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United States Code, 
$709,000,000, of which $467,940,000 shall remain available 
until September 30, 2030, and of which $241,060,000 shall 
remain available until expended, along with unobligated 
balances of previous ‘‘Construction, Minor Projects’’ appro-
priations which are hereby made available for any project 
where the estimated cost is equal to or less than the amount 
set forth in such section: Provided, That funds made avail-
able under this heading shall be for: (1) repairs to any of 
the nonmedical facilities under the jurisdiction or for the 
use of the Department which are necessary because of loss 
or damage caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; 
and (2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to min-
imize further loss by such causes. 
GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE 
FACILITIES 
For grants to assist States to acquire or construct 
State nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to re-
model, modify, or alter existing hospital, nursing home, and 
domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing care 
to veterans as authorized by sections 8131 through 8137 of
† HR 3944 EAS 
title 38, United States Code, $171,000,000, to remain avail-
able until expended. 
GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES 
For grants to assist States and tribal organizations 
in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans ceme-
teries as authorized by section 2408 of title 38, United 
States Code, $60,000,000, to remain available until ex-
pended. 
COST OF WAR TOXIC EXPOSURES FUND 
For investment in the delivery of veterans’ health care 
associated with exposure to environmental hazards, the ex-
penses incident to the delivery of veterans’ health care and 
benefits associated with exposure to environmental hazards, 
and medical and other research relating to exposure to envi-
ronmental hazards, as authorized by section 324 of title 38, 
United States Code, and in addition to the amounts other-
wise available for such purposes in the appropriations pro-
vided in this or prior Acts, including the Fiscal Responsi-
bility Act of 2023 (Public Law 118–5), $52,676,000,000, 
to remain available until expended. 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2026 for 
‘‘Compensation and Pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment Benefits’’, 
and ‘‘Veterans Insurance and Indemnities’’ may be trans-
† HR 3944 EAS 
requests from the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and 
an approval is issued: Provided further, That any transfers 
to or from the ‘‘Medical Facilities’’ account may take place 
only after the Secretary requests from the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to 
make the transfer and an approval is issued. 
SEC. 203. Appropriations available in this title for sal-
aries and expenses shall be available for services authorized 
by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; hire of pas-
senger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or land or both; 
and uniforms or allowances therefore, as authorized by sec-
tions 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 204. No appropriations in this title (except the 
appropriations for ‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ and 
‘‘Construction, Minor Projects’’) shall be available for the 
purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any 
new hospital or home. 
SEC. 205. No appropriations in this title shall be 
available for hospitalization or examination of any persons 
(except beneficiaries entitled to such hospitalization or ex-
amination under the laws providing such benefits to vet-
erans, and persons receiving such treatment under sections 
7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States Code, or the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
† HR 3944 EAS 
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reimbursement 
of the cost of such hospitalization or examination is made 
to the ‘‘Medical Services’’ account at such rates as may be 
fixed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 206. Appropriations available in this title for 
‘‘Compensation and Pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment Benefits’’, 
and ‘‘Veterans Insurance and Indemnities’’ shall be avail-
able for payment of prior year accrued obligations required 
to be recorded by law against the corresponding prior year 
accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 2025. 
SEC. 207. Appropriations available in this title shall 
be available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 
3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, 
except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts 
they shall be payable only from ‘‘Compensation and Pen-
sions’’. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
during fiscal year 2026, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund under 
section 1920 of title 38, United States Code, the Veterans’ 
Special Life Insurance Fund under section 1923 of title 38, 
United States Code, and the United States Government Life 
Insurance Fund under section 1955 of title 38, United
† HR 3944 EAS 
States Code, reimburse the ‘‘General Operating Expenses, 
Veterans Benefits Administration’’ and ‘‘Information Tech-
nology Systems’’ accounts for the cost of administration of 
the insurance programs financed through those accounts: 
Provided, That reimbursement shall be made only from the 
surplus earnings accumulated in such an insurance pro-
gram during fiscal year 2026 that are available for divi-
dends in that program after claims have been paid and ac-
tuarially determined reserves have been set aside: Provided 
further, That if the cost of administration of such an insur-
ance program exceeds the amount of surplus earnings accu-
mulated in that program, reimbursement shall be made 
only to the extent of such surplus earnings: Provided fur-
ther, That the Secretary shall determine the cost of adminis-
tration for fiscal year 2026 which is properly allocable to 
the provision of each such insurance program and to the 
provision of any total disability income insurance included 
in that insurance program. 
SEC. 209. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease 
proceeds to reimburse an account for expenses incurred by 
that account during a prior fiscal year for providing en-
hanced-use lease services shall be available until expended. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 210. Funds available in this title or funds for 
salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be
† HR 3944 EAS 
available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management, 
the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adju-
dication, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution function 
within the Office of Human Resources and Administration 
for all services provided at rates which will recover actual 
costs but not to exceed $134,342,000 for the Office of Resolu-
tion Management, $7,607,000 for the Office of Employment 
Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, and $7,586,000 
for the Alternative Dispute Resolution function within the 
Office of Human Resources and Administration: Provided, 
That payments may be made in advance for services to be 
furnished based on estimated costs: Provided further, That 
amounts received shall be credited to the ‘‘General Adminis-
tration’’ and ‘‘Information Technology Systems’’ accounts 
for use by the office that provided the service. 
SEC. 211. No funds of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs shall be available for hospital care, nursing home care, 
or medical services provided to any person under chapter 
17 of title 38, United States Code, for a non-service-con-
nected disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of such 
title, unless that person has disclosed to the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may require, 
current, accurate third-party reimbursement information 
for purposes of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That 
the Secretary may recover, in the same manner as any other
† HR 3944 EAS 
debt due the United States, the reasonable charges for such 
care or services from any person who does not make such 
disclosure as required: Provided further, That any amounts 
so recovered for care or services provided in a prior fiscal 
year may be obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal 
year in which amounts are received. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
proceeds or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing ac-
tivities (including disposal) may be deposited into the 
‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, Minor 
Projects’’ accounts and be used for construction (including 
site acquisition and disposition), alterations, and improve-
ments of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for 
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums 
as realized are in addition to the amount provided for in 
‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, Minor 
Projects’’. 
SEC. 213. Amounts made available under ‘‘Medical 
Services’’ are available— 
(1) for furnishing recreational facilities, sup-
plies, and equipment; and 
(2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and 
other expenses incidental to funerals and burials for 
beneficiaries receiving care in the Department.
† HR 3944 EAS 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 214. Such sums as may be deposited into the 
Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A 
of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to the 
‘‘Medical Services’’ and ‘‘Medical Community Care’’ ac-
counts to remain available until expended for the purposes 
of these accounts. 
SEC. 215. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter 
into agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers in 
the State of Alaska and Indian Tribes and Tribal organiza-
tions which are party to the Alaska Native Health Compact 
with the Indian Health Service, to provide healthcare, in-
cluding behavioral health and dental care, to veterans in 
rural Alaska. The Secretary shall require participating vet-
erans and facilities to comply with all appropriate rules 
and regulations, as established by the Secretary. The term 
‘‘rural Alaska’’ shall mean those lands which are not within 
the boundaries of the municipality of Anchorage or the 
Fairbanks North Star Borough. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 216. Such sums as may be deposited into the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant 
to section 8118 of title 38, United States Code, may be 
transferred to the ‘‘Construction, Major Projects’’ and ‘‘Con-
† HR 3944 EAS 
struction, Minor Projects’’ accounts, to remain available 
until expended for the purposes of these accounts. 
SEC. 217. 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 Con-
gress a report on the financial status of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for the preceding quarter: Provided, 
That, at a minimum, the report shall include the direction 
contained in the paragraph entitled ‘‘Quarterly reporting’’, 
under the heading ‘‘General Administration’’ in the joint 
explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114–223. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 218. Amounts made available under the ‘‘Medical 
Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support 
and Compliance’’, ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, ‘‘General Oper-
ating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’, ‘‘Board 
of Veterans Appeals’’, ‘‘General Administration’’, and ‘‘Na-
tional Cemetery Administration’’ accounts for fiscal year 
2026 may be transferred to or from the ‘‘Information Tech-
nology Systems’’ account: Provided, That such transfers 
may not result in a more than 10 percent aggregate increase 
in the total amount made available by this Act for the ‘‘In-
formation Technology Systems’’ account: Provided further, 
That, before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appro-
† HR 3944 EAS 
priations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make 
the transfer and an approval is issued. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 219. Of the amounts appropriated to the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026 for ‘‘Medical 
Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support 
and Compliance’’, ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, ‘‘Construction, 
Minor Projects’’, and ‘‘Information Technology Systems’’, 
up to $654,954,000, plus reimbursements, may be trans-
ferred to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, es-
tablished by section 1704 of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 
Stat. 2571) and may be used for operation of the facilities 
designated as combined Federal medical facilities as de-
scribed by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 
110–417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That additional funds 
may be transferred from accounts designated in this section 
to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon 
written notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con-
gress: Provided further, That section 220 of title II of divi-
† HR 3944 EAS 
sion A of Public Law 118–42, as continued by section 
1101(a)(10) of division A of Public Law 119–4, is repealed. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 220. Of the amounts appropriated to the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs which become available on October 
1, 2026, for ‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community 
Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’, and ‘‘Medical 
Facilities’’, up to $739,918,000, plus reimbursements, may 
be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense—Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration 
Fund, established by section 1704 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111– 
84; 123 Stat. 2571) and may be used for operation of the 
facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities 
as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public 
Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That additional 
funds may be transferred from accounts designated in this 
section to the Joint Department of Defense—Department 
of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund 
upon written notification by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
of Congress.
† HR 3944 EAS 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 221. Such sums as may be deposited into the 
Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A 
of title 38, United States Code, for healthcare provided at 
facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities 
as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public 
Law 110–417; 122 Stat. 4500) shall also be available: (1) 
for transfer to the Joint Department of Defense—Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration 
Fund, established by section 1704 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111– 
84; 123 Stat. 2571); and (2) for operations of the facilities 
designated as combined Federal medical facilities as de-
scribed by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 
110–417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That, notwithstanding 
section 1704(b)(3) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 
2573), amounts transferred to the Joint Department of De-
fense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility 
Demonstration Fund shall remain available until expended. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 222. Of the amounts available in this title for 
‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical
† HR 3944 EAS 
Support and Compliance’’, and ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, a 
minimum of $15,000,000 shall be transferred to the DOD– 
VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by 
section 8111(d) of title 38, United States Code, to remain 
available until expended, for any purpose authorized by sec-
tion 8111 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 223. None of the funds available to the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, in this or any other Act, may 
be used to replace the current system by which the Veterans 
Integrated Service Networks select and contract for diabetes 
monitoring supplies and equipment. 
SEC. 224. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall no-
tify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
Congress of all bid savings in a major construction project 
that total at least $5,000,000, or 5 percent of the pro-
grammed amount of the project, whichever is less: Provided, 
That such notification shall occur within 14 days of a con-
tract identifying the programmed amount: Provided fur-
ther, That the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Ap-
propriations of both Houses of Congress 14 days prior to 
the obligation of such bid savings and shall describe the an-
ticipated use of such savings. 
SEC. 225. None of the funds made available for ‘‘Con-
struction, Major Projects’’ may be used for a project in ex-
cess of the scope specified for that project in the original
† HR 3944 EAS 
justification data provided to the Congress as part of the 
request for appropriations unless the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs receives approval from the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress. 
SEC. 226. 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 Con-
gress a quarterly report containing performance measures 
and data from each Veterans Benefits Administration Re-
gional Office: Provided, That, at a minimum, the report 
shall include the direction contained in the section entitled 
‘‘Disability claims backlog’’, under the heading ‘‘General 
Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration’’ in 
the joint explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 
114–223: Provided further, That the report shall also in-
clude information on the number of appeals pending at the 
Veterans Benefits Administration as well as the Board of 
Veterans Appeals on a quarterly basis. 
SEC. 227. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall pro-
vide written notification to the Committees on Appropria-
tions of both Houses of Congress 15 days prior to organiza-
tional changes which result in the transfer of 25 or more 
full-time equivalents from one organizational unit of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to another.
† HR 3944 EAS 
SEC. 228. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall pro-
vide on a quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropria-
tions of both Houses of Congress notification of any single 
national outreach and awareness marketing campaign in 
which obligations exceed $1,000,000. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 229. Amounts made available for the Department 
of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026, under the ‘‘Board 
of Veterans Appeals’’ and the ‘‘General Operating Expenses, 
Veterans Benefits Administration’’ accounts may be trans-
ferred between such accounts: Provided, That before a trans-
fer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
request from the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and 
receive approval of that request. 
SEC. 230. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not 
reprogram funds among major construction projects or pro-
grams if such instance of reprogramming will exceed a cu-
mulative $7,000,000, unless such reprogramming is ap-
proved by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
of Congress. 
SEC. 231. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
ensure that the toll-free suicide hotline under section 
1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code—
† HR 3944 EAS 
(1) provides to individuals who contact the hot-
line immediate assistance from a trained professional; 
and 
(2) adheres to all requirements of the American 
Association of Suicidology. 
(b)(1) None of the funds made available by this Act 
may be used to enforce or otherwise carry out any Executive 
action that prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 
appointing an individual to occupy a vacant civil service 
position, or establishing a new civil service position, at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to such a posi-
tion relating to the hotline specified in subsection (a). 
(2) In this subsection— 
(A) the term ‘‘civil service’’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 2101(1) of title 5, United 
States Code; and 
(B) the term ‘‘Executive action’’ includes— 
(i) any Executive order, Presidential memo-
randum, or other action by the President; and 
(ii) any agency policy, order, or other direc-
tive. 
(c)(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct 
a study on the effectiveness of the hotline specified in sub-
section (a) during the 5-year period beginning on January
† HR 3944 EAS 
1, 2016, based on an analysis of national suicide data and 
data collected from such hotline. 
(2) At a minimum, the study required by paragraph 
(1) shall— 
(A) determine the number of veterans who con-
tact the hotline specified in subsection (a) and who 
receive follow up services from the hotline or mental 
health services from the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs thereafter; 
(B) determine the number of veterans who con-
tact the hotline who are not referred to, or do not con-
tinue receiving, mental health care who commit sui-
cide; and 
(C) determine the number of veterans described 
in subparagraph (A) who commit or attempt suicide. 
SEC. 232. Effective during the period beginning on Oc-
tober 1, 2018, and ending on January 1, 2027, none of the 
funds made available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
by this or any other Act may be obligated or expended in 
contravention of the ‘‘Veterans Health Administration Clin-
ical Preventive Services Guidance Statement on the Vet-
erans Health Administration’s Screening for Breast Cancer 
Guidance’’ published on May 10, 2017, as issued by the Vet-
erans Health Administration National Center for Health 
Promotion and Disease Prevention.
† HR 3944 EAS 
SEC. 233. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available 
to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the ‘‘Medical 
Services’’ account may be used to provide— 
(1) fertility counseling and treatment using as-
sisted reproductive technology to a covered veteran or 
the spouse of a covered veteran; or 
(2) adoption reimbursement to a covered veteran. 
(b) In this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘service-connected’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
(2) The term ‘‘covered veteran’’ means a veteran, 
as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code, who has a service-connected dis-
ability that results in the inability of the veteran to 
procreate without the use of fertility treatment. 
(3) The term ‘‘assisted reproductive technology’’ 
means benefits relating to reproductive assistance pro-
vided to a member of the Armed Forces who incurs 
a serious injury or illness on active duty pursuant to 
section 1074(c)(4)(A) of title 10, United States Code, 
as described in the memorandum on the subject of 
‘‘Policy for Assisted Reproductive Services for the 
Benefit of Seriously or Severely Ill/Injured (Category
† HR 3944 EAS 
II or III) Active Duty Service Members’’ issued by the 
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on 
April 3, 2012, and the guidance issued to implement 
such policy, including any limitations on the amount 
of such benefits available to such a member except 
that— 
(A) the time periods regarding embryo 
cryopreservation and storage set forth in part 
III(G) and in part IV(H) of such memorandum 
shall not apply; and 
(B) 
such 
term 
includes 
embryo 
cryopreservation and storage without limitation 
on the duration of such cryopreservation and 
storage. 
(4) The term ‘‘adoption reimbursement’’ means 
reimbursement for the adoption-related expenses for 
an adoption that is finalized after the date of the en-
actment of this Act under the same terms as apply 
under the adoption reimbursement program of the De-
partment of Defense, as authorized in Department of 
Defense Instruction 1341.09, including the reimburse-
ment limits and requirements set forth in such in-
struction. 
(c) Amounts made available for the purposes specified 
in subsection (a) of this section are subject to the require-
† HR 3944 EAS 
ments for funds contained in section 508 of division H of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 
115–141). 
SEC. 234. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available by this Act or any other Act for the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs may be used in a manner that 
is inconsistent with: (1) section 842 of the Transportation, 
Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, 
the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appro-
priations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–115; 119 Stat. 2506); 
or (2) section 8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 235. Section 842 of Public Law 109–115 shall 
not apply to conversion of an activity or function of the 
Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Admin-
istration, or National Cemetery Administration to con-
tractor performance by a business concern that is at least 
51 percent owned by one or more Indian Tribes as defined 
in section 5304(e) of title 25, United States Code, or one 
or more Native Hawaiian Organizations as defined in sec-
tion 637(a)(15) of title 15, United States Code. 
SEC. 236. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Sec-
retary of Labor, shall discontinue collecting and using So-
cial Security account numbers to authenticate individuals 
in all information systems of the Department of Veterans
† HR 3944 EAS 
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 A of Public Law 118–42. 
SEC. 237. For funds provided to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 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 transfer
† HR 3944 EAS 
any amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensa-
tion Fund to any other account within the Department 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 au-
thorized by section 205 of Public Law 111–163, notwith-
standing subsection (e) of such section. 
SEC. 240. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available in this title may be used by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement related to 
resolving a dispute or claim with an individual that would 
restrict in any way the individual from speaking to mem-
bers 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 affairs. 
SEC. 241. For funds provided to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, sec-
tion 258 of division A of Public Law 114–223 shall apply. 
SEC. 242. (a) None of the funds appropriated or other-
wise 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
† HR 3944 EAS 
department or agency over which that Inspector General 
has responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978 
(5 U.S.C. 401 et seq.), or to prevent or impede the access 
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, doc-
uments, 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 In-
spector General has responsibilities under the Inspector 
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 401 et seq.). 
(d) Each Inspector General covered by this section 
shall report to the Committee on Appropriations of the Sen-
ate 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.
† HR 3944 EAS 
SEC. 244. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available by this Act to the Veterans Health Adminis-
tration may be used in fiscal year 2026 to convert any pro-
gram which received specific purpose funds in fiscal year 
2025 to a general purpose funded program unless the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs submits written notification of 
any such proposal to the Committees on Appropriations of 
both Houses of Congress at least 30 days prior to any such 
action and an approval is issued by the Committees. 
SEC. 245. For funds provided to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, sec-
tion 248 of division A of Public Law 114–223 shall apply. 
SEC. 246. (a) None of the funds appropriated or other-
wise made available by this Act may be used to conduct 
research commencing on or after the date of enactment of 
this Act, that uses any canine, feline, or non-human pri-
mate unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approves such 
research specifically and in writing pursuant to subsection 
(b). 
(b)(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may approve 
the conduct of research commencing on or after the date 
of enactment of this Act, 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-
† HR 3944 EAS 
human primates and cannot be met using other ani-
mal models, in vitro models, computational models, 
human clinical studies, or other research alternatives; 
(B) such scientific objectives are necessary to ad-
vance research benefiting veterans and are directly re-
lated 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 policy 
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. 
(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 com-
mencement of such research, the Secretary shall submit 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;
† HR 3944 EAS 
(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 research 
could only be met using canines, felines, or non- 
human primates, and methods used to make such de-
termination; 
(5) the frequency and duration of such research; 
and 
(6) the protocols in place to ensure the necessity, 
safety, and efficacy of the research, and animal wel-
fare. 
(d) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and biannually thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to such Committees a report describing— 
(1) any research being conducted by the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs using canines, felines, or 
non-human primates as of the date of the submittal 
of the report; 
(2) the circumstances under which such research 
was conducted using canines, felines, or non-human 
primates;
† HR 3944 EAS 
(3) the justification for using canines, felines, or 
non-human primates to conduct such research; 
(4) the protocols in place to ensure the necessity, 
safety, and efficacy of such research; and 
(5) the development and adoption of alternatives 
to canines, felines, or non-human primate research. 
(e) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Department 
of Veterans Affairs must submit to voluntary U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture inspections of canine, feline, and non- 
human primate research facilities. 
(f) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to such Committees a report describing— 
(1) any violations of the Animal Welfare Act, the 
Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and 
Use of Laboratory Animals, or other Department of 
Veterans Affairs policies related to oversight of ani-
mal research found during that quarter in VA re-
search 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
† HR 3944 EAS 
using canines, felines, or non-human primates by not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
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 employ-
ment equivalent. 
(b) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on the programs of rehabilitation conducted under 
chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, including— 
(1) an assessment of the veteran-to-staff ratio for 
each such program; and 
(2) recommendations for such action as the Sec-
retary 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’’ account 
in this or any other Act for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 
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 Accountability Act, as 
amended (38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
† HR 3944 EAS 
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 ‘‘Med-
ical Community Care’’ account for such fiscal years. 
SEC. 250. Of the amounts made available for the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026, 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’’, ‘‘Vet-
erans Health Administration—Medical Facilities’’, and 
‘‘Cost 
of 
War 
Toxic 
Exposures 
Fund’’, 
accounts, 
$1,429,181,000 shall be made available for gender-specific 
care and programmatic efforts to deliver care for women 
veterans; $697,800,000 shall be made available for suicide 
prevention outreach programs; $3,500,000,000 shall be 
made available for the Caregivers program; $42,000,000 
shall be made available for the National Center for Post- 
Traumatic Stress Disorder; $70,000,000 shall be made 
available for the Neurology Centers of Excellence; 
$342,455,000 shall be made available for rural health care; 
$3,459,121,000 shall be made available for veterans’ home-
lessness programs; $6,356,000,000 shall be made available 
for telehealth for veterans; $709,573,000 shall be made
† HR 3944 EAS 
available for opioid prevention and treatment programs; 
and, $36,879,000 shall be made available for the Intimate 
Partner Violence Assistance Program. 
SEC. 251. Of the unobligated balances available in fis-
cal year 2026 in the ‘‘Recurring Expenses Trans-
formational Fund’’ established in section 243 of division 
J of Public Law 114–113, and in addition to any funds 
otherwise made available for such purposes in this, prior, 
or subsequent fiscal years, $900,000,000 shall be available 
for constructing, altering, extending, and improving med-
ical facilities of the Veterans Health Administration, in-
cluding all supporting activities and required contin-
gencies, during the period of availability of the Fund: Pro-
vided, That prior to obligation of any of the funds provided 
in this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must pro-
vide a plan for the execution of the funds appropriated in 
this section to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress and such Committees issue an approval, 
or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 252. Of the $75,039,000,000 to become available 
on October 1, 2025, previously appropriated under the 
heading ‘‘Veterans Health Administration—Medical Serv-
ices’’ in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 
(division A of Public Law 119–4), $2,030,000,000 shall be
† HR 3944 EAS 
transferred to ‘‘Veterans Health Administration—Medical 
Facilities’’. 
SEC. 253. Not later than 30 days after enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure 
plan for funds made available in this Act and any available 
unobligated balances from prior Acts, including the Fiscal 
Responsibility Act of 2023 (Public Law 118–5), for the Cost 
of War Toxic Exposures Fund: Provided, That the budget 
resource categories supporting the Veterans Health Admin-
istration shall be reported by the subcategories ‘‘Medical 
Services’’, ‘‘Medical Community Care’’, ‘‘Medical Support 
and Compliance’’, and ‘‘Medical and Prosthetic Research’’: 
Provided further, That not later than 30 days after the end 
of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall submit a quarterly 
report on the status of the funds, including, at a minimum, 
an update on obligations by program, project or activity. 
SEC. 254. 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, 
2017 and September 30, 2018 for purposes of carrying out 
an order placed with the Department of Veterans Affairs 
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
† HR 3944 EAS 
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 Affairs 
determines that such amounts need to remain available for 
such liquidation. 
SEC. 255. None of the funds in this or any other Act 
may be used to close Department of Veterans Affairs hos-
pitals, domiciliaries, or clinics, conduct an environmental 
assessment, or to diminish healthcare services at existing 
Veterans Health Administration medical facilities as part 
of a planned realignment of services until the Secretary 
provides to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress a report including an analysis of how 
any such planned realignment of services will impact access 
to care for veterans living in rural or highly rural areas, 
including travel distances and transportation costs to access 
a Department medical facility and availability of local spe-
cialty and primary care. 
SEC. 256. 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 Property and 
Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law 
114–294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note), as amended, to provide ad-
† HR 3944 EAS 
ditional funds or to fund an escalation clause under such 
section of such Act: Provided, That before such unobligated 
balances are obligated pursuant to this section, the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees 
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority 
to obligate such unobligated balances and such Committees 
issue an approval, or absent a response, 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 section 2(a)(2) of Public Law 
114–294, as amended, has exhausted available cost contain-
ment approaches as set forth in the agreement under section 
2(c) of such Public Law. 
SEC. 257. (a) None of the funds appropriated by this 
Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs may be obligated, awarded, 
or expended to procure or purchase covered information 
technology equipment in cases where the manufacturer, bid-
der, or offeror, or any subsidiary or parent entity of the 
manufacturer, bidder, or offeror, of the equipment is an en-
tity, or parent company of an entity listed on any of the 
following: 
(1) the Department of Defense’s Chinese Military 
Company List;
† HR 3944 EAS 
(2) the Department of the Treasury’s Non-SDN 
Chinese Military Industrial Complex Companies List; 
(3) the Department of Commerce’s Denied Per-
sons List, Entity List, or Military End User List, if 
the entity is— 
(A) an agency or instrumentality of the 
People’s Republic of China; 
(B) an entity headquartered in the People’s 
Republic of China; or 
(C) directly or indirectly owned or con-
trolled by an agency, instrumentality, or entity 
described in subparagraph (A) or (B); or 
(4) the Department of Homeland Security’s 
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. 
(b) APPLICABILITY TO THIRD PARTIES.—The prohibi-
tion in subsection (a) also applies in cases in which the 
Secretary has contracted with a third party for the procure-
ment, purchase, or expenditure of funds on any of the equip-
ment and software described in such subsection. 
(c) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘covered information technology equipment’’ shall 
mean the following equipment used in an office environ-
ment: 
computers, 
printers, 
or 
interoperable 
videoconferencing equipment used in or by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs directly. ‘‘Covered information tech-
† HR 3944 EAS 
nology equipment’’ shall not refer to services that use such 
equipment, including cloud services. 
SEC. 258. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available by this Act may be used to pay award or 
incentive fees for contractors whose performance has been 
judged to be below satisfactory, behind schedule, over budget, 
or has failed to meet the basic requirements of a contract, 
unless the Agency determines that any such deviations are 
due to unforeseeable events, government-driven scope 
changes, or are not significant within the overall scope of 
the project and/or program and unless such awards or in-
centive fees are consistent with section 16.401(e)(2) of the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation. 
SEC. 259. The Department is directed to maintain 
staffing levels to facilitate the Department’s own goals, in-
cluding that benefits claims are adjudicated according to 
the 125 day goal, and that healthcare appointments and 
service are provided in the timeframes required by statute 
and regulation. 
SEC. 260. The Department is directed to provide quar-
terly briefings to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress on the status of implementation of the 
provisions in Public Law 118–42 related to veterans in the 
Freely Associated States [FAS] in a way that is consistent 
with Congressional intent, including engagement with FAS
† HR 3944 EAS 
governments, a projected timeline for veterans in the FAS 
to receive hospital care and medical services, and an esti-
mate of the cost of implementation. 
SEC. 261. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
this Act may be used in a manner that would— 
(1) interfere with the ability of a veteran to par-
ticipate in a medicinal marijuana program approved 
by a State; 
(2) deny any services from the Department to a 
veteran who is participating in such a program; or 
(3) limit or interfere with the ability of a health 
care provider of the Department to make appropriate 
recommendations, fill out forms, or take steps to com-
ply with such a program. 
REPORT ON THE USE OF THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTORS TO 
CONDUCT
MEDICAL
DISABILITY
EXAMINATIONS
OF 
VETERANS FOR PURPOSES OF OBTAINING DISABILITY 
COMPENSATION 
SEC. 262. (a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee 
on Appropriations and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and 
the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report on the use of third-party contractors
† HR 3944 EAS 
to conduct medical disability examinations of veterans for 
purposes of obtaining disability compensation. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report submitted pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) The number of contractors used in each State 
to conduct disability compensation examinations. 
(2) Contract performance and quality measures. 
(3) The average miles a veteran is required to 
travel to attend a contract medical disability exam-
ination, disaggregated by State. 
(4) The average wait time for an individual to 
receive an examination. 
(5) A description of the process at the Depart-
ment for handling complaints of veterans about their 
experience with a contracted medical disability exam-
iner. 
SEC. 263. (a) Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ 
Affairs and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Finan-
cial Services of the House of Representatives a report that 
identifies, as of the date of the report, the total number of 
veterans participating in the housing choice voucher pro-
† HR 3944 EAS 
gram under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act 
of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)). 
(b) In this section, the term ‘‘veteran’’— 
(1) means a person who, regardless of length of 
service, was a member of the armed forces (as that 
term is defined in section 101 of title 10, United 
States Code); and 
(2) does not include a person who— 
(A) received a dishonorable discharge from 
the armed forces; or 
(B) was discharged or dismissed from the 
armed forces by reason of the sentence of a gen-
eral court-martial. 
NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION SURVEYS 
SEC. 264. (a) The Under Secretary for Memorial Af-
fairs of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall continue 
to— 
(1) administer the customer service survey of the 
National Cemetery Administration to veterans, fami-
lies, and funeral homes through ongoing survey ac-
tivities; and 
(2) publish the results of such survey. 
(b) SUBMITTAL TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 30 
days before the date on which any change is made to the 
survey described in subsection (a), including with respect 
to methodology, participants, or scope, the Under Secretary
† HR 3944 EAS 
for Memorial Affairs shall submit a description of such 
change to— 
(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
INTERMENT
SCHEDULE
AVAILABILITY
AT
CEMETERIES 
UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE NATIONAL CEMETERY 
ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 265. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall maintain, on the publicly accessible 
website landing page of the National Cemetery Administra-
tion, a spreadsheet or similar document displaying the most 
recent interment schedule availability for each operational 
cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Ad-
ministration. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs shall— 
(1) not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, make the spreadsheet or similar 
document described in subsection (a) available as re-
quired by such subsection; and 
(2) once every 30 days thereafter, update such 
spreadsheet or similar document.
† HR 3944 EAS 
(c) DEFINITION
OF INTERMENT SCHEDULE AVAIL-
ABILITY.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall sub-
mit to the appropriate committees of Congress a proposed 
definition for the term ‘‘interment schedule availability’’ 
that— 
(1) generally means the number of business days 
between the establishment of a case for a deceased in-
dividual and the first availability for the interment 
of the individual; and 
(2) takes into account the ability to meet the 
family’s preferred dates, days of the week, and times 
for scheduling the interment. 
(d) REPORT ON HISTORICAL DATA.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appro-
priate committees of Congress a report on data for inter-
ment schedule availability during the five-year period end-
ing on the date on which the report is submitted. 
(e) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES
OF CONGRESS DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees 
of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and
† HR 3944 EAS 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
SEC. 266. Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall provide to the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives a briefing on the current status, path for-
ward, and timeline to construct a new medical center of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs in Reno, Nevada, uti-
lizing in full the funds that have been previously appro-
priated for such purpose prior to their expiration. 
LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR CANCELING 
LARGE CONTRACTS 
SEC. 267. None of the amounts appropriated by this 
title may be obligated or expended to cancel a contract with 
a value that exceeds $10,000,000 until the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs has submitted to the Committee on Appro-
priations and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives 
an advance notification and written explanation of contin-
gency plans to replace the relevant service being cancelled, 
including any necessary change in the Department’s staff-
ing levels.
† HR 3944 EAS 
SEC. 268. (a) Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives, and each Member of Congress a 
report on the current backlog in funding for construction 
and renovation of State homes for veterans. 
(b) The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following: 
(1) A list of all unfunded or partially funded ap-
plications for construction grants for State homes, in-
cluding those identified on the priority lists for fiscal 
year 2024 and 2025. 
(2) The estimated total funding required to fully 
fund all projects under such pending applications. 
(3) A description of the key hurdles to clearing 
the backlog of construction grant applications, includ-
ing administrative, regulatory, and funding-related 
barriers. 
(4) Any recommendations for administrative or 
legislative action to reduce delays and accelerate the 
approval and completion of State home projects. 
(5) An exploration of potential options for in-
terim or alternative sources of funding to sustain or 
advance priority projects currently awaiting Federal
† HR 3944 EAS 
support, including an evaluation of such options for 
feasibility and potential impact. 
(c) The requirement under subsection (b)(5) shall not 
be construed as relieving Congress of its responsibility to 
fund State homes fully and in a timely manner. 
(d) In this section, the term ‘‘State home’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 269. No funds appropriated by this title shall be 
used to reduce staffing, limit hours of operation, decrease 
training opportunities, curb access to relevant information 
technology systems, or otherwise reduce the capacity of the 
Veterans Crisis Line established under section 1720F(h) of 
title 38, United States Code, to respond to and provide re-
sources to veterans in crisis. 
REPORT ON REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STAFFING 
MODELS AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
SEC. 270. (a) DEFINITION OF APPROPRIATE COMMIT-
TEES OF CONGRESS.—In this section, the term ‘‘appro-
priate committees of Congress’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives.
† HR 3944 EAS 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report on the efforts of the Secretary to review 
and implement staffing models at the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs that will ensure timely, high quality delivery 
of health care, benefits, and other services furnished by the 
Department. Such report shall describe the methodology and 
review process the Secretary is using to create the staffing 
models for the Department.
† HR 3944 EAS 
TITLE III 
RELATED AGENCIES 
AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of 
the American Battle Monuments Commission, including the 
acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries; 
purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national 
cemeteries and monuments outside of the United States and 
its territories and possessions; rent of office and garage 
space in foreign countries; purchase (one-for-one replace-
ment basis only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not 
to exceed $15,000 for official reception and representation 
expenses; and insurance of official motor vehicles in foreign 
countries, when required by law of such countries, 
$108,281,000 to remain available until expended. 
FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS ACCOUNT 
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of 
the American Battle Monuments Commission, such sums as 
may be necessary, to remain available until expended, for 
purposes authorized by section 2109 of title 36, United 
States Code.
† HR 3944 EAS 
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 
CLAIMS 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses for the operation of the United 
States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized 
by sections 7251 through 7298 of title 38, United States 
Code, $49,000,000, of which $3,000,000 shall be available 
until September 30, 2027: Provided, That $4,256,000 shall 
be available for the purpose of providing financial assist-
ance as described and in accordance with the process and 
reporting procedures set forth under this heading in Public 
Law 102–229. 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL 
CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses for maintenance, operation, 
and improvement of Arlington National Cemetery and Sol-
diers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery, including 
the purchase or lease of passenger motor vehicles for replace-
ment on a one-for-one basis only, and not to exceed $2,000 
for 
official 
reception 
and 
representation 
expenses, 
$118,780,450, of which not to exceed $15,000,000 shall re-
main available until September 30, 2028. In addition, such 
sums as may be necessary for parking maintenance, repairs 
and replacement, to be derived from the ‘‘Lease of Depart-
† HR 3944 EAS 
ment of Defense Real Property for Defense Agencies’’ ac-
count. 
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME 
TRUST FUND 
For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retire-
ment Home to operate and maintain the Armed Forces Re-
tirement Home—Washington, District of Columbia, and the 
Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mississippi, to 
be paid from funds available in the Armed Forces Retire-
ment Home Trust Fund, $79,000,000, to remain available 
until September 30, 2027, of which $2,072,000 shall remain 
available until expended for construction and renovation of 
the physical plants at the Armed Forces Retirement 
Home—Washington, District of Columbia, and the Armed 
Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mississippi: Provided, 
That of the amounts made available under this heading 
from funds available in the Armed Forces Retirement Home 
Trust Fund, $27,000,000 shall be paid from the general 
fund of the Treasury to the Trust Fund. 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION 
SEC. 301. Amounts deposited into the special account 
established under 10 U.S.C. 7727 are appropriated and 
shall be available until expended to support activities at 
the Army National Military Cemeteries.
† HR 3944 EAS 
TITLE IV 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in 
this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the 
current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein. 
SEC. 402. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used for any program, project, or activity, when 
it is made known to the Federal entity or official to which 
the funds are made available that the program, project, or 
activity is not in compliance with any Federal law relating 
to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, 
or unfunded mandates. 
SEC. 403. All departments and agencies funded under 
this Act are encouraged, within the limits of the existing 
statutory authorities and funding, to expand their use of 
‘‘E-Commerce’’ technologies and procedures in the conduct 
of their business practices and public service activities. 
SEC. 404. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and noti-
fications required by this Act shall be submitted to the Sub-
committee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, 
and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on 
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related 
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
† HR 3944 EAS 
SEC. 405. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or in-
strumentality of the United States Government except pur-
suant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided 
in, this or any other appropriations Act. 
SEC. 406. (a) Any agency receiving funds made avail-
able in this Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), 
post on the public Web site of that agency any report re-
quired to be submitted by the Congress in this or any other 
Act, upon the determination by the head of the agency that 
it shall serve the national interest. 
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if— 
(1) the public posting of the report compromises 
national security; or 
(2) the report contains confidential or propri-
etary information. 
(c) The head of the agency posting such report shall 
do so only after such report has been made available to the 
requesting Committee or Committees of Congress for no less 
than 45 days. 
SEC. 407. (a) None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used to maintain or establish a computer net-
work unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, 
and exchanging of pornography.
† HR 3944 EAS 
(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of 
funds necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law 
enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out crimi-
nal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities. 
SEC. 408. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used by an agency of the executive branch to 
pay for first-class travel by an employee of the agency in 
contravention of sections 301–10.122 through 301–10.124 of 
title 41, Code of Federal Regulations. 
SEC. 409. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used to execute a contract for goods or services, 
including construction services, where the contractor has 
not complied with Executive Order No. 12989. 
SEC. 410. None of the funds made available by this 
Act may be used in contravention of section 101(e)(8) of 
title 10, United States Code. 
SEC. 411. (a) IN GENERAL.—None of the funds appro-
priated or otherwise made available to the Department of 
Defense in this Act may be used to construct, renovate, or 
expand any facility in the United States, its territories, or 
possessions to house any individual detained at United 
States Naval Station, Guanta´namo Bay, Cuba, for the pur-
poses of detention or imprisonment in the custody or under 
the control of the Department of Defense.
† HR 3944 EAS 
(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply 
to any modification of facilities at United States Naval 
Station, Guanta´namo Bay, Cuba. 
(c) An individual described in this subsection is any 
individual who, as of June 24, 2009, is located at United 
States Naval Station, Guanta´namo Bay, Cuba, and who— 
(1) is not a citizen of the United States or a 
member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and 
(2) is— 
(A) in the custody or under the effective 
control of the Department of Defense; or 
(B) otherwise under detention at United 
States Naval Station, Guanta´namo Bay, Cuba. 
SEC. 412. None of the funds made available by this 
Act may be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under 
section 5502 of title 38, United States Code, in any case 
arising out of the administration by the Secretary of laws 
and benefits under such title, to report a person who is 
deemed mentally incapacitated, mentally incompetent, or 
to be experiencing an extended loss of consciousness as a 
person who has been adjudicated as a mental defective 
under subsection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18, 
United States Code, without the order or finding of a judge, 
magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent juris-
† HR 3944 EAS 
diction that such person is a danger to himself or herself 
or others. 
SEC. 413. (a) Each department or agency funded in 
this or any other appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026 
shall, no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, 
report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate on funds that are allotted 
and available for obligation as of the end of the reporting 
period and on obligations as of the end of the reporting 
period: Provided, That such report shall be delineated by: 
(1) program, project, and activity level; (2) public law mak-
ing such funds available; and (3) period of availability: 
Provided further, That such reports shall be transmitted to 
the Committees monthly thereafter, on the fifteenth of each 
such month, during the period of availability of the relevant 
funds. 
(b) The term ‘‘reporting period’’ as used in this section 
means the month that precedes the date on which the de-
partment or agency transmits the report to the Committees. 
This division may be cited as the ‘‘Military Construc-
tion, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropria-
tions Act, 2026’’.
† HR 3944 EAS 
DIVISION B—AGRICULTURE, RURAL DE-
VELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMIN-
ISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026 
The following sums are appropriated, out of any 
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for Ag-
riculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administra-
tion, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep-
tember 30, 2026, and for other purposes, namely: 
TITLE I 
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS 
PROCESSING, RESEARCH, AND MARKETING 
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary, 
$51,792,000 of which not to exceed $7,000,000 shall be 
available for the immediate Office of the Secretary, of which 
$650,000 shall be for the establishment of a Seafood Indus-
try Liaison; not to exceed $1,896,000 shall be available for 
the Office of Homeland Security; not to exceed $5,190,000 
shall be available for the Office of Tribal Relations, of which 
$1,000,000 shall be to continue a Tribal Public Health Re-
source Center at a land grant university with existing in-
digenous public health expertise to expand current partner-
ships and collaborative efforts with indigenous groups to
† HR 3944 EAS 
improve the delivery of public health services and functions 
in American Indian communities focusing on indigenous 
food sovereignty; not to exceed $6,000,000 shall be available 
for the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, of 
which $1,500,000 shall be for 7 U.S.C. 2279(c)(5); not to 
exceed $21,706,000 shall be available for the Office of the 
Assistant 
Secretary 
for 
Administration, 
of 
which 
$20,000,000 shall be available for Departmental Adminis-
tration to provide for necessary expenses for management 
support services to offices of the Department and for general 
administration, security, repairs and alterations, and other 
miscellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise provided 
for and necessary for the practical and efficient work of the 
Department: Provided, That funds made available by this 
Act to an agency in the Administration mission area for 
salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one ad-
ministrative support staff for the Office; not to exceed 
$4,000,000 shall be available for the Office of Assistant Sec-
retary for Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental 
Affairs to carry out the programs funded by this Act, in-
cluding programs involving intergovernmental affairs and 
liaison within the executive branch; and not to exceed 
$6,000,000 shall be available for the Office of Communica-
tions: Provided further, That the Secretary of Agriculture 
is authorized to transfer funds appropriated for any office
† HR 3944 EAS 
of the Office of the Secretary to any other office of the Office 
of the Secretary: Provided further, That no appropriation 
for any office shall be increased or decreased by more than 
5 percent: Provided further, That not to exceed $22,000 of 
the amount made available under this paragraph for the 
immediate Office of the Secretary shall be available for offi-
cial reception and representation expenses, not otherwise 
provided for, as determined by the Secretary: Provided fur-
ther, That the amount made available under this heading 
for Departmental Administration shall be reimbursed from 
applicable appropriations in this Act for travel expenses in-
cident to the holding of hearings as required by 5 U.S.C. 
551–558: Provided further, That funds made available 
under this heading for the Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs 
shall be transferred to agencies of the Department of Agri-
culture funded by this Act to maintain personnel at the 
agency level: Provided further, That no funds made avail-
able under this heading for the Office of Assistant Secretary 
for Congressional Relations may be obligated after 30 days 
from the date of enactment of this Act, unless the Secretary 
has notified the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress on the allocation of these funds by 
USDA agency: Provided further, That during any 30 day 
notification period referenced in section 716 of this Act, the
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† HR 3944 EAS 
Secretary of Agriculture shall take no action to begin imple-
mentation of the action that is subject to section 716 of this 
Act or make any public announcement of such action in 
any form. 
EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS 
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Econo-
mist, $30,500,000, of which $10,000,000 shall be for grants 
or cooperative agreements for policy research under 7 
U.S.C. 3155: Provided, That of the amounts made available 
under this heading, $2,450,000 shall be for an interdiscipli-
nary center based at a land grant university focused on 
agricultural policy relevant to the Midwest region which 
will provide private entities, policymakers, and the public 
with timely insights and targeted economic solutions: Pro-
vided further, That of the amounts made available under 
this heading, $500,000 shall be available to carry out sec-
tion 224 of subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Re-
organization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6924), as amended by 
section 12504 of Public Law 115–334. 
OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Hearings and 
Appeals, $16,000,000.
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† HR 3944 EAS 
OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Pro-
gram Analysis, $14,967,000. 
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Infor-
mation Officer, $91,000,000, of which not less than 
$77,428,000 is for cybersecurity requirements of the depart-
ment. 
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Finan-
cial Officer, $6,867,000. 
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL 
RIGHTS 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, $1,466,000: Provided, That 
funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Civil 
Rights mission area for salaries and expenses are available 
to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office. 
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights, 
$37,000,000. 
AGRICULTURE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
For payment of space rental and related costs pursu-
ant to Public Law 92–313, including authorities pursuant
102 
† HR 3944 EAS 
to the 1984 delegation of authority from the Administrator 
of General Services to the Department of Agriculture under 
40 U.S.C. 121, for programs and activities of the Depart-
ment which are included in this Act, and for alterations 
and other actions needed for the Department and its agen-
cies to consolidate unneeded space into configurations suit-
able for release to the Administrator of General Services, 
and for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and re-
pair of Agriculture buildings and facilities, and for related 
costs, $22,603,000, to remain available until expended. 
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
For necessary expenses of the Department of Agri-
culture, to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 
9601 et seq.) and the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 
6901 et seq.), $3,000,000, to remain available until ex-
pended: Provided, That appropriations and funds available 
herein to the Department for Hazardous Materials Manage-
ment may be transferred to any agency of the Department 
for its use in meeting all requirements pursuant to the 
above Acts on Federal and non-Federal lands. 
OFFICE OF SAFETY, SECURITY, AND PROTECTION 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Safety, Security, 
and Protection, $20,800,000.
103 
† HR 3944 EAS 
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral, including employment pursuant to the Inspector Gen-
eral Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–452; 5 U.S.C. App.), 
$111,561,000, including such sums as may be necessary for 
contracting and other arrangements with public agencies 
and private persons pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the In-
spector General Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–452; 5 U.S.C. 
App.), and including not to exceed $125,000 for certain con-
fidential operational expenses, including the payment of in-
formants, to be expended under the direction of the Inspec-
tor General pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978 
(Public Law 95–452; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 1337 of 
the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (Public Law 97–98). 
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the General 
Counsel, $60,537,000. 
OFFICE OF ETHICS 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Ethics, 
$4,500,000. 
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH, 
EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Sec-
retary 
for 
Research, 
Education, 
and 
Economics, 
$1,884,000: Provided, That funds made available by this
104 
† HR 3944 EAS 
Act to an agency in the Research, Education, and Econom-
ics mission area for salaries and expenses are available to 
fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office: 
Provided further, That of the amounts made available 
under this heading, $500,000 shall be made available for 
the Office of the Chief Scientist. 
ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE 
For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Serv-
ice, $90,612,000. 
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 
For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service, $187,513,000, of which up to $46,000,000 
shall be available until expended for the Census of Agri-
culture: Provided, That amounts made available for the 
Census of Agriculture may be used to conduct Current In-
dustrial Report surveys subject to 7 U.S.C. 2204g(d) and 
(f): Provided further, That the Secretary shall notify the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
in writing at least 30 days prior to discontinuing data col-
lection programs and reports. 
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses of the Agricultural Research 
Service and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange, 
or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100,000 and
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† HR 3944 EAS 
with prior notification and approval of the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, and for land 
exchanges where the lands exchanged shall be of equal value 
or shall be equalized by a payment of money to the grantor 
which shall not exceed 25 percent of the total value of the 
land or interests transferred out of Federal ownership, 
$1,826,778,000: Provided, That appropriations hereunder 
shall be available for the operation and maintenance of air-
craft and the purchase of not to exceed one for replacement 
only: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall 
be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for the construction, 
alteration, and repair of buildings and improvements, but 
unless otherwise provided, the cost of constructing any one 
building shall not exceed $500,000, except for headhouses 
or greenhouses which shall each be limited to $1,800,000, 
except for 10 buildings to be constructed or improved at 
a cost not to exceed $1,100,000 each, and except for four 
buildings to be constructed at a cost not to exceed 
$5,000,000 each, and the cost of altering any one building 
during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the cur-
rent replacement value of the building or $500,000, which-
ever is greater: Provided further, That appropriations here-
under shall be available for entering into lease agreements 
at any Agricultural Research Service location for the con-
struction of a research facility by a non-Federal entity for
106 
† HR 3944 EAS 
use by the Agricultural Research Service and a condition 
of the lease shall be that any facility shall be owned, oper-
ated, and maintained by the non-Federal entity and shall 
be removed upon the expiration or termination of the lease 
agreement: Provided further, That the limitations on alter-
ations contained in this Act shall not apply to moderniza-
tion or replacement of existing facilities at Beltsville, Mary-
land: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder 
shall be available for granting easements at the Beltsville 
Agricultural Research Center: Provided further, That the 
foregoing limitations shall not apply to replacement of 
buildings needed to carry out the Act of April 24, 1948 (21 
U.S.C. 113a): Provided further, That appropriations here-
under shall be available for granting easements at any Ag-
ricultural Research Service location for the construction of 
a research facility by a non-Federal entity for use by, and 
acceptable to, the Agricultural Research Service and a con-
dition of the easements shall be that upon completion the 
facility shall be accepted by the Secretary, subject to the 
availability of funds herein, if the Secretary finds that ac-
ceptance of the facility is in the interest of the United 
States: Provided further, That funds may be received from 
any State, other political subdivision, organization, or in-
dividual for the purpose of establishing or operating any 
research facility or research project of the Agricultural Re-
107 
† HR 3944 EAS 
search Service, as authorized by law: Provided further, That 
no later than 60 days from the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall provide a report to the Committees 
on Appropriations of both House of Congress that outlines 
the current staffing levels and hiring plans in fiscal year 
2026 for each research unit. 
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES 
For the acquisition of land, construction, repair, im-
provement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed 
equipment or facilities as necessary to carry out the agricul-
tural research programs of the Department of Agriculture, 
where not otherwise provided, $42,650,000, to remain avail-
able until expended, which shall be for the purposes, and 
in the amounts, specified for this account in the table titled 
‘‘Congressionally Directed Spending’’ in the report accom-
panying this Act. 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES 
For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for 
cooperative forestry and other research, for facilities, and 
for other expenses, $1,089,510,000, which shall be for the 
purposes, in the amounts, and for the periods of availability 
specified in the table titled ‘‘National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture, Research and Education Activities’’ in the re-
port accompanying this Act, of which $559,760,000 shall
108 
† HR 3944 EAS 
remain available until expended and of which $2,000,000 
shall remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided, 
That of the amounts provided under this heading, 
$13,560,000 shall be for the purposes, and in the amounts, 
specified for this account in the table titled ‘‘Congression-
ally Directed Spending’’ in the report accompanying this 
Act, to remain available until expended, which shall not 
be subject to section 6(c) and section 6(d) of the Research 
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390d): Provided further, That each 
institution eligible to receive funds under the Evans-Allen 
program receives no less than $1,000,000: Provided further, 
That funds for education grants for Alaska Native and Na-
tive Hawaiian-serving institutions be made available to in-
dividual eligible institutions or consortia of eligible institu-
tions with funds awarded equally to each of the States of 
Alaska and Hawaii: Provided further, That funds for edu-
cation grants for 1890 institutions shall be made available 
to institutions eligible to receive funds under 7 U.S.C. 3221 
and 3222: Provided further, That not more than 5 percent 
of the amounts made available by this or any other Act 
to carry out the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative 
under 7 U.S.C. 3157 may be retained by the Secretary of 
Agriculture to pay administrative costs incurred by the Sec-
retary in carrying out that authority.
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NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND 
For the Native American Institutions Endowment 
Fund authorized by Public Law 103–382 (7 U.S.C. 301 
note), $11,880,000, to remain available until expended. 
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES 
For payments to States, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, the 
Northern Marianas, and American Samoa, $561,700,000 
which shall be for the purposes, in the amounts, and for 
the periods of availability specified in the table titled ‘‘Na-
tional Institute of Food and Agriculture, Extension Activi-
ties’’ in the report accompanying this Act, of which 
$32,500,000 shall remain available until expended: Pro-
vided, That institutions eligible to receive funds under 7 
U.S.C. 3221 for cooperative extension receive no less than 
$1,000,000: Provided further, That funds for cooperative ex-
tension under sections 3(b) and (c) of the Smith-Lever Act 
(7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c)) and section 208(c) of Public Law 
93–471 shall be available for retirement and employees’ 
compensation costs for extension agents. 
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES 
For the integrated research, education, and extension 
grants programs, including necessary administrative ex-
penses, $41,100,000, which shall be for the purposes, in the 
amounts, and for the periods of availability specified in the
110 
† HR 3944 EAS 
table titled ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture, In-
tegrated Activities’’ in the report accompanying this Act, 
of which $8,000,000 shall remain available until expended: 
Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
indirect costs shall not be charged against any Extension 
Implementation Program Area grant awarded under the 
Crop Protection/Pest Management Program (7 U.S.C. 
7626). 
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR MARKETING AND 
REGULATORY PROGRAMS 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Sec-
retary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, $1,617,000: 
Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an 
agency in the Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission 
area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to 
one administrative support staff for the Office. 
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
For necessary expenses of the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service, including up to $30,000 for rep-
resentation allowances and for expenses pursuant to the 
Foreign 
Service 
Act 
of 
1980 
(22 
U.S.C. 
4085), 
$1,167,534,000 which shall be for the purposes, in the 
amounts, and for the periods of availability specified in the
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table titled ‘‘Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’’ 
in the report accompanying this Act, of which $601,551,000 
shall remain available until expended, of which $11,384,000 
shall be for the purposes, and in the amounts, specified for 
this account in the table titled ‘‘Congressionally Directed 
Spending’’ in the report accompanying this Act, to remain 
available until expended, and of which $8,500,000 shall re-
main available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That 
no funds shall be used to formulate or administer a brucel-
losis eradication program for the current fiscal year that 
does not require minimum matching by the States of at 
least 40 percent: Provided further, That this appropriation 
shall be available for the purchase, replacement, operation, 
and maintenance of aircraft: Provided further, That in ad-
dition, in emergencies which threaten any segment of the 
agricultural production industry of the United States, the 
Secretary may transfer from other appropriations or funds 
available to the agencies or corporations of the Department 
such sums as may be deemed necessary, to be available only 
in such emergencies for the arrest and eradication of con-
tagious or infectious disease or pests of animals, poultry, 
or plants, and for expenses in accordance with sections 
10411 and 10417 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 
U.S.C. 8310 and 8316) and sections 431 and 442 of the 
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7751 and 7772), and any
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unexpended balances of funds transferred for such emer-
gency purposes in the preceding fiscal year shall be merged 
with such transferred amounts: Provided further, That the 
Secretary must notify the Committees on Appropriations 
about any transfer of funds in the preceding proviso within 
15 days after such transfer being made: Provided further, 
That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant 
to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the repair and alteration of 
leased buildings and improvements, but unless otherwise 
provided the cost of altering any one building during the 
fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replace-
ment value of the building. 
In fiscal year 2026, the agency is authorized to collect 
fees to cover the total costs of providing technical assistance, 
goods, or services requested by States, other political sub-
divisions, domestic and international organizations, foreign 
governments, or individuals, provided that such fees are 
structured such that any entity’s liability for such fees is 
reasonably based on the technical assistance, goods, or serv-
ices provided to the entity by the agency, and such fees shall 
be reimbursed to this account, to remain available until ex-
pended, without further appropriation, for providing such 
assistance, goods, or services.
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BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES 
For plans, construction, repair, preventive mainte-
nance, environmental support, improvement, extension, al-
teration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as 
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2250, and acquisition of land as 
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2268a, $1,000,000, to remain avail-
able until expended. 
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE 
MARKETING SERVICES 
For necessary expenses of the Agricultural Marketing 
Service, $222,887,000, which shall be for the purposes and 
in the amounts specified in the table titled ‘‘Agricultural 
Marketing Service—Marketing Services’’ in the report ac-
companying this Act: Provided, That amounts made avail-
able for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives to carry out 
section 12513 of Public Law 115–334 (7 U.S.C. 1632d) 
shall remain available until expended and the Secretary 
shall take measures to ensure an equal distribution of funds 
between the three regional innovation initiatives that were 
first established using funds made available under this 
heading in Public Law 116–6: Provided further, That this 
appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 
2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and im-
provements, but the cost of altering any one building during
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the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current 
replacement value of the building. 
Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization 
activities, as established by regulation pursuant to law (31 
U.S.C. 9701), except for the cost of activities relating to the 
development or maintenance of grain standards under the 
United States Grain Standards Act, 7 U.S.C. 71 et seq. 
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 
Not to exceed $62,596,000 (from fees collected) shall be 
obligated during the current fiscal year for administrative 
expenses: Provided, That if crop size is understated and/ 
or other uncontrollable events occur, the agency may exceed 
this limitation by up to 10 percent with notification to the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 
FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND 
SUPPLY (SECTION 32) 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 
24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), shall be used only for commodity 
program expenses as authorized therein, and other related 
operating expenses, except for: (1) transfers to the Depart-
ment of Commerce as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife 
Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.); (2) transfers otherwise 
provided in this Act; and (3) not more than $23,880,000 
for formulation and administration of marketing agree-
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ments and orders pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937 and the Agricultural Act of 1961 
(Public Law 87–128). 
PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS 
For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus 
and departments of markets, and similar agencies for mar-
keting activities under section 204(b) of the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $1,000,000. 
LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES 
EXPENSES 
Not to exceed $55,000,000 (from fees collected) shall be 
obligated during the current fiscal year for inspection and 
weighing services: Provided, That if grain export activities 
require additional supervision and oversight, or other un-
controllable factors occur, this limitation may be exceeded 
by up to 10 percent with notification to the Committees 
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD SAFETY 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Sec-
retary for Food Safety, $1,117,000: Provided, That funds 
made available by this Act to an agency in the Food Safety 
mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund 
up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
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FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE 
For necessary expenses to carry out services authorized 
by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products 
Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, in-
cluding not to exceed $10,000 for representation allowances 
and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved 
August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $1,226,000,000; and in 
addition, $1,000,000 may be credited to this account from 
fees collected for the cost of laboratory accreditation as au-
thorized by section 1327 of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 138f): Provided, That 
funds provided for the Public Health Data Communication 
Infrastructure system shall remain available until ex-
pended: Provided further, That no fewer than 148 full-time 
equivalent positions shall be employed during fiscal year 
2026 for purposes dedicated solely to inspections and en-
forcement related to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.): Provided further, That the Food 
Safety and Inspection Service shall continue implementa-
tion of section 11016 of Public Law 110–246 as further 
clarified by the amendments made in section 12106 of Pub-
lic Law 113–79: Provided further, That this appropriation 
shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the 
alteration and repair of buildings and improvements, but 
the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year
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shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value 
of the building.
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TITLE II 
FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION 
PROGRAMS 
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FARM 
PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION 
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Sec-
retary for Farm Production and Conservation, $1,527,000: 
Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an 
agency in the Farm Production and Conservation mission 
area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to 
one administrative support staff for the Office. 
FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION BUSINESS 
CENTER 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
For necessary expenses of the Farm Production and 
Conservation Business Center, $238,500,000, of which 
$1,000,000 shall be for the implementation of section 773 
of Public Law 117–328: Provided, That $70,740,000 of 
amounts appropriated for the current fiscal year pursuant 
to section 1241(a) of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) shall be transferred 
to and merged with this account.
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FARM SERVICE AGENCY 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
For necessary expenses of the Farm Service Agency, 
$1,209,307,000, of which not less than $15,000,000 shall be 
for the hiring of new employees to fill vacancies and antici-
pated vacancies at Farm Service Agency county offices and 
farm loan officers and shall be available until September 
30, 2027: Provided, That the agency shall submit a report 
by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026 to the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
that identifies for each project/investment that is oper-
ational (a) current performance against key indicators of 
customer satisfaction, (b) current performance of service 
level agreements or other technical metrics, (c) current per-
formance against a pre-established cost baseline, (d) a de-
tailed breakdown of current and planned spending on oper-
ational enhancements or upgrades, and (e) an assessment 
of whether the investment continues to meet business needs 
as intended as well as alternatives to the investment: Pro-
vided further, That the Secretary is authorized to use the 
services, facilities, and authorities (but not the funds) of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation to make program pay-
ments for all programs administered by the Agency: Pro-
vided further, That other funds made available to the Agen-
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cy for authorized activities may be advanced to and merged 
with this account: Provided further, That of the amount ap-
propriated under this heading, $696,594,000 shall be made 
available to county offices, to remain available until ex-
pended: Provided further, That, notwithstanding the pre-
ceding proviso, any funds made available to county offices 
in the current fiscal year that the Administrator of the 
Farm Service Agency deems to exceed or not meet the 
amount needed for the county offices may be transferred to 
or from the Farm Service Agency for necessary expenses: 
Provided further, That none of the funds available for any 
department or agency in this or any other appropriations 
Acts, including prior year Acts, shall be used to close Farm 
Service Agency county offices: Provided further, That none 
of the funds available to the Farm Service Agency shall be 
used to permanently relocate county based employees that 
would result in an office with two or fewer employees with-
out prior notification and approval of the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. 
STATE MEDIATION GRANTS 
For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricul-
tural Credit Act of 1987, as amended (7 U.S.C. 5101–5106), 
$6,500,000: Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture 
may determine that United States territories and Federally
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recognized Indian tribes are ‘‘States’’ for the purposes of 
Subtitle A of such Act. 
GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM 
For necessary expenses to carry out wellhead or 
groundwater protection activities under section 1240O of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–2), 
$7,000,000, to remain available until expended. 
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity 
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy 
products under a dairy indemnity program, such sums as 
may be necessary, to remain available until expended: Pro-
vided, That such program is carried out by the Secretary 
in the same manner as the dairy indemnity program de-
scribed in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropria-
tions Act, 2001 (Public Law 106–387, 114 Stat. 1549A– 
12). 
GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND 
RANCHERS 
For necessary expenses to carry out direct reimburse-
ment payments to geographically disadvantaged farmers 
and ranchers under section 1621 of the Food Conservation,
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and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8792), $3,500,000, to 
remain available until expended. 
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM 
ACCOUNT 
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS) 
For gross obligations for the principal amount of di-
rect and guaranteed farm ownership (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) 
and operating (7 U.S.C. 1941 et seq.) loans, emergency 
loans (7 U.S.C. 1961 et seq.), Indian tribe land acquisition 
loans (25 U.S.C. 5136), boll weevil loans (7 U.S.C. 1989), 
guaranteed conservation loans (7 U.S.C. 1924 et seq.), and 
relending program (7 U.S.C. 1936c), to be available from 
funds in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, as fol-
lows: $3,500,000,000 for guaranteed farm ownership loans 
and $3,100,000,000 for farm ownership direct loans; 
$2,000,000,000 for unsubsidized guaranteed operating loans 
and $1,633,000,000 for direct operating loans; emergency 
loans, $14,388,000; Indian tribe land acquisition loans, 
$20,000,000; guaranteed conservation loans, $150,000,000; 
and for boll weevil eradication program loans, $60,000,000: 
Provided, That the Secretary shall deem the pink bollworm 
to be a boll weevil for the purpose of boll weevil eradication 
program loans. 
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans and grants, 
including the cost of modifying loans as defined in section
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502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: 
$1,000,000 for emergency loans, to remain available until 
expended; $39,370,000 for farm ownership direct loans, and 
$84,000 for boll weevil eradication program loans. 
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to 
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, 
$326,053,000: Provided, That of this amount, $305,803,000 
shall be paid to the appropriation for ‘‘Farm Service Agen-
cy, Salaries and Expenses’’. 
Funds appropriated by this Act to the Agricultural 
Credit Insurance Program Account for farm ownership, op-
erating, conservation, and emergency direct loans and loan 
guarantees may be transferred among these programs: Pro-
vided, That the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress are notified at least 15 days in advance 
of any transfer. 
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses of the Risk Management Agen-
cy, $65,637,000: Provided, That $1,000,000 of the amount 
appropriated under this heading in this Act shall be avail-
able for compliance and integrity activities required under 
section 516(b)(2)(C) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 
1938 (7 U.S.C. 1516(b)(2)(C)), and shall be in addition to 
amounts otherwise provided for such purpose: Provided fur-
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ther, That not to exceed $1,000 shall be available for official 
reception and representation expenses, as authorized by 7 
U.S.C. 1506(i). 
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE 
CONSERVATION OPERATIONS 
For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions 
of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a–f), including 
preparation of conservation plans and establishment of 
measures to conserve soil and water (including farm irriga-
tion and land drainage and such special measures for soil 
and water management as may be necessary to prevent 
floods and the siltation of reservoirs and to control agricul-
tural related pollutants); operation of conservation plant 
materials centers; classification and mapping of soil; dis-
semination of information; acquisition of lands, water, and 
interests therein for use in the plant materials program by 
donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to 
exceed $100 pursuant to the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 
2268a); purchase and erection or alteration or improvement 
of permanent and temporary buildings; and operation and 
maintenance of aircraft, $895,754,000, which shall be for 
the purposes and in the amounts specified in the table titled 
‘‘Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Op-
erations’’ in the report accompanying this Act, to remain 
available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That appro-
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priations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 
2250 for construction and improvement of buildings and 
public improvements at plant materials centers, except that 
the cost of alterations and improvements to other buildings 
and other public improvements shall not exceed $250,000: 
Provided further, That when buildings or other structures 
are erected on non-Federal land, that the right to use such 
land is obtained as provided in 7 U.S.C. 2250a. 
WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS 
For necessary expenses to carry out preventive meas-
ures, including but not limited to surveys and investiga-
tions, engineering operations, works of improvement, and 
changes in use of land, in accordance with the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001–1005 
and 1007–1009) and in accordance with the provisions of 
laws relating to the activities of the Department, 
$52,360,000, to remain available until expended, of which 
$32,360,000 shall be for the purposes, and in the amounts, 
specified for this account in the table titled ‘‘Congression-
ally Directed Spending’’ in the report accompanying this 
Act: Provided, That for funds provided by this Act or any 
other prior Act, the limitation regarding the size of the wa-
tershed or subwatershed exceeding two hundred and fifty 
thousand acres in which such activities can be undertaken 
shall only apply for activities undertaken for the primary
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purpose of flood prevention (including structural and land 
treatment measures): Provided further, That of the amounts 
made available under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be al-
located to multi-benefit irrigation modernization projects 
and activities that increase fish or wildlife habitat, reduce 
drought impact, improve water quality or instream flow, 
or provide off-channel renewable energy production. 
WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM 
Under the authorities of section 14 of the Watershed 
Protection and Flood Prevention Act, $1,000,000 is pro-
vided. 
CORPORATIONS 
The following corporations and agencies are hereby au-
thorized to make expenditures, within the limits of funds 
and borrowing authority available to each such corporation 
or agency and in accord with law, and to make contracts 
and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations 
as provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation 
Control Act as may be necessary in carrying out the pro-
grams set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for 
such corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided. 
FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION FUND 
For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Fed-
eral Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516), such sums as may 
be necessary, to remain available until expended.