WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) released the below statement following the passage of H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 209-197. This legislation fully funds Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care programs and benefits and provides robust funding for military construction projects through the Department of Defense (DoD). Importantly, this bill appropriates $400 million dollars more than the President’s Budget Request.

“In Congress, I’m working hard to ensure our active-duty military members have a quality of life they deserve, and our veterans have the resources they need to lead successful, healthy lives when they come home,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “That’s why I voted in favor of this legislation to fully fund VA health care and benefits and support crucial military construction projects for our troops. 

“I’m proud to have personally secured funding in this bill to build new unaccompanied housing and a child development center at Naval Air Station Oceana as well as a child development center at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story. Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for our country and their families serve alongside them…it’s our responsibility to provide them and with a quality of life deserving of their service and sacrifice.

“As a third-generation veteran, wife of a veteran, and mother of future veterans, I’m honored to represent one of the largest veteran populations in the country. It is only right to fully fund the care and benefits they earned by answering this call to serve. By fully funding veterans’ healthcare and investing in quality-of-life improvements such as housing and childcare, we are upholding our sacred promise to support those who have served and those who are currently serving. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to join us in this effort and look forward to getting this important legislation across the finish line.”

Specifically, Congresswoman Kiggans secured funding for the following projects in the Hampton Roads community:

• $16 million for unaccompanied housing at NAS Oceana.
• $2 million for a 20,139 square foot Child Development Center at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story.
• $2 million for a Child Development Center at NAS Oceana.

Congresswoman Kiggans also had the following amendments passed by the House and included in the legislation:

• Encouraging the approval and development of privatized housing projects for unaccompanied servicemembers.
• Ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs maintains sufficient medical care for veterans who reside in US Territories and Freely Associated States
• Ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs fully funds and competently executes mental health care programs, with a special emphasis on suicide prevention and associated outreach.
• Expressing urgency of expeditiously and efficiently utilizing increased demolition funding on Navy and Marine Corps bases.

BACKGROUND

H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, includes a total discretionary allocation of $147.520 billion for the Department of Defense (Military Construction and Family Housing), the VA, and related agencies. 

VA Allocation

Provides $337.4 billion for the VA, which is $75.5 million above the FY25 Budget Request and $30.2 billion above the FY24 enacted level.

• Fully funds veterans’ medical care at $112.6 billion, which is equal to the FY25 Budget Request.
• Fully funds veterans’ benefits and toxic exposures-related needs for FY25.
• $22.8 billion in advance funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF).

DoD Military Construction Allocation

Provides $17.957 billion for DoD military construction, with a particular focus on the Pacific region and military housing, which is $412 million above the FY25 Budget Request.

• $1.1 billion for 11 barracks projects.
• $75 million above the FY25 Budget Request for planning and design of future barracks to address barracks deficiencies identified by the Government Accountability Office.
• $1.1 billion for investments in the Indo-Pacific region.

• $66 million for a new INDOPACOM initiative to improve United States force posture in the region.
• Approximately $700 million for investments in Guam to defend the United States and our partners and allies in the region.

• $943 million for the Guard and Reserve, which is $40 million above the FY25 Budget Request.
• $2 billion for Military Family Housing.
• $75 million above the enacted level for child development centers to improve the quality of life of military families.

Related Agencies Allocation

Includes $105.4 million for maintenance and construction of the Arlington National Cemetery.

###