Carter, John RSS Articles

Congressman John Carter Announces New VA Outpatient Clinic Serving Copperas Cove and Killeen Area

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Carter Announces New VA Outpatient Clinic Serving Copperas Cove and Killeen Area

Copperas Cove, TX – Congressman John Carter (TX-31) joined the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to announce a major expansion of healthcare access for Central Texas veterans with the establishment of a new VA outpatient clinic serving the Copperas Cove and Killeen region.

Located just five miles from Fort Hood, the new clinic will bring VA healthcare closer to home for thousands of veterans across Central Texas.

The facility will serve a regional veteran population approaching 200,000, including many who served at Fort Cavazos and chose to remain in the region after their military service. The clinic will reduce drive times, expand access to mental health and outpatient specialty services, and improve appointment availability for veterans and their families.

The project reflects a strong partnership between Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to strengthen outpatient care capacity in Central Texas while supporting one of the largest veteran populations in the nation. The development and operation of the clinic is also expected to create more than 500 jobs.

“This clinic brings care closer to home for the veterans who served our nation,” said Congressman Carter. “It reduces drive time, expands access to critical services, and strengthens support for the military and retiree community in Central Texas.”

“After our men and women in uniform complete their service, we must continue to serve them as veterans," said Congressman Pfluger. "Killeen is the center of Texas military might and it’s time we match that need. This new VA clinic offers our local veterans quicker access to quality care, and is a major win for the community. I was proud to help bring this VA to Killeen, and I applaud my friend Judge Carter for his partnership and leadership in making it happen.”

“The brave men and women who defended our nation in uniform deserve the highest quality health care,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The new VA Outpatient Clinic in Copperas Cove will ensure veterans in Central Texas have access to the medical care they need. I was proud to support the creation of this clinic alongside my colleague, Congressman John Carter, and I look forward to seeing how it serves our veterans for years to come.”

“VA has opened more than two dozen new health care facilities during the second Trump Administration, and this proposed clinic underscores President Trump’s steadfast commitment to bringing more care to Veterans closer to home,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.

The new outpatient clinic represents a continued commitment to ensuring veterans in the Copperas Cove and Killeen area receive timely, accessible, and high-quality care.

Congressman John Carter Secures $9.68 Million for Connell Street Widening and Reconstruction Project in Belton

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Carter Secures $9.68 Million for Connell Street Widening and Reconstruction Project in Belton

Belton, Texas — Congressman John Carter announced that he secured $9,680,000 in federal funding to support the Connell Street Widening and Reconstruction Project, a major infrastructure investment aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting continued growth in Belton.

Connell Street serves as a key north–south corridor for the community and plays an important role in daily travel for families, businesses, and first responders.

“Roads are one of those things people notice immediately when they’re not working — when traffic backs up, when intersections feel unsafe, or when growth outpaces infrastructure,” said Congressman Carter. “This project is about fixing problems before they get worse and making sure Connell Street keeps up with the people who rely on it every day. I’m proud to work alongside local partners who are planning ahead and taking care of their community. When projects like this get put off, they only get more expensive — and today, we’re making sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Belton is one of the communities I’m proud to represent and call home. As our region continues to grow, we have to stay ahead of the transportation challenges that come with it. Expanding and reconstructing Connell Street will strengthen an existing alternative to I-35 and help keep our community moving as major projects like the I-14 Extension Project moves forward,” said Representative Hickland. “I’m very grateful to the City of Belton for their continued advocacy on behalf of our community, and to Congressman Carter for securing funding for this critical project and for his tireless advocacy for Central Texas and the communities that make this region a great place to live.”

The City of Belton completed the planning and design work for the project, positioning it to move forward once funding became available. Through the Community Project Funding process, Congressman Carter was able to secure federal support to help bring the project across the finish line.

The project will widen Connell Street from two lanes to four lanes and includes roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, updated traffic signals, sidewalks, and a shared-use path to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. The corridor also serves as an alternate route to Interstate 35, helping relieve pressure on the region’s busiest roadway.

Congressman John Carter Secures Funding to Expand Rural Health Care Access at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Congressman John Carter Secures Funding to Expand Rural Health Care Access at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls

Marble Falls, Texas — Congressman John Carter announced that he secured federal funding to support the purchase of a new computerized tomography (CT) scanner and contrast injector at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls, a critical investment that will expand access to lifesaving diagnostic care for patients across rural Central Texas.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls serves as the only full-service community hospital across a 3,800-square-mile rural service area and plays a vital role in emergency, trauma, and specialty care for Burnet County and surrounding communities.

“In rural communities, access to timely medical care can make all the difference,” said Congressman Carter. “When someone shows up in the emergency room with a serious injury or stroke symptoms, they shouldn’t have to wait longer for imaging or be sent miles away for care. This investment helps make sure families here can get the care they need, when they need it, close to home.”

“Baylor Scott & White – Marble Falls is deeply grateful for Congressman Carter’s leadership in strengthening healthcare in Central Texas. We truly appreciate his help in securing federal funding for advanced imaging equipment,” said Tim Ols, president, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls. “As a not‑for‑profit hospital serving the Highland Lakes region, we see firsthand the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing care. This investment in new equipment reflects our shared commitment to helping our neighbors continue receiving the timely, high‑quality medical services they depend on.”

The funding will support the purchase of a new CT scanner and contrast injector, expanding the hospital’s imaging capacity and reducing strain on its existing equipment. The new scanner is expected to serve more than 2,500 patients in its first year and over 5,400 patients annually within four years, while also strengthening the hospital’s Level IV trauma emergency department.

Carter: House Republicans Act to Prevent Government Shutdown

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Carter: House Republicans Act to Prevent Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to end the partial government shutdown and continue funding the federal government.

"Keeping the government functioning is a basic responsibility of Congress,” said Congressman John Carter. “House Republicans came together to do our job and provide certainty for families, workers, and small businesses who depend on a stable government.”

With today’s vote, the House has now funded 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, accounting for approximately 96 percent of federal government operations. This progress represents a meaningful return to regular order and reflects a commitment to governing responsibly.

“This is what Texans expect. Passing individual funding bills, exercising oversight, and ensuring the government continues to operate without unnecessary disruption,” Carter said. “That is how Congress is meant to function.”

Carter noted that work remains on the final Homeland Security appropriations bill, which funds critical agencies including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and FEMA.

“That final bill is important,” Carter said. “It supports border security, disaster response, aviation safety, and the men and women who protect the public every day. Those responsibilities cannot be put on hold.”

House Republicans have urged the Senate and the White House to continue negotiations in good faith to complete the remaining funding without delay.

Carter Secures $775,840 for Gatesville's Water Infrastructure Project Funding will support improvements to Hughes Elected Water Storage Tank

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Carter Secures $775,840 for Gatesville's Water Infrastructure Project Funding will support improvements to Hughes Elected Water Storage Tank

GATESVILLE, TX— Congressman John Carter announced $775,840 in Community Project Funding (CPF) to support upgrades to the Hughes Elevated Water Storage Tank, a critical infrastructure project for the Gatesville community.

The funding was secured through the federal appropriations process and signed into law. The project will help strengthen local water infrastructure, improve reliability, and support the long-term needs of Gatesville residents and businesses.

“Access to safe, reliable water is essential to any strong community,”said Congressman Carter. “This project reflects what can happen when local leaders identify real needs and we work together to deliver results.”

Carter has been a leading advocate for securing federal support for priority projects across Central Texas and worked closely with local partners to advance this project through the Community Project Funding process.

“We sincerely appreciate Congressman Carter’s efforts to ensure the City of Gatesville continues to provide abundant, clean drinking water to our city and surrounding communities,”said Bradford Hunt, City Manager.“As we look at our infrastructure needs and the attendant cost to maintain and improve our services, this appropriation for the rehabilitation of the Hughes Elevated Storage Tank helps offset future rate increases for our water customers.”

Representative John Carter Supports FY26 Appropriations Package Restoring Regular Order and Advancing America First Priorities

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman John “Judge” Carter (TX-31) voted in favor of the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment appropriations package, advancing a return to regular order in Congress and ensuring responsible, full-year funding for essential government operations.

“This legislation reflects a deliberate, transparent process that respects Congress’s constitutional responsibility over federal spending,” said Rep. Carter. “Passing full-year appropriations bills through regular order provides stability, accountability, and certainty for the American people.”

By voting in favor of this bill the House took a key step to fully fund key agencies through the end of the fiscal year. The package supports priorities important to Texas and the nation, including strengthening national security, restoring American energy leadership, and equipping law enforcement with the resources needed to combat fentanyl trafficking and violent crime. It includes investments in grid security, critical minerals, geothermal energy, and the continued modernization of the nation’s nuclear deterrence.

Additionally, the legislation provides funding for responsible management of public lands, wildland firefighting, tribal public safety initiatives, and national parks, while preserving longstanding protections for the Second Amendment and preventing taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions.

“This is responsible governance,” Carter added. “By avoiding last-minute omnibus bills and passing full-year appropriations, Congress is doing its job and delivering results for the American people.”

Rep. Carter Leads Letter Calling for Inspector General Investigation into Handling of Army Physician Case

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) Representative John Carter (TX-31), Co-Chairman of the House Army Caucus, led a letter along with Senators Cornyn and Cruz, and Representative August Pfluger (TX-11), calling for an Inspector General to conduct an independent investigation into the handling of disturbing allegations involving Major Blaine McGraw.

“As a former judge and Co-Chair of the House Army Caucus, I find the allegations against Major McGraw to be an egregious breach of the trust placed in him and the oversight failures that allowed him to continue practicing are equally alarming,” said Congressman Carter. “The Inspector General must conduct a thorough, independent investigation to determine how this individual was able to continue victimizing Soldiers and their families. I expect this matter to be handled swiftly and with the utmost respect for the survivors, and I will be closely monitoring the findings to ensure that decisive steps are taken to prevent this from ever happening again.”

“The Army and Department of War Inspector Generals must conduct an investigation into the systemic failures that allowed Major Blaine McGraw to continue in his capacity amidst multiple accusations of egregious sexual misconduct,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The allegations made against Major McGraw and how they were mishandled warrant a thorough investigation, and I implore the Army and the Department to promptly look into this matter, bring justice to his countless victims, and work to prevent another failing in the future.”

A copy of the letter can be found below or by clicking here.

Dear Lieutenant General Brady,

I am writing to request immediate and comprehensive action regarding the deeply disturbing allegations involving Major McGraw, a former Army physician in Texas. The reports indicating widespread misconduct toward service members and military families raise profound concerns about clinical oversight, command accountability, and the integrity of the military health system.

These accusations do not reflect isolated lapses; they point to potential long-term failures. Because the alleged conduct may have occurred over an extended period and across multiple duty stations, it is imperative that any review extends far beyond a routine internal inquiry.

I urge you to ensure that the Department of War initiates an independent, thorough investigation into both Major McGraw’s actions and the Army’s handling of prior complaints or warning signs. This review must safeguard patient privacy, protect potential victims, and evaluate whether pathways for reporting medical misconduct were available and effective.

In addition, I request that the Department of War Office of Inspector General promptly examine how clinical, command, and Defense Health Agency oversight structures failed to identify and intervene in this case. A transparent assessment of systemic shortcomings, and actionable recommendations to strengthen standards of care and accountability will be essential to restoring trust within the military community.

To support the Department’s review and to ensure transparency for those affected, I request answers to the following questions:

Will the Department ensure a comprehensive investigation into all allegations involving Major McGraw, including an assessment of the Army command climate, supervisory actions, and compliance with applicable medical and reporting policies at each installation where he served?
What trauma-informed resources, victim assistance programs, and behavioral health services will the Department and the Army make available to former patients and their families during the investigative process?
Has the Department notified the Texas Medical Board or other relevant state licensing authorities of Major McGraw’s suspension and the ongoing criminal investigation? If not, when will such notification occur?
Will the Department commit to identifying any systemic or oversight failures that enabled this alleged misconduct, and provide a plan for implementing corrective actions to prevent similar breakdowns in the future?
Will the Department review oversight, supervision, and reporting requirements within Defense Health Agency Graduate Medical Education programs to ensure trainees are appropriately monitored and patient safety is protected?
Will the Department review the conduct and reporting actions of medical supervisors and personnel who worked with Major McGraw to determine whether they fulfilled their obligations under Army and DoW policy?
What policies, reporting pathways, and oversight mechanisms will the Department and the DoW Inspector General review to ensure that patients who experience misconduct by military medical providers can report concerns safely and with confidence that their complaints will be addressed.

The men and women served by the military health system deserve confidence that their care is provided in an environment that prioritizes safety, accountability, and professionalism. I appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and request to be kept informed of the Department’s findings and next steps.

House Republicans Restore Order: Congress Passes Clean Funding Extension and Full-Year Appropriations Bills to Reopen Government

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, with a vote of 222 to 209.

After a damaging and unnecessary shutdown that lasted 43 days, a funding extension that House Republicans called for and passed in September is finally headed to President Trump’s desk. Senate Democrats voted against this clean, nonpartisan measure 15 times over the course of the six weeks they held the government hostage.

In addition to the continuing resolution, Congress approved three full-year appropriations bills covering the Legislative Branch, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Passage of this first tranche of bills is strong Article I progress for Appropriators, who have already advanced all twelve bills through the full committee. With the rest of the federal government now funded through January 30, 2026, the Appropriations Committee will continue working to move our remaining nine full-year bills across both chambers. This regular order momentum ends the era of backroom omnibus deals and puts taxpayers first.

While Democrat leadership and their progressive caucus determined that inflicting pain on the American people was their pathway forward, reason overturned their obstruction in the end. Republicans acted responsibly and stood with the nation from the start. Now, the Democrat shutdown is behind us, and Congress can refocus on the work the American people expect and deserve.

Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, "History reminds us that shutdowns never change the outcome – only the cost paid by the American people. This Democrat-led crisis proved just that. Minority Leaders Jeffries and Schumer have inflicted real pain across the nation for weeks. And for what? The funding extension we passed today reflects our position from the start. Democrats manufactured chaos, delayed paychecks, and disrupted vital services – only to end up exactly where Republicans, President Trump, and the American people said we should be all along. Forty-three days later, they gained nothing but the damage they caused: missed paychecks, lapsed nutrition assistance, stalled programs, and shaken public trust. Today, that ends. We’re reopening government, restoring stability, and continuing the hard work of delivering full-year appropriations through a transparent, line-by-line process. I hope Democrats remember this lesson: true courage is taking responsible action for the nation even when politics makes it inconvenient."

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) said, "For 43 days, Americans unnecessarily suffered because Democrats wanted to use them as leverage in a twisted political game. The legislation we passed today ends that suffering and responsibly reopens the government. It provides a runway to negotiate the other bills that need to be completed while providing year-long certainty for America’s veterans to access mental health services, medical care, and homelessness programs. I applaud Chairman Cole for his endless work to get us to this point and commitment to return to regular order. I hope as we face the January deadline, Democrats think long and hard about the impacts of their actions and instead choose to responsibly work with Republicans to tackle the remaining funding bills quickly."

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) said, "Millions of Americans have suffered unnecessarily because the Democrats refused to reopen the government – including those who depend on SNAP benefits, federal workers, border patrol agents, and our troops who were uncertain about their next paycheck. This legislation provides critical funding to support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities and it ensures both USDA and FDA can safeguard our nation’s food and drug supply. Republicans have effectively locked in disciplined, flat spending levels while supporting the Trump Administration’s policy priorities and I thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process."

Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao (R-CA) said, "For over 40 days, Congressional Democrats have held our country hostage, and today I was proud to vote to reopen the government and return to regular order. As Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I’m pleased that this bill strengthens Capitol security by increasing funding for sworn officers and staff, maintains the historic U.S. Capitol complex, and reopens our nation’s institutions to students, families, and visitors from across the nation. I want to thank Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process and look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to deliver the rest of the full-year funding bills for the American people."

Clean, Nonpartisan Funding Extension

This clean and straightforward short-term CR – free of poison pills – simply extends funding until January 30.
The bill represents our original position, underscoring that Democrats have gained nothing during this shutdown other than wreaking havoc on the American people.
It reopens government and blocks any Democrat attempt of a bloated, last-minute mega-omnibus bill right before Christmas.
It supports a return to regular order and continued work in advancing full-year FY26 bills.
Importantly, it includes no partisan demands, including far-left attempts to restrict presidential authority.
Republicans held the line and proved what we’ve been saying since the start of this shameful charade: the people’s government is not a pawn for leverage or political extortion.

A Return to Regular Order

There is no better way to end the cycle of shutdown threats than to pass and have President Trump sign into law full-year FY26 appropriations bills.
Continuing progress on this front was the very purpose of the initial funding extension the House passed in September.
We wanted to keep the government open to provide more time to pass full-year appropriations and allow for bipartisan, bicameral policy conversations.
This reflects the Republican commitment to restoring a transparent, orderly approach to funding the government.
Before Democrats forced this shutdown, we had made real, measurable progress on FY26 appropriations – and the House moved to conference with the Senate on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch bills.
This marked the first time since Fiscal Year 2019 that regular appropriations bills advanced to conference, demonstrating real progress in restoring regular order.
Appropriators acted decisively and began a member-driven process to finalize those bills.
This is a notable and important change from backroom, bloated omnibus deals that sideline rank-and-file members and ignore the will of the American people.
Even though Democrat leadership undermined this legislative process and squandered time that should have been utilized on passing and conferencing more bills, Republican Appropriators refused to back down in their commitment to delivering full-year appropriations, restoring regular order, and ending the shutdown Democrats chose.

Making Appropriations Great Again

Our regular order efforts and conference committee determination paid off.
This legislation includes three bipartisan, bicameral full-year appropriations measures, covering the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Legislative Branch; and Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration divisions.
These three bills have been negotiated between the two chambers and reflect a final, full, and bipartisan agreement.
They are products that implement Trump Administration priorities, reflect fiscal restraint, and implement stable funding for critical agencies.
The Appropriations Committee proved that we can be disciplined and hold spending levels effectively flat while delivering for American taxpayers.
As a united conference, we are upholding our Article I duties while executing the America First agenda.
These bills represent more than 10% of discretionary spending – funding that can no longer be taken hostage if Democrats irresponsibly choose to shut down the government again.
Taken as a whole, these bills support America’s veterans, farmers, and agriculture, and keep government working for our constituents.

Washington Examiner: Shutdown frustrates GOP appropriations cardinals as standoff freezes funding process

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

House GOP appropriators are growing frustrated with the duration of the government shutdown, arguing they cannot do their jobs and will not bring the remaining full-year funding bills to the floor until the government reopens.

All 12 appropriations cardinals told the Washington Examiner they are concerned about the time being lost as the shutdown carries on. Friday marks 17 days since the shutdown began, and the continuing resolution to reopen the government only punts the funding deadline to Nov. 21.

With that date fast approaching, appropriators are aware they may need to negotiate a new deadline with their Senate Republican colleagues and Democratic counterparts that would allow the appropriators to move forward with their work. However, they said that particular duty rests with Senate Democrats, who have “wasted over two weeks” of negotiations by blocking the GOP’s CR a total of 10 times since the bill arrived in the upper chamber.

“Every day that goes by, we waste lots of valuable time for finishing out our work as appropriators, whatever that may be: our individual bills or some sort of minibus, and even other options that are being talked about after the government shut down, if we get into any or requests that a lot of us are interested in doing,” Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) said. “But that’s all a separate conversation until we get the government open,” he continued.

The House has passed three appropriations bills: Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Energy and Water, and Defense. All 12 have passed out of the Appropriations Committee, but several were expected to face pushback from both parties prior to the shutdown and never made it to the floor for a vote before the Sept. 30 fiscal year deadline.

Valadao, the Legislative Branch subcommittee’s cardinal, or chairman, said it was frustrating to head into a shutdown when he believed the committee was making “a lot of progress” with Senate Republicans and Democratic appropriators in both chambers, especially on his bill.

He said now, everything is on pause because of the shutdown.

Appropriators are stalled as Democrats hold up CR

While the Senate is calling vote after vote on the GOP CR, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has kept thelower chamber on recess since it passed the spending deal on Sept. 19.
Though some Republicans and all Democrats have called on Johnson to bring back the House and havediscussions on appropriations and other topics, the speaker has repeatedly stated that the House “did itsjob,” and he, too, is frustrated that the government is at a standstill.

“People are upset. I’m upset. I’m a very patient man, but I am angry right now,” Johnson said last week during one of the
many press conferences he has held since the start of the shutdown.

House leadership has been adamant that there is no reason to bring the House back because they passed the clean CR, which would reopen negotiations on appropriations bills. With the shutdown still going on, leaders and appropriations cardinals are insistent that there’s nothing they can do but wait.

“What would help appropriators are colleagues who recognize our fundamental duty to uphold our Article I responsibilities,” Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV), cardinal of Homeland Security appropriations, said. “If they can’t see how damaging a shutdown is to the American people, we’re not going to get very far.”

Johnson has been calling for Congress to return to an “old-school” funding process, where the House and Senate would go to conference on funding. In early October, he told Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, directly that he’d facilitate bipartisan negotiations on funding bills, but only once the government opens.

Meanwhile, Democrats have been loath to accept any verbal agreements, instead using the CR fight to demand Republicans permanently extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. However, several cardinal snoted that extending the ACA tax credits is not the role of appropriations, so in their view, it doesn’t belong in this funding fight.

Valadao and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), cardinal of Commerce appropriations, said prior to the shutdown, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins were getting along great with Murray and ranking member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). Everyone had a seat at the table, he said, and things were moving in the right direction.
“And the Democrats moved the goal post, and a clean CR wasn’t good enough for them anymore,” Valadao said.

Republicans throw support behind CR as means to an end

CRs rarely get full Republican support, especially from fiscal hawks who want to see less spending and more rooting out of “waste, fraud, and abuse” in the federal government. But only two Republicans voted against the CR, with a rare display of unity between the conservative Freedom Caucus and House GOP leadership. The caucus has said during the shutdown it is “100% behind” Johnson and has supported the passage of a clean CR, a move that may have been unthinkable in previous funding battles.

“Obviously we are waiting to hear what the Senate does and hopefully the Senate Democrats decide to change their mind and reopen the government, but until then, the Republicans are standing together and just waiting for the Democrats to reopen the government so we can get down to the negotiations we need to do to pass our appropriations bills and all the other issues in Congress,” said Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), chairman of the Freedom Caucus and cardinal of Agriculture appropriations.

Appropriators themselves do not prefer CRs, preferring to pass the 12 bills as their committee is instructed. But, as Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) noted, the CR is just a vessel that will help appropriators restore “regular order” to the government by giving the cardinals more time to do their work.

“This is one of the cleanest CRs I have ever seen,” Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), cardinal of Interior appropriations, said. “Passing a short-term funding extension brings us one step closer to restoring regular funding, but unfortunately, Democrats do not want that.”

“All of this could be solved if Democrats would just stop the partisan politics,” Rep. John Carter (R-TX), cardinal of Veterans Affairs appropriations, echoed.

Many appropriators noted that the 12 subcommittees had already done their work, so when the government reopened, they could move forward swiftly to get all of the bills to President Donald Trump’s desk.

“The whole reason the House did not waste time and took action to pass the clean, nonpartisan CR on September 19 was to avoid a pointless government shutdown and allow us plenty of time before November 21 to get all the appropriations bills done,” Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), cardinal of Energy and Water appropriations, said.

“The more time they waste, the worse things get for the American people,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR),cardinal of Transportation appropriations, echoed.

Does the House need to move the CR date?

As time inches closer to the Nov. 21 deadline, the House will be under pressure to address the three-bill minibus sent over by the Senate and get its nine other bills over the finish line.
Valadao said he thinks he could meet the Nov. 21 deadline for his Legislative Branch bill. However, other larger bills, like Labor/Health and Human Services, will likely take more time and could require a new CR date.

“We cannot negotiate anything with the government closed,” Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), cardinal of National Security appropriations, said. “If Chuck Schumer reopens the government, we could start moving the first bills today.”

During the shutdown, there have been no hearings in the House or bills brought to the floor. Johnson has said there’s no point in bringing Republicans back to Capitol Hill if they hold up their end of the situation.

In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) attempted to move forward with a vote on a full-year Defense appropriations bill on Thursday to gain some favor with Senate Democrats on the edge about the shutdown. But the motion failed to reach the 60-vote filibuster, and the bill has stalled.

The bill’s defeat in the Senate certainly doesn’t help the argument that the House should come back and hold hearings or votes on appropriations. Appropriators don’t even think bringing the House back would be helpful.

“We finished moving all 12 bills out of committee before we left in [September]. So, there’s really no reason to have more hearings now,” Valadao said. “Staff can work during a normal shutdown, or when we’re getting close to a government shutdown, appropriation staff is very active. But since the House already sent a bill to the Senate, a clean CR, there’s nothing we can do.”

Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Robert Aderholt (R-AL), cardinals of Defense and Labor/HHS appropriations, respectively, said the work of appropriations cardinals “never stops.” Staffers are monitoring agency operations, tracking the shutdown’s impact, and addressing the close of fiscal year 2025. He dismissed the need for a new CR date as of now.

“Our work hasn’t stopped, and we’re ready to move the moment the Senate acts. We don’t need a new CR date; we need the Senate to function,” Aderholt said.

Rep. Carter's Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act Passes House

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Representative John Carter's (TX-31) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act passed the House this afternoon, 218-206.

“I’m proud that the House has passed the first FY26 appropriations bill—my Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill—which reflects House Republicans’ commitment to taking care of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families," said Subcommittee Chairman John Carter. "This legislation invests in critical infrastructure, such as barracks and child development centers, and fully funds veterans' healthcare, with a significant focus on mental health services and housing programs that our veterans have earned. As Chairman of the subcommittee, I will continue fighting to ensure those who serve our nation have the support they deserve, and I know my colleagues who voted in favor today share that same commitment. I want to sincerely thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and focus on getting solid bills across the finish line.”

Key Takeaways

Champions our veterans by:

Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.
Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
Supporting President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.
Maintaining funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans.

Supports the Trump Administration and the mandate of the American people by:

Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans, preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.
Syncing up with President Trump’s Executive Orders on no funds for DEI, gender affirming care, and protecting Hyde-like language at the VA.
Prohibiting the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

Providing robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region, and infrastructure necessary to support the United States' advanced weapons systems.
Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.
Prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People’s Republic of China.

A summary of the bill, before adoption of amendments, is available here.

Bill text, before adoption of amendments, is available here.

Bill report, before adoption of amendments, is available here.