I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6549 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to limit the obligation or expenditure 
of funds by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for certain purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 10, 2025 
Mr. BERGMAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to limit the obliga-
tion or expenditure of funds by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for certain purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘VA Contracting and 
Procurement Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OR EXPENDITURE OF 
FUNDS BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES. 
(a) CONTRACTS AND PERSONAL SERVICES.—Section 
513 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before 
‘‘The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OR EXPENDITURE 
OF FUNDS.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
may not obligate or expend more than $50,000,000 for 
any contract or agreement under this section unless funds 
for such agreement have been specifically authorized by 
law. 
‘‘(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply during— 
‘‘(A) a war declared by Congress; 
‘‘(B) a case described in section 4(a)(1) of the 
War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148; 50 
U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)); 
‘‘(C) a national emergency declared by the 
President under the National Emergencies Act 
(Public Law 94–412; 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) a major disaster declared by the President 
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
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Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) if— 
‘‘(i) such agreement is to be carried out in 
a State affected by such major disaster; and 
‘‘(ii) a medical facility of the Department 
is affected by such major disaster; or 
‘‘(E) a public health emergency declared by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d).’’. 
(b) VETERANS COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM.—Sec-
tion 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (q) as sub-
section (r); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (p) the fol-
lowing new subsection (q): 
‘‘(q) LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OR EXPENDITURE 
OF FUNDS.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
may not obligate or expend more than $50,000,000 for 
any agreement under this section unless funds for such 
agreement have been specifically authorized by law. 
‘‘(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply during— 
‘‘(A) a war declared by Congress; 
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‘‘(B) a case described in section 4(a)(1) of the 
War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148; 50 
U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)); 
‘‘(C) a national emergency declared by the 
President under the National Emergencies Act 
(Public Law 94–412; 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) a major disaster declared by the President 
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) if— 
‘‘(i) such agreement is to be carried out in 
a State affected by such major disaster; and 
‘‘(ii) a medical facility of the Department 
is affected by such major disaster; or 
‘‘(E) a public health emergency declared by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d).’’. 
(c) AGREEMENTS TO ADMINISTER THE FURNISHING 
OF HEALTH CARE IN DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.—Section 
1721 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by adding ‘‘and to 
enter into agreements’’ after ‘‘REGULATIONS’’ 
(and conforming the table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter accordingly); 
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(2) by inserting ‘‘(a) RULES
AND REGULA-
TIONS.—’’ before ‘‘Rules and regulations’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) AGREEMENTS.—(1) The Secretary may enter 
into an agreement (including an agreement regarding in-
formation technology) to administer the furnishing of care 
described in subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may not 
obligate or expend more than $50,000,000 for any agree-
ment under this section unless funds for such agreement 
have been specifically authorized by law. 
‘‘(3) The limitation under paragraph (2) shall not 
apply during— 
‘‘(A) a war declared by Congress; 
‘‘(B) a case described in section 4(a)(1) of the 
War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148; 50 
U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)); 
‘‘(C) a national emergency declared by the 
President under the National Emergencies Act 
(Public Law 94–412; 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) a major disaster declared by the President 
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) if— 
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‘‘(i) such agreement is to be carried out in 
a State affected by such major disaster; and 
‘‘(ii) a medical facility of the Department 
is affected by such major disaster; or 
‘‘(E) a public health emergency declared by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d).’’. 
(d) ADMINISTRATION
OF
EDUCATIONAL
BENE-
FITS.—Subchapter III of chapter 36 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 3698A 
the following new section (and conforming the table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 3698B. Limitation on obligation or expenditure of 
funds 
‘‘(a) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not obligate 
or expend more than $50,000,000 for any agreement 
under this chapter unless— 
‘‘(1) funds for such agreement have been spe-
cifically authorized by law; or 
‘‘(2)(A) the Secretary has submitted a notifica-
tion described in subsection (b) regarding such 
agreement; 
‘‘(B) 30 legislative days have elapsed after the 
date of such submission; and 
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‘‘(C) Congress has not enacted a joint resolu-
tion described in subsection (c) regarding such 
agreement. 
‘‘(b) NOTIFICATION.—(1) A notification described in 
this subsection is a notification— 
‘‘(A) submitted by the Secretary to the Com-
mittees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the 
House of Representatives; and 
‘‘(B) that describes a proposed agreement sub-
ject to the limitation under subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) A notification under this subsection shall include 
the following with respect to such proposed agreement: 
‘‘(A) The purpose. 
‘‘(B) The scope. 
‘‘(C) The estimated total cost. 
‘‘(D) The anticipated period of performance. 
‘‘(c) JOINT RESOLUTION.—A joint resolution of dis-
approval described in this subsection is a joint resolu-
tion— 
‘‘(1) introduced not later than 10 legislative 
days after receipt of a notification under subsection 
(b); 
‘‘(2) the matter after the resolving clause of 
which is as follows: ‘That Congress disapproves the 
proposed agreement described by the Secretary of 
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Veterans Affairs in the notification submitted under 
section 3698B of title 38, United States Code, on 
llllllllllllllllllll.’, 
the blank space being filled with the appropriate 
date; and 
‘‘(3) considered pursuant to the expedited pro-
cedures in subsections (d), (f), and (g) of section 
802 of title 5.’’. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION OF BENEFITS.—Chapter 53 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section (and conforming the table 
of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly): 
‘‘§ 5322. Limitation on obligation or expenditure of 
funds 
‘‘(a) LIMITATION.—Subject to subsection (b), the 
Secretary may not obligate or expend more than 
$50,000,000 for any agreement under this chapter unless 
funds for such agreement have been specifically authorized 
by law. 
‘‘(b) APPLICABILITY.—The limitation under sub-
section (a) shall not apply during— 
‘‘(1) a war declared by Congress; 
‘‘(2) a case described in section 4(a)(1) of the 
War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148; 50 
U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)); 
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‘‘(3) a national emergency declared by the 
President under the National Emergencies Act 
(Public Law 94–412; 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); 
‘‘(4) a major disaster declared by the President 
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) if— 
‘‘(A) such agreement is to be carried out 
in a State affected by such major disaster; and 
‘‘(B) a medical facility of the Department 
is affected by such major disaster; or 
‘‘(5) a public health emergency declared by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d).’’. 
(f) PROCUREMENT OF HEALTH-CARE ITEMS.—Sec-
tion 8127 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a) or (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a), (b), or 
(c)’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) The term ‘domestic preference statute’ has 
the meaning given such term in section 70923(f) of 
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the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public 
Law 117–58; 41 U.S.C. 8301 note).’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d), as 
amended, as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; 
and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing new subsection (c): 
‘‘(c)(1) The Secretary shall procure a health-care 
item for an All-Hazards Emergency Cache of the Depart-
ment in compliance with the domestic preference statutes. 
‘‘(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply if, during an emergency, the Secretary determines 
that procurement in compliance with the domestic pref-
erence statutes would threaten the health or safety of vet-
erans. 
‘‘(3) Not later than 30 days after procuring a health- 
care item pursuant to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Sen-
ate and House of Representatives a written notice. Such 
notice shall include— 
‘‘(A) an identification of the emergency; 
‘‘(B) an identification of the health-care item 
procured; 
‘‘(C) an estimate of the cost of such procure-
ment; and 
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‘‘(D) an explanation why the Secretary could 
not procure the health-care item in compliance with 
the domestic preference statutes. 
‘‘(4) Not later than November 1 of each year, the 
Secretary shall certify to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the Senate and House of Representatives whether 
the Secretary complied with the limitation under para-
graph (1) during the fiscal year that ended most re-
cently.’’. 
(g) SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND CON-
TROLLED
BY VETERANS: CONTRACTING GOALS
AND 
PREFERENCES.—Section 8127 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (m) as sub-
section (n); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (l) the fol-
lowing new subsection (m): 
‘‘(m) LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OR EXPENDITURE 
OF FUNDS.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
may not obligate or expend more than $50,000,000 for 
any agreement under this section unless funds for such 
agreement have been specifically authorized by law. 
‘‘(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply during— 
‘‘(A) a war declared by Congress; 
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‘‘(B) a case described in section 4(a)(1) of the 
War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148; 50 
U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)); 
‘‘(C) a national emergency declared by the 
President under the National Emergencies Act 
(Public Law 94–412; 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) a major disaster declared by the President 
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) if— 
‘‘(i) such agreement is to be carried out in 
a State affected by such major disaster; and 
‘‘(ii) a medical facility of the Department 
is affected by such major disaster; or 
‘‘(E) a public health emergency declared by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d).’’. 
(h) SHARING OF HEALTH-CARE RESOURCES.—Sec-
tion 8153 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(h)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
not obligate or expend more than $50,000,000 for any 
agreement under this section unless funds for such agree-
ment have been specifically authorized by law. 
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‘‘(2) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not 
apply during— 
‘‘(A) a war declared by Congress; 
‘‘(B) a case described in section 4(a)(1) of the 
War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148; 50 
U.S.C. 1543(a)(1)); 
‘‘(C) a national emergency declared by the 
President under the National Emergencies Act 
(Public Law 94–412; 50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) a major disaster declared by the President 
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) if— 
‘‘(i) such agreement is to be carried out in 
a State affected by such major disaster; and 
‘‘(ii) a medical facility of the Department 
is affected by such major disaster; or 
‘‘(E) a public health emergency declared by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under sec-
tion 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d).’’. 
SEC. 3. PROCUREMENT OF PROSTHETIC APPLIANCES AND 
SURGICAL IMPLANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8123 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows (and the table 
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of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 of such title 
is amended accordingly): 
‘‘§ 8123. Procurement of prosthetic appliances and 
surgical implants 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may procure pros-
thetic appliances and surgical implants by purchase, man-
ufacture, contract, or in such other manner that the Sec-
retary determines to be proper. 
‘‘(b) CATALOG.—(1) The Secretary shall maintain a 
catalog of prosthetic appliances and surgical implants that 
the Secretary procures by purchase or contract. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall coordinate with the Sec-
retary of Defense to ensure that such catalog requires the 
same data regarding a prosthetic appliance or surgical im-
plant that is required by the Defense Health Agency. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall implement a process by 
which a manufacturer of a prosthetic appliance or surgical 
implant may propose to the Secretary a proposed revision 
to such catalog (including with regards to form, size, gen-
eration, or model)— 
‘‘(A) by standardized and electronic means; 
‘‘(B) that minimizes the documentation re-
quired by such a manufacturer. 
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