A Bipartisan Bright Spot: Military Construction-VA Bill

During the week of May 12, the House passed its first bill of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 cycle, advanced a second bill through full committee, and held cabinet-level budget hearings. The Senate held FY 2027 budget hearings as well. The week of May 19 was the last session week before the Memorial Day recess, and it was largely a rinse-and-repeat week during this busy appropriations time of year.

Key Highlights

• MilCon-VA passed the House on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, likely the only bill to do so this cycle.
• Senate appropriators are grappling with large prospective cuts to key non-defense priorities while the President’s defense budget request reaches historic heights.
• Continuing Resolutions into the fall, and perhaps next Congress, are likely before a completed cycle of final FY 2027 bills.