H.R. 8469

Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: John R. Carter · 0 cosponsors

Follow this bill

Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027

This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and related agencies.

The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military construction for

  • the Army;
  • the Navy and Marine Corps;
  • the Air Force;
  • Defense-wide agencies and activities;
  • the Army and Air National Guard; and
  • the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves.

The bill also provides appropriations to DOD for

  • the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program;
  • the Base Closure Account;
  • Construction and Operation and Maintenance of Family Housing for the Army, the Navy and Marine Corps, the Air Force, and Defense-wide agencies and activities;
  • the Family Housing Improvement Fund; and
  • the Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund.

Within the VA budget, the bill provides appropriations for

  • the Veterans Benefits Administration,
  • the Veterans Health Administration,
  • the National Cemetery Administration,
  • Departmental Administration, and
  • the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund.

The bill provides appropriations for related agencies and programs, including

  • the American Battle Monuments Commission,
  • the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims,
  • Cemeterial Expenses of the Army, and
  • the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts. 

Text of the bill

Expand all

I DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

II

Sec. 232. Since introduced

(a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the toll-free suicide hotline under section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code—

(1) provides to individuals who contact the hotline 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 position 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 memorandum, or other action by the President; and

(ii) any agency policy, order, or other directive.

(c)

(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of the hotline specified in subsection (a) during the 5-year period beginning on January 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 contact the hotline specified in subsection (a) and who receive follow up services from the hotline or mental health services from the Department of Veterans Affairs thereafter;

(B) determine the number of veterans who contact the hotline who are not referred to, or do not continue receiving, mental health care who commit suicide; and

(C) determine the number of veterans described in subparagraph (A) who commit or attempt suicide.

III

IV