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“Member Day”

House Appropriations Committee, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Hearing

March 25, 2026 (recording here)

HEARING INFORMATION

Witnesses:

• The Honorable Val Hoyle: Member of Congress, Washington, D.C.

• The Honorable Sam Liccardo: Member of Congress, Washington, D.C.

• The Honorable James Moylan: Member of Congress, Washington, D.C.

TOP-LINES TO SHOW YOU ARE IN THE KNOW

1. Members made clear that access to care, especially in rural areas and places like Guam, remains a major gap the VA still hasn’t fully solved.

2. There was strong bipartisan support for expanding State Veterans Homes, with real frustration about funding delays driving up costs.

3. Lawmakers highlighted how long travel distances for care are putting unnecessary strain on both veterans and their families.

4. The discussion reinforced that even basic benefits, like commissary access, are still critical quality-of-life issues for military families.

5. There’s growing pressure on the VA to better utilize existing infrastructure and staffing authority before asking for new resources.

OPENING STATEMENT FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE

• Chairman John Carter looked forward to hearing testimony regarding military construction and VA appropriations priorities affecting districts and communities nationwide. He stressed that Member input was critical as the Subcommittee worked on the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill. He mentioned his intention to work with Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz and other colleagues to accommodate these priorities.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

• Rep. Val Hoyle testified in support of funding for the Roseburg Veterans Home in Oregon, illustrating the strong need in rural communities with high veteran populations. She explained that the state had already committed significant funding and that the project had bipartisan support, but remained stalled due to a lack of federal funding. She argued that delays increased costs and that veterans deserved access to dignified end-of-life care close to home. Rep. Hoyle urged full funding of the State Veterans Home Program, specifically prioritizing the Roseburg facility.

• Rep. Henry Cuellar referenced similar state–federal partnerships in Texas and spoke on the importance of project prioritization. He asked about the proximity of alternative facilities to assess need and noted that a lack of nearby options strengthened the funding argument. He highlighted that geographic gaps in services could improve a project’s justification, suggesting that these factors would help the Committee evaluate the request.

• Chairman Carter asked clarifying questions regarding the type of facility and confirmed that the request involved a veterans home providing assisted living and memory care. Rep. Hoyle clarified the purpose of the facility and reiterated the challenges faced by veterans who currently must travel long distances for care. She emphasized the bipartisan support for the project and the lack of opposition.

• Rep. Sam Liccardo spoke regarding the need to maintain commissary access for military families in the Bay Area. He explained that the current commissary at Moffett Federal Airfield served a large regional population but was at risk of closing due to facility limitations. He mentioned that stakeholders had identified a potential replacement site and were working collaboratively to sustain access. He requested report language encouraging coordination among agencies to preserve commissary services.

• Rep. James Moylan discussed the need to expand the VA’s operational presence in Guam and the Pacific region. He shared that veterans in these areas faced significant barriers due to reliance on a distant regional office in Honolulu. He proposed increasing staffing in existing facilities and planning for a permanent VA regional office in Guam. He also urged support for veteran assistance programs, including homelessness prevention and food security initiatives.

• Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman Schultz acknowledged the challenges faced by veterans in Guam and referenced prior visits that demonstrated these issues. She agreed that access to care was a significant concern and indicated a willingness to continue working on solutions.

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