MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today released a statement in response to a detailed Congressional Research Service (CRS) report he requested that establishes no previous president has sought to build a triumphal arch in Washington. 

Donald Trump proposed building one in October 2025 at a dinner for donors to his proposed ballroom. White House spokesman David Ingle later said: “President Trump is right. The American people for nearly 200 years have wanted an Arch in our Nation’s capital to showcase our great history.”

Today’s CRS report concludes: “No specific statements referencing the need for an arch were identified that were attributable directly to a sitting President or their staff prior to 2025.” 

On July 31, 2025, the Trump White House released a statement saying: “For 150 years, Presidents…have longed for a large event space on the White House complex that can hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. President Donald J. Trump has expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people.”

In December last year, Congressman Cohen received a CRS study he requested establishing that, contrary to President Trump’s assertion, no previous president had sought to build a White House ballroom. A federal judge has ruled such a structure would require Congressional approval and a project now under construction has been suspended.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Donald Trump lies about a lot of things, but his messianic zeal to brand our capital city as a tribute to himself is not only beyond offensive, it is historically unprecedented. I received a report from the Congressional Research Service earlier today that says no president or White House staffer has ever proposed building a triumphal arch in Washington. Trump insists they have, and he’s wrong. In December, I requested a similar CRS report after Trump’s repeated assertions that presidents for the past 150 years had sought to build a White House ballroom. That CRS report indicated no previous president had sought one.

“We don’t need an arch or a ballroom. Trump’s ego is insatiable and his easily disproven lies are inexcusable. He must be denied these homages to himself.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

JOLIET – Today, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the projects in the 14th District submitted for consideration for Community Project Funding in FY2027.

If funded, the projects below will have extraordinary benefits for our community: ensuring access to safe and reliable drinking water, strengthening rural access to health care, helping residents get good jobs, providing vulnerable populations access to necessities like emergency shelter and food, and making public transit stronger in northern Illinois.

“Making sure that our community’s needs are reflected in federal funding has always been a top priority of mine in Washington,” said Underwood. “Our families will feel the enormous impact of these 20 projects every day. We’re making sure our drinking water is clean and safe across northern Illinois, strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities, improving our public transit systems, and so much more. I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring these federal dollars home.”

Underwood recently secured $13 million in Community Project Funding in FY 2026, and has secured more than $53 million in Community Project Funding for IL-14 since 2021.

Community Project Funding is an initiative that allows Members of Congress to directly request federal funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent, coupled with strict transparency and ethics requirements. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Underwood has certified that she and her immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects selected. Underwood’s certification forms for the projects listed are available here, listed in alphabetical order. 

Below are descriptions of the projects submitted for consideration, in alphabetical order by project sponsor:

Project Title: DeKalb Metra Rail Extension Preparation
Project Sponsor: City of DeKalb Transit  
Amount Requested: $1,200,000
Project: This funding would be used to advance the extension of Metra commuter rail service along the Union Pacific West Line between Elburn and DeKalb, Illinois. The funding will help the City of Dekalb prepare its regional rail and corridor service development plans, and help fund environmental analyses for the extension. DeKalb is a major employment and education hub for our community, anchored by Northern Illinois Univeristy (NIU). NIU is the only Illinois public university without passenger rail access, and DeKalb has been without passenger rail service since 1971.

Project Title: Grand Prairie Water Commission Alternative Water Source Program Regional Transmission Main (Segment B) Project
Project Sponsor: City of Joliet
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Address of Sponsor: 150 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60432
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to construct water pipes to deliver treated Lake Michigan water to communities served by the Grand Prairie Water Commission. The new pipes will extend and connect to two water delivery structures in Joliet, and provide a safe and sustainable water supply for residents in Joliet, Crest Hill, Channahon, Minooka, Romeoville, and Shorewood.

Project Title: The Mendota Civic Center Revitalization
Project Sponsor: City of Mendota
Amount Requested: $253,000
Address of Sponsor: 800 Washington Street, Mendota, IL, 61342
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to modernize the Mendota Civic Center, a 17,000 square-foot building that serves as the main community gathering space for Mendota and surrounding rural communities. The Civic Center houses Mendota Area Senior Services, hosts monthly youth programs, and offers affordable meeting and event space for local businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations. This project would fund badly needed HVAC upgrades, ADA improvements, and the replacement of carpeting, bathroom fixtures, ceiling tiles, and outdated equipment to make sure the community center remains a pillar of our community.

Project Title: City of Ottawa Public Transit Fleet Replacement
Project Sponsor: City of Ottawa
Amount Requested: $720,000
Address of Sponsor: 301 W Madison St, Ottawa, IL, 61350
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to purchase new vehicles for the North Central Area Transit (NCAT) system’s aging fleet. NCAT’s rural transit system serves seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and the general public throughout LaSalle County. Nearly half of NCAT’s vehicles have exceeded their operational lifespan, making it more difficult for residents to use the system to get to work, school, medical appointments, and access essential services. This project would purchase five buses to replace aging vehicles and expand NCAT’s service hours, coverage, and ability to deliver reliable and accessible public transit for our community.

Project Title: Spring Valley Water Main Extension and Connection
Project Sponsor: City of Spring Valley
Amount Requested: $522,500
Address of Sponsor: 215 N. Greenwood Street Spring Valley, IL 61362
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to replace and construct new water infrastructure between the City of Spring Valley and the City of Peru’s. Spring Valley uses a single water source, a critical vulnerability that threatens access to clean, safe water for families in northern Illinois. This project will make sure Spring Valley has a redundant and secure source of water during emergencies and allow more flexibility for maintenance and repairs, ensuring our community has uninterrupted access to safe drinking water.

Project Title: Enhancing Law Enforcement Effectiveness in Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence
Project Sponsor: Guardian Angel Community Services
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Address of Sponsor: 168 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL 60432
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to support the operations of Guardian Angel Community Services, a critical organization in our community that supports survivors of domestic violence. The project will provide housing assistance and basic supplies for survivors, salaries and benefits for staff, program materials, training, resource development, and help with travel and administrative costs. 

Project Title: The Hall Township Food Security & Affordability Infrastructure Project
Project Sponsor: Hall Township 
Amount Requested: $750,000 
Address of Sponsor: 108 Wolfer Drive, Spring Valley, IL, 61362
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to renovate and repurpose an empty salt shed building in Spring Valley into a permanent food storage and distribution facility for the Hall Township Food Pantry, which serves residents across Bureau County. The project will allow the pantry to replace the building’s roof, lay a new food-safe floor, install new LED lighting, and put in an overhead garage door and ADA-accessible entrance. This investment directly increases the availability of healthy food for seniors and working families in our community. 

Project Title: Joliet Junior College Public Safety Institute
Project Sponsor: Joliet Junior College
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Address of Sponsor: 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used by Joliet Junior College (JJC) to create a regional hub to train fire service, law enforcement, and emergency medical professionals in our community. The project will allow JJC to renovate existing space on their main campus for new training academies and expand their existing EMR and EMT programs. This funding would support the purchase of fire training equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs, fill stations, live burn props, forcible entry simulators, and rescue mannequins. Additionally this funding would support the purchase of EMS training tools like advanced medical simulators and transport equipment. It also would provide funding for the purchase of law enforcement training resources like forensic equipment, body camera systems, defensive tactics gear, and virtual simulation systems to support learning objectives including deescalation training and crisis intervention training.

Project Title: Phase 3 Fairmont Stormwater System Rehabilitation Project
Project Sponsor: Lockport Township
Amount Requested: $1,334,500
Address of Sponsor: 1463 Farrell Road, Lockport, IL 60441
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to upgrade and replace critical stormwater infrastructure in our community in Fairmont. The project will replace failing ditch and culvert stormwater drainage with buried, reinforced concrete pipe and lay a new sidewalk to improve safety for families. This project addresses longstanding infrastructure needs in Fairmont and will help reduce flood-related property damage.

Project Title: Oswego School District Student Success & Workforce Development Project
Project Sponsor: Oswego Community Unit School District 308 
Amount Requested: $3,081,449
Address of Sponsor: 4175 Route 71, Oswego, IL, 60543
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to renovate the Oswego school district’s multipurpose building to convert underutilized office space into specialized classrooms for students with disabilities. The project makes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades and reconfigures walls, doors, finishes, flooring, and lighting. The renovated spaces will include a mock apartment with laundry and kitchen facilities, a working café, and a retail storefront to teach job and independent living skills for young adults with disabilities.

Project Title: Electric Buses for Pace’s Southeast Aurora On Demand Service
Project Sponsor: Pace Bus
Amount Requested: $800,000

Address of Sponsor: 550 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to purchase two battery-powered buses for Pace’s Southeast Aurora On Demand service. These buses will replace aging, gas-powered buses and help advance Pace’s commitment to converting their fleet to zero-emissions vehicles. Electric buses operating this route will reduce emissions for families living in Aurora and lower fuel and maintenance costs.

Project Title: Improving Rural Health Rapid Response in Putnam County
Project Sponsor: Putnam County Board
Amount Requested: $281,250
Address of Sponsor: 120 N. 4th Street, Hennepin, IL 61327
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to purchase an equipped ambulance for Putnam County Emergency Medical Services. Putnam County EMS is the only ambulance serving over 250 road miles of road in our community, covering ethanol and machining plants, farms, and residences. Their current EMS fleet is aging, with the oldest vehicle, a 2001 model, exceeding 150,000 miles. The project will help Putnam County upgrade their fleet with a new ambulance with up-to-date medical and communications technology that meets modern standards of care for our families.

Project Title: Flewellin Memorial Library Renovation and Modernization
Project Sponsor: Shabbona Township
Amount Requested: $1,778,762
Address of Sponsor: 204 S. Pontiac St, Shabbona, IL 60550
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used by Shabbona Township to renovate and modernize the Flewellin Memorial Library. The project will upgrade their aging building, making it a safe, accessible, energy-efficient community hub that supports education, literacy, and community engagement for residents. 

Project Title: Somonauk Fire Protection District: Critical Life Safety Equipment Replacement
Project Sponsor: Somonauk Fire Protection District
Amount Requested: $474,000
Address of Sponsor: 145 W. DeKalb Street, Somonauk, IL, 60552
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to upgrade and replace critical, life-safety equipment for the Somonauk Fire Protection District. The fire department’s current inventory of SCBAs has reached the end of its certified service life and is currently out of compliance with current standards. The project will replace the safety equipment and make sure first responders can safely respond to the full range of emergency calls in their rural service area.

Project Title: Sugar Grove Fire Community Training Facility
Project Sponsor: Sugar Grove Fire Protection District
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Address of Sponsor: 25 S Municipal Dr, Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to construct a regional Fire Training Complex for the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District. The new facility will include dedicated classrooms and specialized training areas for Auto Extrication, Aircraft Rescue, Water and Ice Rescue, Driver Training, and more, along with secure equipment storage. The new complex will serve both the fire district and Waubonsee Community College’s Fire Science Technology Program.

Project Title: The Preston Heights Health & Economic Opportunity Kitchen in Joliet, Illinois
Project Sponsor: Will County
Amount Requested: $285,000
Address of Sponsor: 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to construct a commercial kitchen facility at the Labor of Love Community Garden in Preston Heights near Joliet. The new facility will serve as a public community resource for food education, food safety certification, job training, and small business incubation for members of our community. The project will allow Labor of Love to expand their STEAM Summer Program and Healthy Eating Active Living sessions by creating a safe, hands-on environment for their programming.

Project Title: Village of Plainfield Environmental Infrastructure Program (Village of Plainfield)
Project Sponsor: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District 
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Address of Sponsor: 24401 W. Lockport Street, Plainfield, IL, 60544
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to construct new water infrastructure in Plainfield to help our community receive potable water from Lake Michigan. Plainfield is one of the fastest growing communities in Will County and the State of the Illinois, and current demand for water is routinely exhausting our community’s capacity to serve residents. The project will construct a second storage tank for Lake Michigan water and make sure our water supply is reliable, safe, and clean.

Project Title: Village of North Utica Church Street Water Main Replacement Project
Project Sponsor: Village of North Utica
Amount Requested: $1,636,000 
Address of Sponsor: 248 W Canal Street, North Utica, IL 61373
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to replace aging water infrastructure along Church Street in Utica, including over 150-year-old lead pipes that pose significant public health risks. The project includes replacing water pipes, removing and upgrading lead service lines connecting to homes and businesses, restoring impacted properties, and resurfacing Church Street. 

Project Title: Phase 2 of the Lake Michigan Water Source Receiving Stations Project 
Project Sponsor: Village of Oswego
Amount Requested: $2,640,000
Address of Sponsor: 100 Parkers Mill, Oswego, IL 60543
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to construct new water infrastructure in our communities in Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville and ensure we have a sustainable drinking water supply. The project will support Montgomery, Oswego, and Yorkville’s connection to the DuPage Water Commission system and their transition to Lake Michigan as our water source. 

Project Title: Wheatland Township Senior Center 
Project Sponsor: Wheatland Township
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Address of Sponsor: 4232 Tower Court, Naperville, IL, 60564
Project Description and Justification: This funding would be used to construct a new facility to host senior services, community programming, and food services to serve our rapidly growing community. The new facility will include a multipurpose room, a commercial kitchen and a pantry to support senior meals and community food services. The new facility will provide a permanent home for senior programming that currently lacks dedicated space as well, creating an accessible, ADA-compliant facility that will serve as a community anchor.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after his bill, the Interagency Coordination in Export Controls Act, passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee:

“Exports are the lifeblood of our economy on a global scale,” said Congressman Baird. “Our export controls process drastically affects our defense, diplomatic, and energy ecosystems. China is notorious for importing and stealing American and allied civilian technologies and maliciously using them in support of its military. We cannot allow our advanced technologies to give China the upper hand. Strengthening cross-departmental input will help prevent this. I was grateful to see the House Foreign Affairs Committee pass my legislation to reform our export controls process and strengthen our national security. I thank my friend, Chairman Mast, for his leadership, and I hope this legislation comes before the full U.S. House soon.”

Background:

The Export Administration Review Board (EARB) is an advisory panel consisting of the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy, State, and War. The panel advises the Secretary of Commerce on decisions regarding U.S. Export Controls, the rules regarding exports. The Department of Commerce is currently the only agency that can write new rules on export controls. 

The Interagency Coordination in Export Controls Act allows the other three agencies to propose new rules and requires three out of four departments to agree on export controls before final implementation.

Additionally, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to consider the implications of China’s military-civil fusion strategy for U.S. export controls and consider proposing corresponding policies to the other agencies for a vote. Military-civil fusion is an aggressive strategy from the Chinese Communist Party to develop the most technologically advanced military in the world, in part by eliminating barriers between China’s civilian research and commercial sectors and its military and defense industrial sectors, as well as by acquiring and diverting the world’s cutting-edge technologies, often by theft.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), led the U.S. House of Representatives in a moment of silence following the passing of Congressman David Scott (GA-13). Following the moment of silence, he released this statement:

“David and I served side by side for decades — first in the Georgia General Assembly and later together in the United States House of Representatives. More so, we shared a friendship rooted in faith, family, and a deep commitment to the people we represent. I have known David and his family for many years. My wife, Vivian, and I join countless Georgians in mourning his loss and in holding his loved ones close.

“As a leader on the House Agriculture Committee, David’s voice was both steady and compassionate. It was particularly poignant when, in 2020, he became the first African-American chair of that committee — a historic moment that reflected his years of principled leadership. He used that platform to fight for 1890 land‑grant institutions and disadvantaged farmers who too often have been left behind, working tirelessly to secure resources for the agricultural producers, rural communities, and nutrition programs that sustain our state and our nation.

“David’s devotion to the larger agricultural community — from small family farms across Georgia to cooperative extension and HBCU researchers — was personal and persistent. He understood that the health of our farms, the dignity of our workers, and the nourishment of our people are bound together, and he labored each day to translate that understanding into results.

“To Alfredia, his children, grandchildren, and all who loved him: words cannot fully express our sorrow. We will honor David’s memory by continuing the work he loved — by standing with our farmers, defending nutrition programs, and fighting for opportunity for all.

“May God comfort his family and may David rest in peace.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

Congressman Hank Johnson released the following statement: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, David Scott. He was a man of deep faith who constantly studied the Bible, but he was never pompous and was simply a regular guy. When I came to Congress, he took me under his wing, showed me the ropes, and offered me some guidance that I have carried with me and tried to follow. He was a good man, and I will miss him. My and Mereda’s prayers are with David’s wife Alfredia, his daughters Dayna and Marcye, and the entire family and staff during this difficult time.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) released a statement on the loss of Congressman David Scott of Georgia.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of my colleague Congressman David Scott’s death. Representative Scott was the first Black Chair of the House Agriculture Committee where I had the privilege of working beside him as Vice Chair. 

“During our time on the Agriculture Committee, we worked on policies supporting SNAP, nutrition, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“Throughout his 23-year tenure in the House of Representatives, he has been a champion for HBCUs. As a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, he understood first-hand the importance of investing in our institutions. I will forever treasure our work together. 

“Representative Scott was a trailblazer in many ways and led Georgia’s 13^th District with purpose. His service is indelible. 

“I send my deepest condolences to his family members, loved ones, and constituents.

To Representative Scott: thank you. May you rest in perfect peace.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting Arbor Day, which promotes the planting of trees, and widely emphasizes the value and benefits of trees, such as their role in oxygen, human health, food sources, wildlife habitat, and ecology. 

A view of the green mountainsides of Tutuila from 2019 – photo by Congresswoman Amata’s office

“We are blessed in our beautiful islands with lots of plant life and our land is green from shore to shore with our tropical rainforest,” said Congresswoman Amata. “We have plenty of fruit, coconut and other trees that provide some of the island foods we love for us and our islands’ wildlife. This week’s Earth Day and Arbor Day are wonderful times to pause and notice our trees and vegetation and be thankful. In other places, the goals of Arbor Day are incredibly important to restoring forests, stewarding the land, or recovering from wildfire damages, so we want to be part of championing these efforts. Here in American Samoa, along with our abundance, we have to contend with major storms, slides, heavy rainfall, and wave erosion. Arbor Day is always an excellent class project or opportunity to take care of our surroundings, and look to the future.”

The Roots of Arbor Day

Arbor Day began in 1872, starting in Nebraska, where the countryside was grassland, part of the U.S. “Great Plains.” Farmers and residents knew they would benefit from nearby trees for shelter and shade, and needed lumber for building and survival in their cold weather state. Soon, their “plant a tree” message developed and spread. That common sense goal reached other states, gaining the backing of newspapers, official proclamations by governors and legislatures, leading to volunteers, classroom projects, and the current focus.

“My friend Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas is the only forester by profession in Congress,” Amata concluded. “We oversee the U.S. National Forest Service, and related efforts from the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. In this Committee, I’ve had the opportunity to support bills encouraging planting millions of trees, supporting sapling nurseries, reforestation efforts, and wildfire defenses in the Western United States where our firefighters have responded repeatedly. Thank you again to our dedicated firefighting professionals this Arbor Day.”

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming an advancement of the bipartisan U.S. Vets of the FAS Act, H.R. 6652, to fulfill U.S. commitments to U.S. Veterans in the Freely Associated States (FAS) with telehealth and mail order pharmacy services. 

“Our U.S. Veterans deserve these services, and our bill affirms congressional intent with clear language regarding the COFA agreements to support our Veterans from the Freely Associated States, which honors all who served,” said HVAC Vice Chairman Amata. “I’m pleased to see our legislation take this first step in our Committee work, with more to do, but we have important bipartisan backing. This is another good bill where the Representatives from the Pacific territories and Hawaii are working together in full agreement.”

“The major typhoon damages emphasize the necessity of having these services in place and ready for our Veterans in these Pacific locations,” said Aumua Amata, who had led passage of the COFA legislation in the 118^th Congress, serving as Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee’s Task Force for that purpose. 

On Thursday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s (HVAC) Subcommittee on Health advanced this bill directing the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to ensure these essential health services to veterans in the FAS. The bill is the cooperative effort of the three Pacific territories and the Hawaii House delegation: Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (CNMI) with original cosponsors Congresswoman Aumua Amata (American Samoa), Congressman James Moylan (Guam), Congressman Ed Case and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, both of Hawaii. 

The bill reinforces the commitment Congress made in the 2024 renewal of the Compacts of Free Association and ensures the VA fulfills that obligation, including reports to Congress to ensure accountability and progress, and a timeline for implementation. The next step for the bill is consideration by the full Committee.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is pleased to welcome notice of a health services grant for maternal and child health care services. 

Dr. Anaise Uso in Congresswoman Amata’s office just last month in a health delegation to DC with Dr. Aifili John Tufa

This is a discretionary grant of $176,281 for the American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), as part of a three-year project period already under way. 

“Thank you to Dr. Anaise Uso for her work ensuring ASDOH receives this grant and especially for her efforts and leadership of the medical services to care for our mothers, babies and young children,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you as always to all our medical professionals for providing healthcare for our people.”

ASDOH is led by Director Dr. Saipale Fuimaono under the administration of Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula and Lt. Gov. Pulumataala Ae Ae, Jr., and in Washington, D.C., HHS is led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and HRSA by Administrator Thomas Engels. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), an eight-year member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, responsible for all federal discretionary funding, reported that Appropriations yesterday approved its first of twelve annual Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 funding measures, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations bill.

The measures fund military facilities throughout the Department of Defense, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and various small agencies and programs supporting our nation’s some 18 million veterans, including over 112,000 throughout Hawai‘i. As passed by the Committee, the bill’s FY 2027 total funding is $157 billion, nearly $20 billion above the FY 2026 enacted level. 

“I voted for our MilCon-VA FY 2027 measure because it advances our key military infrastructure worldwide as well as our multiple efforts for our veterans and their families, secures further hundreds of millions in investments in Hawaii’s military facilities which strengthen our state’s number two economic driver, protects key Native Hawaiian programs from elimination, and moves forward a second national cemetery to supplement a near-capacity Punchbowl,” said Case, who previously served on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and currently serves on its Subcommittees on Defense and Homeland Security.

During full Committee consideration of the bill, Case spoke on the critical need to reinvest in Hawaii’s aging military infrastructure (see here). He highlighted several key deficiencies, including failing sewage treatment systems at Pearl Harbor.

Also in this bill, Case successfully worked to protect Native Hawaiian programs that are under direct threats from by the Trump administration. “My Committee agreed with my requests to maintain contracting preferences for Native Hawaiians in the VA; continue funding for the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program that assists Native Hawaiian veterans; and support the VA Center for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islander (NHPIUSAPI) Veterans Health.” Case further worked to advance the health care needs of veterans residing in the Freely Associated States (Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau), as agreed to in the renewed Compacts of Free Association between the U.S. and those countries.

Further details follow:

Veterans-Related Programs

The bill provides $137 billion in discretionary spending for veterans-related programs, an increase of $4 billion above the FY 2026 enacted level.

“Hawaii’s veterans and their families make up one of the largest percentages of any state in our nation including in such key areas like women and minority veterans,” said Case.

“While this bill includes some important investments both parties can support, we must continue to do everything we can to lower the cost of living for our veterans and ensure they are able to find jobs, feed their families and keep roofs over their heads.”

The measure also continues support for the VA Center for NHPIUSAPI Veterans Health. The Center’s doctors and scientists coordinate research from all over the Pacific Islands and the United States to specifically address veterans healthcare in the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the Pacific. The Center works with the University of Hawai‘i, and the bill encourages the VA to continue partnering with universities in the Pacific region focusing on issues unique to the NHPIUSAPI community.

The Committee accepted Case’s amendment (see here) to redirect the VA’s efforts to expand medical care for veterans living in the Freely Associated States (FAS), as previously instructed to do so by Congress. Citizens of the FAS enlist in the U.S. military at some of the highest enlistment rates per capita. In exchange for exclusive military basing rights, the U.S. provides the military defense of these countries as part of a decades-long compact agreement. In 2024, the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act gave the VA the authority to provide medical services and beneficiary travel benefits to U.S. veterans in the FAS. To date, the VA has not exercised this authority.

“U.S. veterans in the FAS deserve the same care as all other service members without having to navigate unjustified barriers or traveling long distances to get the case they need,” said Case.

“Today’s amendment will help clarify Congressional direction to provide these veterans the care they earned.”

The Committee included language requested by Case directing the VA to provide a report assessing the need and options for building a new national veterans cemetery in Hawai‘i, including the costs and size of land needed to support burials for the next 50 years. Case secured the language because the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific has been essentially closed to casketed burials since 1991 and will stop accepting cremated remains by 2036. This is a serious concern for the roughly 115,000 veterans living in Hawai‘i, some 11% of the state’s population.

This provision will help advance legislation introduced by Congressman Case, Congresswoman Jill Tokuda and Senator Mazie Hirono to build a new national cemetery in Hawai‘i. More details about Congressman Case’s Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act is available here.

The MilCon-VA Appropriations bill also includes $1.4 billion to meet the need for specific care for women veterans and supports the Office of Women’s Health, including its childcare initiative. These funds will allow the VA to continue hiring women primary care providers and to increase the number of peer support specialists for women veterans. These efforts have become even more critical as the number of female veterans using VA health care services has increased. 

“Women veterans often require specialized care due to unique health needs stemming from their military service and gender,” said Case. “With sustained support from my Committee over multiple years, Congress is working to ensure the VA sets the standard for women veterans care, ensuring consistent, high-quality services across all facilities.”

Other specific veterans-related programs and provisions requested and secured by Case include: 

• Protecting contracting preferences for Native Hawaiian owned business that work with the VA.
• $108 million for the American Battle Monument Commission, which manages the Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
• $60 million for the VA Grants for the Construction of Veterans Cemeteries Program, which regularly provides funding to support Hawaii’s state cemeteries.
• $237 million for substance-use disorder (SUD) efforts to ensure veterans can receive timely SUD specialty services.
• $3.5 billion for the Veterans’ Homelessness Program Resources Account. This funding will enhance homeless veterans service providers’ ability to provide high demand care such as health services, substance use disorder programs, compensated work therapy and other supportive services.
• $349 million for Rural Health Initiatives, $2 million above FY 2026 level. This will improve access and quality of care for the more than three million enrolled veterans residing in highly rural areas.
• $8.5 million for the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, which is $3.6 million below the FY 2026 level.

Military Construction

The bill provides $19.2 billion for Department of Defense (DoD) military construction and family housing, $537 million below the FY 2026 enacted level.

Although Case supported the bill, he explained that “the bill fails to fully account for the President’s budget request, which was received too late to be incorporated. The bill must be amended along its path once the Committee has had time to review all the proposed construction projects, including the some $1.7 billion that I advocated for and that Hawai‘i is slated to receive under the President’s proposed budget – the second highest in the nation behind Alaska ($2.4 billion).”

The following Hawai‘i projects listed in the budget can later be included in the MilCon-VA bill after the Trump administration provides the detailed justifications for the projects:

• Pearl Harbor Dry Dock 3 Replacement ($507 million)
• Red Hill Water Treatment Plant ($248 million),
• Pacific Warfighting Center Expansion ($184 million),
• Pacific Missile Range Airfield Pavement Upgrades ($142 million),
• Kāne‘ohe Bay Company Compound $134 million),
• Wheeler Aircraft Maintenance Hangar ($90 million),
• Kāne‘ohe Bay 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment Armory Expansion ($77 million),
• Helemano Wells and Storage Tanks ($72 million),
• Fort Shafter Clearwell and Booster Pump ($71 million),
• Kāne‘ohe Bay Main Gate Entry Control Point ($49 million),
• Schofield Wildfire Station ($30 million),
• Schofield Elevated Tank and Distribution Lines ($26 million),
• Schofield Water Storage Tank ($21 million),
• Maui Secure Integration Support Lab acquisition ($4 million).

Other specific military construction programs and provisions requested and secured by Case critical to Hawai‘i include: 

• $750 million for the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program, which helps military installations in Hawai‘i and nationwide transition to renewable energy sources.
• Language directing the Army to provide a report on the 25th Infantry Division’s current headquarters, to include operational risks, the plan for addressing facility requirements and a detailed timeline and estimated costs for improvements to ensure adequate capability and resiliency.
• Language directing the Navy to study a long-term cost benefit analysis of Waterfront Production Facilities at each public shipyard, timeline and estimated costs for planned Waterfront Production Facilities under Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) and actions that can be taken to accelerate the construction of SIOP-related Waterfront Production Facilities.
• Language directing the Army and Defense Health Agency to conduct preliminary construction planning to renovate Tripler Army Medical Center, to include the core buildings constructed in the 1940s and address related infrastructure needs such as a parking structure.
• Language directing a report assessing the progress of the Hawai‘i Infrastructure Readiness Initiative, a decade-long infrastructure improvement plan for U.S. Army Garrison Hawai‘i that was estimated to invest over $1 billion in Hawai‘i.
• Language supporting dual use military-civilian infrastructure investments in the FAS for the first time in generations and requesting details of how to better foster the civilian-military relationship for major planned military construction in the region.

The measure is the first one of the twelve bills to be taken up by the House Appropriations Committee that will collectively fund the federal government for FY 2027 (commencing October 1, 2026). 

The bill now moves on to the full House of Representatives for its consideration. 

A summary of the MilCon-VA funding bill is available here.

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