Senator Baldwin Secures Wins for Wisconsin in Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Funding Bills

Strategic Insights -

Senator Tammy Baldwin has successfully championed several key priorities for Wisconsin businesses, farmers, servicemembers, and veterans in Senate-passed legislation to fund the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Agriculture (USDA) for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026. The bipartisan bills advanced on strong votes, rejecting deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and in stark contrast to the House's partisan bills.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate-passed Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Bill fully funds veterans' medical care and benefits, investing $114.9 billion, more than $2.2 billion above fiscal year 2025, and providing essential health services for over 9.2 million veterans.
  • The bill provides $49.8 billion in mandatory funding for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, covering costs of health care related to toxic exposures and expanded eligibility in the PACT Act.
  • The bill funds critical priorities, including:

+ $342 million for rural health, supporting improved access to care and expanded access to transportation and telehealth.

+ $3.5 billion for caregivers, helping the VA fully implement the program and ensuring legacy participants can keep their eligibility and benefits.

+ $1.4 billion for women's health, supporting gender-specific health care services, programmatic initiatives, and improvements to health care facilities for women veterans.

+ $3.5 billion for veteran homelessness prevention, supporting critical services and housing assistance for veterans and their families experiencing housing insecurity.

  • The bill also includes $18.9 billion for mental health services, including $698 million for suicide prevention outreach and $21.7 million for child care.
  • The Senate-passed Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill fully funds WIC without benefits cuts and delivers key funding for agricultural research and rural rental assistance.

+ The bill provides $1.87 billion for the Agricultural Research Service, an $81 million increase over fiscal year 2025.

+ The bill also provides $1.69 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, rejecting President Trump's budget request to slash core capacity funding.

  • The bill includes several other key provisions, including:

+ $1.715 billion for rental assistance to ensure safe and affordable housing for Americans living in rural areas.

+ $284 million for Section 502 Single Family Direct housing loans, providing homeownership opportunities to families with low incomes.

+ Level funding of $10 million for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and report language requesting a national crisis line for farmers.

Statistics:

  • $114.9 billion: funding for veterans' medical care and benefits in the Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Bill.
  • $49.8 billion: mandatory funding for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund.
  • $342 million: funding for rural health.
  • $3.5 billion: funding for caregivers.
  • $1.4 billion: funding for women's health.
  • $3.5 billion: funding for veteran homelessness prevention.
  • $18.9 billion: funding for mental health services.
  • $698 million: funding for suicide prevention outreach.
  • $21.7 million: funding for child care.
  • $1.87 billion: funding for the Agricultural Research Service.
  • $1.69 billion: funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
  • $1.715 billion: funding for rental assistance.
  • $284 million: funding for Section 502 Single Family Direct housing loans.

Sources:

  • United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.
  • Senators Baldwin and Joni Ernst (R-IA) press release.
  • White House budget request.
  • Senate-passed Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Bill.
  • Senate-passed Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill.