Senator Shaheen Secures Priorities in Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has successfully secured key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations bill, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support. The bill includes provisions to improve healthcare access for veterans, particularly substance use disorder treatment and intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention and response. Senator Shaheen's efforts focus on addressing the substance use disorder crisis in New Hampshire and ensuring veterans receive the care they need to reduce opioid use and access resources for IPV.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Shaheen secured $700 million in funding for opioid prevention and treatment programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help reduce opioid use for pain management through nonpharmacological treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain.
  • The bill increases resources for the VA's Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) by $36.879 million, an increase from the FY2025 enacted level, to prevent and respond to IPV.
  • Shaheen also secured an amendment to improve the compensation and pension examination process for Granite State veterans, directing the VA to create and submit a report on CandP exam distances and problems.
  • Senator Shaheen has led efforts in the Senate to support veterans and military families, including cosponsoring the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and working to include provisions in the PACT Act to expand health care for veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic substances.

Statistics:

  • Over $700 million in funding for opioid prevention and treatment programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • $36.879 million increase in resources for the VA's Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP).
  • $NONE in FY2024 language directing the VA to collect data on CandP exam distances and problems.
  • 2022: Senator Shaheen worked to include provisions in the PACT Act to expand health care for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.
  • 2021: Shaheen supported an amendment that would require the VA to provide benefits for veterans suffering from four diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
  • 2019: Senator Shaheen cosponsored the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which created a permanent legislative fix to help ensure "Blue Water" Navy veterans get disability and health care benefits.

Sources:

  • New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen's office, https://www.shaheen.senate.gov/
  • Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations bill, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3000
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, https://www.va.gov/
  • PACT Act, https://www.va.gov/pact_act/
  • Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/499