Congress should always uphold its mandate to support our nation’s armed forces, their families, and veterans. This week, we have done so yet again. Today, the House passed, on a bipartisan basis, H.R. 8469, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027. H.R. 8469 provides a total discretionary allocation of $157 billion, which is nearly $4 billion (3%) above the Fiscal Year 2026 enacted level. In addition, the bill provides $323.9 billion for mandatory programs, for a total of $469.49 billion in overall funding for Fiscal Year 2027.

Here are just a handful of examples of what this critical legislation does:

• Fully funds veterans' health care.
• Provides an advance for the Toxic Exposures Fund.
• Includes $900 million for medical and prosthetic research.
• Addresses longstanding concerns of mental health and homelessness among veteran populations.
• Includes over $19 billion for military construction.
• Allocates funding to address barrack deficiencies, bolsters investments in DoD laboratories, assists in demolishing obsolete infrastructure and provides nearly $2 billion in military housing. 

This legislation reflects the priorities of the America First agenda by including critical funding allocations for military infrastructure that support readiness and the military families who use it. As Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) testified during this weeks’ Rules Committee meeting, this legislation supports those who have sacrificed for our country and maintains our commitment to the well-being of both service members, veterans and their families. I was immensely proud to have moved this legislation through the Rules Committee and to have voted in favor of it on the House floor as well.

Are You Being Over-Billed?

Patients across the United States should always have the information they need to make informed health care decisions – this includes understanding the true costs associated with care. Far too often, many are hit after care with hidden charges and extraneous fees that they have not agreed to. without even knowing it. This is an issue that should be rectified as soon as possible. I’ve recently introduced legislation alongside Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), the Transparency in Billing Act, that would ensure hospitals account for their charges correctly and prevents them from tacking on hidden facilities fees and charges. Further, it would require them to have in place policies and procedures to ensure accurate billing practices. If you have experienced this, I want to hear from you directly.

To learn more, click here.

A Piece of American History

As I’ve called your attention to in previous newsletters, North Carolina has an incredibly rich history related to its involvement in the Revolutionary War and the formation of our Republic. From the Halifax Resolves to critical battles against the British such as the Battle of Kings Mountain, everywhere one looks, they can see countless examples. Recently, Spectrum News highlighted a very interesting Revolutionary War sketch of barefoot soldiers from North Carolina marching through Philadelphia in August of 1777. This sketch was discovered just three years ago at the home of an artifacts collector and was, for a time, displayed at the State Capitol in Raleigh.

To learn more, click here.

Quote of The Week

"Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause."

— Abraham Lincoln

Have a blessed weekend,