[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3944 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 128
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3944
[Report No. 119-161]
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
Mr. Carter of Texas, from the Committee on Appropriations, reported the
following bill; which was committed to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, 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:
TITLE I
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military Construction, Army
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, military installations,
facilities, and real property for the Army as currently authorized by
law, including personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers and other
personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, and
for construction and operation of facilities in support of the
functions of the Commander in Chief, $2,103,657,000, to remain
available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That, of this amount,
not to exceed $321,838,000 shall be available for study, planning,
design, architect and engineer services, and host nation support, as
authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Army determines that
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the
amount made available under this heading, $77,300,000 shall be for the
projects and activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table
under the heading ``Military Construction, Army'' in the report
accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes.
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities,
and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps as currently authorized
by law, including personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command
and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this
appropriation, $4,104,499,000, to remain available until September 30,
2030: Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $526,821,000 shall
be available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Navy
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided
further, That of the amount made available under this heading,
$155,100,000 shall be for the projects and activities, and in the
amounts, specified in the table under the heading ``Military
Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'' in the report accompanying this
Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
Military Construction, Air Force
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, military installations,
facilities, and real property for the Air Force as currently authorized
by law, $3,169,526,000, to remain available until September 30, 2030:
Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $460,886,000 shall be
available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the Air Force
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided
further, That of the amount made available under this heading,
$32,400,000 shall be for the projects and activities, and in the
amounts, specified in the table under the heading ``Military
Construction, Air Force'' in the report accompanying this Act, in
addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
(including transfer of funds)
For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, installations, facilities, and
real property for activities and agencies of the Department of Defense
(other than the military departments), as currently authorized by law,
$3,963,383,000, to remain available until September 30, 2030:
Provided, That such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined
by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such appropriations
of the Department of Defense available for military construction or
family housing as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with and to
be available for the same purposes, and for the same time period, as
the appropriation or fund to which transferred: Provided further,
That, of the amount, not to exceed $822,998,000 shall be available for
study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as
authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the
amount made available under this heading, $82,000,000 shall be for the
projects and activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table
under the heading ``Military Construction, Defense-Wide'' in the report
accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes.
Military Construction, Army National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
Army National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $358,489,000, to remain available until September
30, 2030: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $47,439,000
shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and
engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Director of the
Army National Guard determines that additional obligations are
necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the
reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Air National Guard
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air
National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter
1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $210,492,000, to remain available until September
30, 2030: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $36,092,000
shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and
engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Director of the Air
National Guard determines that additional obligations are necessary for
such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.
Military Construction, Army Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $305,032,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That, of the
amount, not to exceed $31,508,000 shall be available for study,
planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by
law, unless the Chief of the Army Reserve determines that additional
obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and
the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the amount made
available under this heading, $50,000,000 shall be for the projects and
activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table under the
heading ``Military Construction, Army Reserve'' in the report
accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes.
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the
reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps as authorized by
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $79,829,000, to remain available until September
30, 2030: Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $3,219,000
shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect and
engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the
Navy determines that additional obligations are necessary for such
purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided
further, That, of the amount made available under this heading,
$50,000,000 shall be for the projects and activities, and in the
amounts, specified in the table under the heading ``Military
Construction, Navy Reserve'' in the report accompanying this Act, in
addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve
For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air
Force Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $37,863,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2030: Provided, That, of the
amount, not to exceed $20,162,000 shall be available for study,
planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as authorized by
law, unless the Chief of the Air Force Reserve determines that
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the
determination and the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the
amount made available under this heading, $3,200,000 shall be for the
projects and activities, and in the amounts, specified in the table
under the heading ``Military Construction, Air Force Reserve'' in the
report accompanying this Act, in addition to amounts otherwise made
available for such purposes.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Security Investment Program
For the United States share of the cost of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for the acquisition and
construction of military facilities and installations (including
international military headquarters) and for related expenses for the
collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by
section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction
Authorization Acts, $293,434,000, to remain available until expended.
Department of Defense Base Closure Account
For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account,
established by section 2906(a) of the Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), $489,174,000, to remain
available until expended.
Family Housing Construction, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction,
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and
alteration, as authorized by law, $276,647,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2030.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army
For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation and
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction,
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized
by law, $495,369,000.
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for
construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion,
extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $245,742,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2030.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps
For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for
operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor
construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums,
as authorized by law, $397,217,000.
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction,
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and
alteration, as authorized by law, $221,549,000, to remain available
until September 30, 2030.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for operation and
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction,
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized
by law, $346,250,000.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
For expenses of family housing for the activities and agencies of
the Department of Defense (other than the military departments) for
operation and maintenance, leasing, and minor construction, as
authorized by law, $52,156,000.
Department of Defense
Family Housing Improvement Fund
For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund,
$8,195,000, to remain available until expended, for family housing
initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, United
States Code, providing alternative means of acquiring and improving
military family housing and supporting facilities.
Department of Defense
Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund
For the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing
Improvement Fund, $497,000, to remain available until expended, for
unaccompanied housing initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883
of title 10, United States Code, providing alternative means of
acquiring and improving military unaccompanied housing and supporting
facilities.
Administrative Provisions
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: Provided,
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: Provided further, 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