Gluesenkamp Perez Statement on House Passage of MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill

Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) released the following statement after she voted last week with her bipartisan colleagues to pass the FY26 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R.3944):

“Our veterans and servicemembers put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms – and we not only owe them gratitude, but also action.

Today, I voted with my bipartisan colleagues to pass funding legislation that respects our veterans’ sacrifices by funding essential services they rely on.

This bill funds veterans’ healthcare by $4 billion more than last year – and it provides more than $52 billion, in addition to advanced funding I advocated for in committee, to care for those affected by toxic exposure.

It builds military childcare centers and family housing, enables critical medical research, and combats veteran homelessness and addiction.

It also addresses the long-overlooked need to offer medical companions to veterans who otherwise may not have a caretaker available for a procedure.

I look forward to the Senate taking the opportunity to continue to improve the bill – to ensure every veteran in Southwest Washington and across the country can access the care they’re promised.”

This month, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez voted on the House Appropriations Committee to pass the legislation. The Congresswoman also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve rural veterans’ access to disability claim exams.

This year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez again urged the VA to reopen a clinic in Lewis County, and she introduced bipartisan legislation to expand eligibility for rural veterans across Southwest Washington to get transportation to VA health facilities.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s bipartisan team is eager to help Southwest Washington veterans with federal agencies and has already recovered more than $542,000 for constituents owed to them by the VA. She encourages those in need of assistance to contact her online, by phone at (360) 695-6292, or by visiting her Vancouver or Kelso offices.