Chairman Bost Statement on Ending Democrat Shutdown, MilCon/VA Bill Passage

Chairman Bost Statement on Ending Democrat Shutdown, MilCon/VA Bill Passage

Today, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), released the following statement after House Republicans sent a package of funding bills to President Trump's desk, including a continuing resolution (CR) to end the Democrat Shutdown, as well as legislation to fully fund the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Fiscal Year 2026.

"For 43 days Democrats played politics with the American people - including America's veterans and their families - and held the services they rely on to live their lives hostage. Paychecks missed, benefits in jeopardy, and worries about if they will be able to put food on the table or pay their bills - all for Democrats' own political posturing," said Chairman Bost. "However, with today's leadership by House and Senate Republicans we have sent a commonsense funding bill to President Trump's desk to reopen the government to ensure that veterans - and all Americans - can access the government services they may need," Chairman Bost continued. "We also sent a historic investment in VA to the president's desk. This budget reflects the end of the Biden-era control over veterans' care and benefits and will continue to protect veterans' constitutional rights. The fiscal year 2026 MilCon/VA funding bill places veterans back at the center of the mission and will ensure that we can continue to deliver care and benefits for the men and women who have served."

Chairman Bost fought for the following provisions which were included in the final FY26 MilCon/VA Appropriations bill:

Second Amendment Protections (Sec. 413) - Prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from submitting a veteran or beneficiary's name to the FBI's NICS list without a judge's consent that they are a danger to themselves or others, affording veterans with fiduciaries the due process rights they have earned.

Emergency Transportation Protections (Sec. 259) - Prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from cutting reimbursements for private ground and air ambulatory emergency transportation services in response to the following rule: "Changes in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation" (88 Fed. Reg. 10032), effectively protecting rural and remote veterans' access to lifesaving emergency care.