Womack Votes to Reopen Government and Three Full-Year Spending Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C.-November 12, 2025… Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted in support of legislation to reopen the government and fully fund the Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Veterans Affairs (VA), and several other government agencies for Fiscal Year 2026. Remaining federal government agencies will be funded through January 30, 2026.

The package also includes funding secured by Womack to establish an MRI unit at the Mercy Hospital in Berryville and to construct a new fire station in Pea Ridge.

Congressman Womack said, "Passing full-year appropriations bills is exactly what Congress should be doing; but we should have done it while the government was still funded, not after leaving Americans without a functioning government for over 40 days. I'm encouraged by the progress in this package but make no mistake, our job is not complete. The package delivers updated funding to respond to some of our nation's most pressing needs, supporting our veterans and agricultural producers. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and finish the job by passing the remaining nine full-year appropriations bills before the next deadline. We don't have much time, so let's get to work."

Bill highlights:

Invests in Northwest Arkansas by:

• Allocating $1.376 million for Mercy Hospital Berryville to establish an MRI unit.
• Allocating $2.75 million for the City of Pea Ridge to construct a new fire station.

Supports our veterans by:

• Fully funding veterans' health care programs.
• Fully funding veterans' benefits and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.
• Maintaining funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans.
• Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans, preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge's consent.
• Prohibiting funds for DEI, gender affirming care, and includes Hyde Amendment-like language to protect life at the VA.
• Prohibiting the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

• Providing robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region and infrastructure necessary to support United States advanced weapons systems.
• Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.
• Prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People's Republic of China.

Supports U.S. farmers, agriculture, and rural communities by:

• Extending key Farm Bill programs and authorities not included in the Working Families Tax Cut.

Prioritizes healthcare by:

• Reauthorizing the Community Health Center Fund through January 30, 2026, which serves undeserved communities.
• Extending funding for diabetes research through January 30, 2026
• Extending access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries through January 30, 2026

The bill text is available HERE.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas's Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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