Congressman Fong Votes to Fully Fund Veteran Healthcare and Invest in Vital Military Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, DC. –  Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) voted to pass H.R. 3944 - The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026, which makes critical investments in the healthcare of our veterans and our nation’s military infrastructure. H.R. 3944 provides a total of $152.091 billion in discretionary funding – an increase of nearly $5 billion (3%) over the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. Specifically, the legislation allocates $18 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD) military construction and family housing, and $452.64 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

“By fully funding health care and benefits for our nation’s veterans, in addition to investing in modern infrastructure and quality of life facilities for our servicemembers, this legislation underscores Congress’ unwavering commitment to those who have selflessly served our nation and those who currently wear America's uniform,” said Congressman Fong (CA-20). "I am proud to have successfully advocated for and secured vital funding in this initial package to improve our local military infrastructure, including a new state-of-the-art child development center at NAWS China Lake and a new F-35 Aircraft Maintenance Hanger NAS Lemoore. Our district is blessed to be home to many veterans, as well as active duty servicemembers who contribute to our national security. It is an honor to advocate for them here in Congress."

Within this bill, Congressman Fong secured the following provisions for California’s 20^th district:

Military Construction:

• Secured $8.9M to plan and design a new Child Development Center at NAWS China Lake.
• Secured $17M to plan and design a new F-35 Aircraft Maintenance Hanger at NAS Lemoore.
• Secured language that expresses support for continued investment in infrastructure at NAWS China Lake and directs the Navy to provide quarterly updates on how the Navy is addressing these issues.

Veterans Affairs:

Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Bakersfield, California (CBOC)

• Helped secure bill text that directs the Secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department to begin construction of the CBOC no later than September 30, 2026.
• Helped secure language directing the Secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department to provide monthly updates to the Committee on Appropriations on the status of the CBOC.
• Helped secure language directing the Secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department to provide a briefing to the Committee on Appropriations focused on lessons learned, additional steps the VA can take to complete the project, and recommendations on what Congress can do to ensure this never happens again. 

On Background:

H.R. 3944, The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026, will support military construction, family housing, VA medical care, and related agencies. Key investments include hundreds of global military construction projects, U.S. base housing, and childcare centers. It fully funds VA health, benefits, cemeteries, staffing, and IT systems while providing targeted resources for agencies like Arlington National Cemetery, the American Battle Monuments Commission, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home. View a summary here. Today’s vote is the first step toward H.R. 3944 becoming law, which now requires passage in the Senate.