H.R. 3944

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · June 12, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Carter of Texas

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes, namely:

SEC. 101.

None of the funds made available in this title shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for construction, where cost estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor.

SEC. 102.

Funds made available in this title for construction shall be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles.

SEC. 103.

Funds made available in this title for construction may be used for advances to the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, for the construction of access roads as authorized by section 210 of title 23, United States Code, when projects authorized therein are certified as important to the national defense by the Secretary of Defense.

SEC. 104.

None of the funds made available in this title may be used to begin construction of new bases in the United States for which specific appropriations have not been made.

SEC. 105.

None of the funds made available in this title shall be used for purchase of land or land easements in excess of 100 percent of the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, except: (1) where there is a determination of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public interest.

SEC. 106.

None of the funds made available in this title shall be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site preparation; or (3) install utilities for any family housing, except housing for which funds have been made available in annual Acts making appropriations for military construction.

SEC. 107.

None of the funds made available in this title for minor construction may be used to transfer or relocate any activity from one base or installation to another, without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

SEC. 108.

None of the funds made available in this title may be used for the procurement of steel for any construction project or activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete for such steel procurement.

SEC. 109.

None of the funds available to the Department of Defense for military construction or family housing during the current fiscal year may be used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation.

SEC. 110.

None of the funds made available in this title may be used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

SEC. 111.

None of the funds made available in this title may be obligated for architect and engineer contracts estimated by the Government to exceed $500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, unless such contracts are awarded to United States firms or United States firms in joint venture with host nation firms.

SEC. 112.

None of the funds made available in this title for military construction in the United States territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, may be used to award any contract estimated by the Government to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: That this section shall not be applicable to contract awards for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a United States contractor exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a foreign contractor by greater than 20 percent: That this section shall not apply to contract awards for military construction on Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid is submitted by a Marshallese contractor.

SEC. 113.

The Secretary of Defense shall inform the appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, including the Committees on Appropriations, of plans and scope of any proposed military exercise involving United States personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, if amounts expended for construction, either temporary or permanent, are anticipated to exceed $100,000.

SEC. 114.

Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for construction in prior years shall be available for construction authorized for each such military department by the authorizations enacted into law during the current session of Congress.

SEC. 115.

For military construction or family housing projects that are being completed with funds otherwise expired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds may be used to pay the cost of associated supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and design on those projects and on subsequent claims, if any.

SEC. 116.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds made available to a military department or defense agency for the construction of military projects may be obligated for a military construction project or contract, or for any portion of such a project or contract, at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after the fiscal year for which funds for such project were made available, if the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from funds available for military construction projects; and (2) do not exceed the amount appropriated for such project, plus any amount by which the cost of such project is increased pursuant to law.

SEC. 117.

Subject to 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such additional amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to: (1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction in accounts, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; or (2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction of military unaccompanied housing in accounts, to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: That appropriations made available to the Funds shall be available to cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the Department of Defense pursuant to the provisions of subchapter IV of of title 10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative means of acquiring and improving military family housing, military unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities. "Family Housing" "Military Construction" (chapter 169)

SEC. 118.

In addition to any other transfer authority available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be transferred from the Department of Defense Base Closure Account to the fund established by section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 3374; 42 U.S.C. 3374(a)(1)(A)) to pay for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program incurred under . Any amounts transferred shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes and for the same time period as the fund to which transferred.

SEC. 119.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds made available in this title for operation and maintenance of family housing shall be the exclusive source of funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing units, including general or flag officer quarters: That not more than $20,000 per unit may be spent annually for the maintenance and repair of any general or flag officer quarters without 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, except that an after-the-fact notification shall be submitted if the limitation is exceeded solely due to costs associated with environmental remediation that could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of the budget submission: That the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is to report annually to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress all operation and maintenance expenditures for each individual general or flag officer quarters for the prior fiscal year.

SEC. 120.

Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement Account established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of title 10, United States Code, are appropriated and shall be available until expended for the purposes specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until transferred pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.

SEC. 121.

During the 5-year period after appropriations available in this Act to the Department of Defense for military construction and family housing operation and maintenance and construction have expired for obligation, upon a determination that such appropriations will not be necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obligations incurred during the period of availability of such appropriations, unobligated balances of such appropriations may be transferred into the appropriation , to be merged with and to be available for the same time period and for the same purposes as the appropriation to which transferred. "Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense"

SEC. 122.

Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in an account funded under the headings in this title may be transferred among projects and activities within the account in accordance with the reprogramming guidelines for military construction and family housing construction contained in Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation 7000.14–R, Volume 3, Chapter 7, of 2021, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 123.

None of the funds made available in this title may be obligated or expended for planning and design and construction of projects at Arlington National Cemetery.

SEC. 124.

For an additional amount for the accounts and in the amounts specified, to remain available until September 30, 2030:

SEC. 125.

All amounts appropriated to the , , , and accounts pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in a National Defense Authorization Act specified for fiscal year 2026 in the funding table in section 4601 of that Act shall be immediately available and allotted to contract for the full scope of authorized projects. "Department of Defense—Military Construction, Army" "Department of Defense—Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps" "Department of Defense—Military Construction, Air Force" "Department of Defense—Military Construction, Defense-Wide"

SEC. 126.

Notwithstanding section 116 of this Act, funds made available in this Act or any available unobligated balances from prior appropriations Acts may be obligated before October 1, 2027, for fiscal year 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 military construction projects for which project authorization has not lapsed or for which authorization is extended for fiscal year 2026 by a National Defense Authorization Act: That no amounts may be obligated pursuant to this section from amounts that were designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

SEC. 127.

For the purposes of this Act, the term congressional defense committees means the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 128.

For an additional amount for the accounts and in the amounts specified for planning and design and for construction improvements to Department of Defense laboratory facilities, to remain available until September 30, 2030:

SEC. 129.

For an additional amount for the accounts and in the amounts specified for planning and design, for child development centers, to remain available until September 30, 2030:

SEC. 130.

For an additional amount for the accounts and amounts specified for planning and design, for barracks, to remain available until September 30, 2030:

SEC. 131.

For an additional amount for the accounts and in the amounts specified for unspecified minor construction for demolition, to remain available until September 30, 2029:

SEC. 132.

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to carry out the closure or realignment of the United States Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

SEC. 201.

Any appropriation for fiscal year 2026 for , , and may be transferred as necessary to any other of the mentioned appropriations: That, before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and such Committees issue an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed. "Compensation and Pensions" "Readjustment Benefits" "Veterans Insurance and Indemnities"

SEC. 202.

Amounts made available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026, in this or any other Act, under the , , , and accounts may be transferred among the accounts: That any transfers among the , , and accounts of 1 percent or less of the total amount appropriated to the account in this or any other Act may take place subject to notification from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the amount and purpose of the transfer: That any transfers among the , , and accounts in excess of 1 percent, or exceeding the cumulative 1 percent for the fiscal year, may take place only after the Secretary requests from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued: That any transfers to or from the account may take place only after the Secretary requests from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued. "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care" "Medical Support and Compliance" "Medical Facilities" "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care" "Medical Support and Compliance" "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care" "Medical Support and Compliance" "Medical Facilities"

SEC. 203.

Appropriations available in this title for salaries and expenses shall be available for services authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or land or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as authorized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 204.

No appropriations in this title (except the appropriations for , and ) shall be available for the purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home. "Construction, Major Projects" "Construction, Minor Projects"

SEC. 205.

No appropriations in this title shall be available for hospitalization or examination of any persons (except beneficiaries entitled to such hospitalization or examination under the laws providing such benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such treatment under sections 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States Code, or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reimbursement of the cost of such hospitalization or examination is made to the account at such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. "Medical Services"

SEC. 206.

Appropriations available in this title for , , and shall be available for payment of prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 2025. "Compensation and Pensions" "Readjustment Benefits" "Veterans Insurance and Indemnities"

SEC. 207.

Appropriations available in this title shall be available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts they shall be payable only from . "Compensation and Pensions"

SEC. 208.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during fiscal year 2026, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund under section 1920 of title 38, United States Code, the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund under section 1923 of title 38, United States Code, and the United States Government Life Insurance Fund under section 1955 of title 38, United States Code, reimburse the and accounts for the cost of administration of the insurance programs financed through those accounts: That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus earnings accumulated in such an insurance program during fiscal year 2025 that are available for dividends in that program after claims have been paid and actuarially determined reserves have been set aside: That if the cost of administration of such an insurance program exceeds the amount of surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement shall be made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: That the Secretary shall determine the cost of administration for fiscal year 2025 which is properly allocable to the provision of each such insurance program and to the provision of any total disability income insurance included in that insurance program. "General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration" "Information Technology Systems"

SEC. 209.

Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds to reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account during a prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease services shall be available until expended.

SEC. 210.

Funds available in this title or funds for salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management, the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution function within the Office of Human Resources and Administration for all services provided at rates which will recover actual costs but not to exceed $134,343,000 for the Office of Resolution Management, $7,607,000 for the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, and $7,686,000 for the Alternative Dispute Resolution function within the Office of Human Resources and Administration: That payments may be made in advance for services to be furnished based on estimated costs: That amounts received shall be credited to the and accounts for use by the office that provided the service. "General Administration" "Information Technology Systems"

SEC. 211.

No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services provided to any person under of title 38, United States Code, for a non-service-connected disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of such title, unless that person has disclosed to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement information for purposes of section 1729 of such title: That the Secretary may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the United States, the reasonable charges for such care or services from any person who does not make such disclosure as required: That any amounts so recovered for care or services provided in a prior fiscal year may be obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal year in which amounts are received. (chapter 17)

SEC. 212.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, proceeds or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing activities (including disposal) may be deposited into the and accounts and be used for construction (including site acquisition and disposition), alterations, and improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums as realized are in addition to the amount provided for in and . "Construction, Major Projects" "Construction, Minor Projects" "Construction, Major Projects" "Construction, Minor Projects"

SEC. 213.

Amounts made available under are available— "Medical Services" (1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and equipment; and

(2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries receiving care in the Department.

SEC. 214.

Such sums as may be deposited into the Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to the and accounts to remain available until expended for the purposes of these accounts. "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care"

SEC. 215.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers in the State of Alaska and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations which are party to the Alaska Native Health Compact with the Indian Health Service, to provide healthcare, including behavioral health and dental care, to veterans in rural Alaska. The Secretary shall require participating veterans and facilities to comply with all appropriate rules and regulations, as established by the Secretary. The term shall mean those lands which are not within the boundaries of the municipality of Anchorage or the Fairbanks North Star Borough. rural Alaska

SEC. 216.

Such sums as may be deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to section 8118 of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to the and accounts, to remain available until expended for the purposes of these accounts. "Construction, Major Projects" "Construction, Minor Projects"

SEC. 217.

Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on the financial status of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the preceding quarter: That, at a minimum, the report shall include the direction contained in the paragraph entitled , under the heading in the joint explanatory statement accompanying . "Quarterly reporting" "General Administration" (Public Law 114–223)

SEC. 218.

Amounts made available under the , , , , , , , and accounts for fiscal year 2026 may be transferred to or from the account: That such transfers may not result in a more than 10 percent aggregate increase in the total amount made available by this Act for the account: That, before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued. "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care" "Medical Support and Compliance" "Medical Facilities" "General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration" "Board of Veterans Appeals" "General Administration" "National Cemetery Administration" "Information Technology Systems" "Information Technology Systems"

SEC. 219.

Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026 for , , , , , and , up to $654,954,000, plus reimbursements, may be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (; 123 Stat. 2571) and may be used for operation of the facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (; 122 Stat. 4500): That additional funds may be transferred from accounts designated in this section to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon written notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: That section 220 of title II of division A of , as continued by division A of is repealed. "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care" "Medical Support and Compliance" "Medical Facilities" "Construction, Minor Projects" "Information Technology Systems" (Public Law 111–84; Public Law 110–417; Public Law 118–42; Public Law 119–4)

SEC. 220.

Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs which become available on October 1, 2026, for , , , and , up to $739,918,000, plus reimbursements, may be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (; 123 Stat. 2571) and may be used for operation of the facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (; 122 Stat. 4500): That additional funds may be transferred from accounts designated in this section to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon written notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care" "Medical Support and Compliance" "Medical Facilities" (Public Law 111–84; Public Law 110–417)

SEC. 221.

Such sums as may be deposited into the Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States Code, for healthcare provided at facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (; 122 Stat. 4500) shall also be available: (1) for transfer to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (; 123 Stat. 2571); and (2) for operations of the facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (; 122 Stat. 4500): That, notwithstanding section 1704(b)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (; 123 Stat. 2573), amounts transferred to the Joint Department of Defense—Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund shall remain available until expended. (Public Law 110–417; Public Law 111–84; Public Law 110–417; Public Law 111–84)

SEC. 222.

Of the amounts available in this title for , , , and , a minimum of $15,000,000 shall be transferred to the DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 8111(d) of title 38, United States Code, to remain available until expended, for any purpose authorized by section 8111 of title 38, United States Code. "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care" "Medical Support and Compliance" "Medical Facilities"

SEC. 223.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of all bid savings in a major construction project that total at least $5,000,000, or 5 percent of the programmed amount of the project, whichever is less: That such notification shall occur within 14 days of a contract identifying the programmed amount: That the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 14 days prior to the obligation of such bid savings and shall describe the anticipated use of such savings.

SEC. 224.

None of the funds made available for may be used for a project in excess of the scope specified for that project in the original justification data provided to the Congress as part of the request for appropriations unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives approval from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. "Construction, Major Projects"

SEC. 225.

Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly report containing performance measures and data from each Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office: That, at a minimum, the report shall include the direction contained in the section entitled , under the heading in the joint explanatory statement accompanying : That the report shall also include information on the number of appeals pending at the Veterans Benefits Administration as well as the Board of Veterans Appeals on a quarterly basis. "Disability claims backlog" "General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration" (Public Law 114–223)

SEC. 226.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide written notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 15 days prior to organizational changes which result in the transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalents from one organizational unit of the Department of Veterans Affairs to another.

SEC. 227.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide on a quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress notification of any single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign in which obligations exceed $1,000,000.

SEC. 228.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon determination that such action is necessary to address needs of the Veterans Health Administration, may transfer to the account any discretionary appropriations made available for fiscal year 2026 in this title (except appropriations made to the account) or any discretionary unobligated balances within the Department of Veterans Affairs, including those appropriated for fiscal year 2026, that were provided in advance by appropriations Acts: That transfers shall be made only with the approval of the Office of Management and Budget: That the transfer authority provided in this section is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by law: That no amounts may be transferred from amounts that were designated by Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: That such authority to transfer may not be used unless for higher priority items, based on emergent healthcare requirements, than those for which originally appropriated and in no case where the item for which funds are requested has been denied by Congress: That, upon determination that all or part of the funds transferred from an appropriation are not necessary, such amounts may be transferred back to that appropriation and shall be available for the same purposes as originally appropriated: That before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and receive approval of that request. "Medical Services" "General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration"

SEC. 229.

Amounts made available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2026, under the and the accounts may be transferred between such accounts: That before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and receive approval of that request. "Board of Veterans Appeals" "General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration"

SEC. 230.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not reprogram funds among major construction projects or programs if such instance of reprogramming will exceed $7,000,000, unless such reprogramming is approved by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

SEC. 231.

(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 includes— Executive action (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.

SEC. 232.

Effective during the period beginning on October 1, 2018, and ending on January 1, 2026, none of the funds made available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by this or any other Act may be obligated or expended in contravention of the published on May 10, 2017, as issued by the Veterans Health Administration National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. "Veterans Health Administration Clinical Preventive Services Guidance Statement on the Veterans Health Administration’s Screening for Breast Cancer Guidance"

SEC. 233.

(a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the account may be used to provide— "Medical Services" (1) fertility counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technology to a covered veteran or the spouse of a covered veteran; or

(2) adoption reimbursement to a covered veteran.

(b)

In this section: (1) The term service-connected has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

(2) The term covered veteran means a veteran, as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code, who has a service-connected disability that results in the inability of the veteran to procreate without the use of fertility treatment.

(3) The term assisted reproductive technology means benefits relating to reproductive assistance provided to a member of the Armed Forces who incurs a serious injury or illness on active duty pursuant to section 1074(c)(4)(A) of title 10, United States Code, as described in the memorandum on the subject of issued by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on April 3, 2012, and the guidance issued to implement such policy, including any limitations on the amount of such benefits available to such a member except that— "Policy for Assisted Reproductive Services for the Benefit of Seriously or Severely Ill/Injured (Category II or III) Active Duty Service Members" (A) the time periods regarding embryo cryopreservation and storage set forth in part III(G) and in part IV(H) of such memorandum shall not apply; and (B) such term includes embryo cryopreservation and storage without limitation on the duration of such cryopreservation and storage.

(4) The term adoption reimbursement means reimbursement for the adoption-related expenses for an adoption that is finalized after the date of the enactment of this Act under the same terms as apply under the adoption reimbursement program of the Department of Defense, as authorized in Department of Defense Instruction 1341.09, including the reimbursement limits and requirements set forth in such instruction.

(c)

Amounts made available for the purposes specified in subsection (a) of this section are subject to the requirements for funds contained in section 508 of division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141).

SEC. 234.

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act or any other Act for the Department of Veterans Affairs may be used in a manner that is inconsistent with: (1) section 842 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (; 119 Stat. 2506); or (2) section 8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code. (Public Law 109–115)

SEC. 235.

Section 842 of shall not apply to conversion of an activity or function of the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, or National Cemetery Administration to contractor performance by a business concern that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more Indian Tribes as defined in section 5304(e) of title 25, United States Code, or one or more Native Hawaiian Organizations as defined in section 637(a)(15) of title 15, United States Code. (Public Law 109–115)

SEC. 236.

(a)

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor, shall discontinue using Social Security account numbers to authenticate individuals in all information systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs for all individuals not later than September 30, 2026:

(b)

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may collect and use a Social Security account number to identify an individual, in accordance with section 552a of title 5, United States Code, in an information system of the Department of Veterans Affairs if and only if the use of such number is necessary to: (1) obtain or provide information the Secretary requires from an information system that is not under the jurisdiction of the Secretary;

(2) comply with a law, regulation, or court order;

(3) perform anti-fraud activities; or

(4) identify a specific individual where no adequate substitute is available.

(c)

The matter in subsections (a) and (b) shall supersede section 237 of division J of . (Public Law 117–328)

SEC. 237.

For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 for , section 239 of division A of shall apply. "Medical Services" (Public Law 114–223)

SEC. 238.

None of the funds appropriated in this or prior appropriations Acts or otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs may be used to transfer any amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to any other account within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 239.

Of the funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 for , funds may be used in each year to carry out and expand the child care program authorized by section 205 of , notwithstanding subsection (e) of such section. "Medical Services" (Public Law 111–163)

SEC. 240.

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this title may be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement related to resolving a dispute or claim with an individual that would restrict in any way the individual from speaking to members of Congress or their staff on any topic not otherwise prohibited from disclosure by Federal law or required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs.

SEC. 241.

For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, section 258 of division A of shall apply. (Public Law 114–223)

SEC. 242.

(a)

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to deny an Inspector General funded under this Act timely access to any records, documents, or other materials available to the department or agency over which that Inspector General has responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), or to prevent or impede the access of the Inspector General to such records, documents, or other materials, under any provision of law, except a provision of law that expressly refers to such Inspector General and expressly limits the right of access.

(b)

A department or agency covered by this section shall provide its Inspector General access to all records, documents, and other materials in a timely manner.

(c)

Each Inspector General shall ensure compliance with statutory limitations on disclosure relevant to the information provided by the establishment over which that Inspector General has responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).

(d)

Each Inspector General covered by this section shall report to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives within 5 calendar days of any failure by any department or agency covered by this section to comply with this requirement.

SEC. 243.

None of the funds made available in this Act may be used in a manner that would increase wait times for veterans who seek care at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 244.

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to the Veterans Health Administration may be used in fiscal year 2026 to convert any program which received specific purpose funds in fiscal year 2025 to a general purpose funded program unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits written notification of any such proposal to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days prior to any such action and an approval is issued by the Committees.

SEC. 245.

For funds provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs for each of fiscal year 2026 and 2027, section 248 of division A of shall apply. (Public Law 114–223)

SEC. 246.

(a)

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to conduct research commencing on or after July 1, 2025, that uses any canine, feline, or non-human primate unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approves such research specifically and in writing pursuant to subsection (b).

(b)

(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may approve the conduct of research commencing on or after July 1, 2025, using canines, felines, or non-human primates if the Secretary certifies that— (A) the scientific objectives of the research can only be met by using such canines, felines, or non-human primates and cannot be met using other animal models, in vitro models, computational models, human clinical studies, or other research alternatives; (B) such scientific objectives are necessary to advance research benefiting veterans and are directly related to an illness or injury that is combat-related as defined by ; (10 U.S.C. 1413(e)) (C) the research is consistent with the revised Department of Veterans Affairs canine research policy document dated December 15, 2017, including any subsequent revisions to such document; and (D) ethical considerations regarding minimizing the harm experienced by canines, felines, or non-human primates are included in evaluating the scientific necessity of the research.

(2) The Secretary may not delegate the authority under this subsection.

(c)

If the Secretary approves any new research pursuant to subsection (b), not later than 30 days before the commencement of such research, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives a report describing— (1) the nature of the research to be conducted using canines, felines, or non-human primates;

(2) the date on which the Secretary approved the research

(3) the USDA pain category on the approved use

(4) the justification for the determination of the Secretary that the scientific objectives of such research could only be met using canines, felines, or non-human primates, and methods used to make such determination;

(5) the frequency and duration of such research; and

(6) the protocols in place to ensure the necessity, safety, and efficacy of the research, and animal welfare.

(d)

Not later than December 31, 2025, and biannually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to such Committees a report describing— (1) any research being conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs using canines, felines, or non-human primates as of the date of the submittal of the report;

(2) the circumstances under which such research was conducted using canines, felines, or non-human primates;

(3) the justification for using canines, felines, or non-human primates to conduct such research;

(4) the protocols in place to ensure the necessity, safety, and efficacy of such research; and

(5) the development and adoption of alternatives to canines, felines, or non-human primates research.

(e)

Not later than December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Department of Veterans Affairs must submit to voluntary U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections of canine, feline, and non-human primate research facilities.

(f)

Not later than December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to such Committees a report describing — (1) any violations of the Animal Welfare Act, the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, or other Department of Veterans Affairs policies related to oversight of animal research found during that quarter in VA research facilities;

(2) immediate corrective actions taken; and

(3) specific actions taken to prevent their recurrence.

(g)

The Department shall implement a plan under which the Secretary will eliminate the research conducted using canines, felines, or non-human primates by not later than September 20, 2026.

SEC. 247.

(a)

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in this title to ensure that the ratio of veterans to full-time employment equivalents within any program of rehabilitation conducted under of title 38, United States Code, does not exceed 125 veterans to one full-time employment equivalent. (chapter 31)

(b)

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the programs of rehabilitation conducted under of title 38, United States Code, including— (chapter 31) (1) an assessment of the veteran-to-staff ratio for each such program; and

(2) recommendations for such action as the Secretary considers necessary to reduce the veteran-to-staff ratio for each such program.

SEC. 248.

Amounts made available for the account in this or any other Act for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 may be used for expenses that would otherwise be payable from the Veterans Choice Fund established by section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, as amended ( note). "Veterans Health Administration, Medical Community Care" (38 U.S.C. 1701)

SEC. 249.

Obligations and expenditures applicable to the account in fiscal years 2017 through 2019 for aid to state homes (as authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States Code) shall remain in the account for such fiscal years. "Medical Services" "Medical Community Care"

SEC. 250.

Of the amounts made available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2024, in this or any other Act, under the , , , and accounts, $1,323,444,000 shall be made available for gender-specific care and programmatic efforts to deliver care for women veterans. "Veterans Health Administration—Medical Services" "Veterans Health Administration—Medical Community Care" "Veterans Health Administration—Medical Support and Compliance" "Veterans Health Administration—Medical Facilities"

SEC. 251.

Notwithstanding any other law, unless prevented by an order issued by a federal or state court, by no later than September 30, 2026, the Secretary shall commence construction of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Bakersfield, California authorized in section 1(a)(3) of and in accordance with Lease No.36C10F20L0008 or successor lease. (Public Law 111–82)

SEC. 252.

Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly report on the status of the , established to execute section 8002 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2): That, at a minimum, the report shall include an update on obligations by program, project or activity and a plan for expending the remaining funds. "Veterans Medical Care and Health Fund"

SEC. 253.

Any amounts transferred to the Secretary and administered by a corporation referred to in section 7364(b) of title 38, United States Code, between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019 for purposes of carrying out an order placed with the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section 1535 of title 31, United States Code, that are available for obligation pursuant to section 7364(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, are to remain available for the liquidation of valid obligations incurred by such corporation during the period of performance of such order, provided that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that such amounts need to remain available for such liquidation.

SEC. 254.

Unobligated balances available under the headings and may be obligated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a facility pursuant to section 2(e)(1) of the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (; note), as amended, to provide additional funds or to fund an escalation clause under such section of such Act: That before such unobligated balances are obligated pursuant to this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to obligate such unobligated balances and such Committees issue an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed: That the request to obligate such unobligated balances must provide Congress notice that the entity described in section 2(a)(2) of , as amended, has exhausted available cost containment approaches as set forth in the agreement under section 2(c) of such Public Law. "Construction, Major Projects" "Construction, Minor Projects" (Public Law 114–294; 38 U.S.C. 8103; Public Law 114–294)

SEC. 255.

(a)

None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to implement, administer, or otherwise carry out the Department of Veterans Affairs interim final rule published on September 9, 2022, or any successor to such rule, or to propose, promulgate, or implement any substantially similar rule or policy.

(b)

None of the funds appropriated in this Act shall be expended for any abortion, including through a medical benefits package or health benefits program that includes coverage of abortion.

(c)

The limitations established in subsection (b) shall not apply to an abortion— (1) if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest; or

(2) in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself, that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed.

SEC. 256.

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for surgical procedures or hormone therapies for the purposes of gender affirming care.

SEC. 257.

During the period beginning on October 1, 2025 and ending on September 30, 2026, none of the funds made available by this Act may be used to administer, implement, or enforce the final rule issued by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to (88 Fed. Reg. 10032) and published on February 16, 2023. "Change in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation"

SEC. 258.

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to carry out VHA Directive 1193.01, . "Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Program for Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel"

SEC. 259.

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to provide any services to any individual unlawfully present in the United States who is not eligible for health care under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 260.

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 5502 of title 38, United States Code, in any case arising out of the administration by the Secretary of laws and benefits under such title, to report a person who is deemed mentally incapacitated, mentally incompetent, or to be experiencing an extended loss of consciousness as a person who has been adjudicated as a mental defective under subjection (d)(4) or (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, without the order or finding a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

SEC. 261.

Of the unobligated balances from amounts made available under the heading from prior appropriations Acts, including any funds transferred from the Medical Care Collections Fund to accounts under such heading, $15,889,000,000 is hereby permanently rescinded: That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were provided under the heading or amounts that were designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a plan for rescinding amounts pursuant to this section not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. "Veterans Health Administration" "Medical and Prosthetic Research"

SEC. 301.

Amounts deposited into the special account established under 10 U.S.C. 7727 are appropriated and shall be available until expended to support activities at the Army National Military Cemeteries.

SEC. 401.

No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.

SEC. 402.

None of the funds made available in this Act may be used for any program, project, or activity, when it is made known to the Federal entity or official to which the funds are made available that the program, project, or activity is not in compliance with any Federal law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates.

SEC. 403.

All departments and agencies funded under this Act are encouraged, within the limits of the existing statutory authorities and funding, to expand their use of technologies and procedures in the conduct of their business practices and public service activities. "E-Commerce"

SEC. 404.

Unless stated otherwise, all reports and notifications required by this Act shall be submitted to the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

SEC. 405.

None of the funds made available in this Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this or any other appropriations Act.

SEC. 406.

None of the funds made available in this Act may be used for a project or program named for an individual serving as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the United States House of Representatives.

SEC. 407.

(a)

Any agency receiving funds made available in this Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), post on the public Web site of that agency any report required to be submitted by the Congress in this or any other Act, upon the determination by the head of the agency that it shall serve the national interest.

(b)

Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if— (1) the public posting of the report compromises national security; or

(2) the report contains confidential or proprietary information.

(c)

The head of the agency posting such report shall do so only after such report has been made available to the requesting Committee or Committees of Congress for no less than 30days.

SEC. 408.

(a)

None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.

(b)

Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities.

SEC. 409.

None of the funds made available in this Act may be used by an agency of the executive branch to pay for first-class travel by an employee of the agency in contravention of sections 301–10.122 through 301–10.124 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 410.

None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to execute a contract for goods or services, including construction services, where the contractor has not complied with Executive Order No. 12989.

SEC. 411.

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of section 101(e)(8) of title 10, United States Code.

SEC. 412.

(a) In general

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense in this Act may be used to construct, renovate, or expand any facility in the United States, its territories, or possessions to house any individual detained at United States Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or under the control of the Department of Defense.

(b)

The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to any modification of facilities at United States Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

(c)

An individual described in this subsection is any individual who, as of June 24, 2009, is located at United States Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and who— (1) is not a citizen of the United States or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and

(2) is— (A) in the custody or under the effective control of the Department of Defense; or (B) otherwise under detention at United States Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

SEC. 413.

None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used in any way, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional action on any legislation or appropriation matter pending before Congress, other than to communicate to Members of Congress as described in . (18 U.S.C. 1913)

SEC. 414.

For an additional amount for the , $1,500,000, to remain available until expended, for the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the prevalence and mortality of cancers among individuals who served as active-duty aircrew in the Armed Forces: That the panel or panels established by the National Academies Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct the study shall identify exposures associated with military occupations of covered individuals, including relating to chemicals, compounds, agents, and other phenomena: the study shall review the literature to determine associations between exposures and the incidence of overall cancer morbidity, cancer mortality and increased prevalence of brain cancer, colon and rectal cancers, kidney cancer, lung cancer, melanoma skin cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, urinary bladder cancer and any other cancers determined appropriate by the Department of Veterans Affairs: That not later than eighteen months after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall submit its report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Congress of its systematic review and data analysis of the research topics. "Office of the Secretary"

SEC. 415.

There is hereby appropriated $1,500,000, to remain available until expended, for a pilot program for the Secretary to partner with a private laboratory to utilize Forensic Genetic Genealogy sequencing technology to identify the remains of fallen soldiers buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

SEC. 416.

(a)

None of the funds appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Veterans Affairs may be obligated, awarded, or expended to procure or purchase covered information technology equipment in cases where the manufacturer, bidder, or offeror, or any subsidiary or parent entity of the manufacturer, bidder, or offeror, of the equipment is an entity or parent company of an entity listed on any of the following: (1) The Chinese Military Company List of the Department of Defense.

(2) The Non-SDN Chinese Military Industrial Complex Companies List of the Department of the Treasury.

(3) The Denied Persons List, Entity List, or Military End User List of the Department of Commerce, if the entity is— (A) an agency or instrumentality of the People’s Republic of China; (B) an entity headquartered in the People’s Republic of China; or (C) directly or indirectly owned or controlled by an agency, instrumentality, or entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B).

(4) The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List of the Department of Homeland Security.

(b)

The prohibition under subsection (a) shall apply to a case in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has entered into a contract with a non-Department entity for the procurement or purchase of, or the expenditure of funds on, covered information technology equipment.

(c)

In this section, the term — "covered information technology equipment" (1) means a computer, printer, or interoperable videoconferencing equipment for direct use by employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs in an office environment; and

(2) does not include services that use such equipment, including cloud services.

SEC. 417.

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used to— (1) Classify or facilitate the classification of any communications by a United States person as a mis-, dis-, or mal-information; or

(2) Partner with or fund nonprofit or other private organizations that in any way instruct, influence, direct, or recommend that private companies in any way censor, prohibit, or obstruct lawful and constitutionally protected speech of United States persons, including recommending the censoring or removal of content on social media platforms.

SEC. 418.

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that the policies and requirements described in the transmittal sheet of the Veterans Health Administration published on August 8, 2019, titled remain in effect. "Smoke-Free Policy for Employees at VA Health Care Facilities (VHA Directive 1085.01)"

SEC. 419.

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to reduce the staffing, hours of operation, or services of the Veterans Crisis Line or any other suicide prevention program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 420.

$0.