Overview

• The Senate approved the combined Military Construction-VA and Agriculture-FDA bills by an 87-9 vote and passed the legislative branch funding bill separately by an 81-15 vote.
• The $180 billion discretionary package directs over half its funding to Veterans Affairs and military construction, with remaining allocations for agriculture, the FDA and congressional operations.
• Two bipartisan voice-vote amendments require the VA secretary to report on staffing models and prohibit cuts to the Veterans Crisis Line.
• This is the first time since 2018 that the Senate has enacted full-year appropriations bills before its August recess.
• House Republicans have criticized the package for exceeding their approved spending caps, setting the stage for further negotiations in the House.