Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the en bloc package which includes three amendments I offered to the FY 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

My first amendment requires a resident advocate in every veterans home across the country. This advocate will be a direct line of contact for our veterans and their families, ensuring that they have someone who can immediately help with any concerns and respond without delay.

In my home State of New Jersey, 190 veterans tragically lost their lives because of the COVID outbreak at the veterans homes in Paramus, New Jersey, and Menlo Park. This tragedy was preventable and unacceptable. My amendment will help ensure catastrophes like that never happen again.

My second amendment will help VA hospitals provide kosher meal options for Jewish veterans. Right now, many Jewish inpatient veterans are only served frozen, prepackaged kosher meals that severely lack quality nutrition.

We must ensure that no veteran has to choose between their religion and their health.

Finally, my third amendment will encourage continued funding for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which has delivered millions in grants for mental health services to help prevent veteran suicide. Without additional funding, this critical program will expire later this year. We cannot and must not let that happen.

After sacrificing so much, our great veterans should never struggle to get the care, recognition, and respect they have rightfully earned. That is why I strongly urge my colleagues to support the en bloc package.

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