WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped the Senate Appropriations Committee pass the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This bipartisan legislation provides funding to improve critical infrastructure at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, upgrades that are necessary to support basing of the recently announced 21 F-15EX fighters, as well as the 12 KC-46A tankers Peters helped secure in January 2024. The legislation also includes critical provisions secured by Peters to support our nation’s veterans. The bill now advances to the full Senate.
“Michigan is thrilled to bring home two new missions to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in the coming years, and I’m proud this bill will help us make critical upgrades needed to welcome those missions to the base,” said Senator Peters. “This bill also takes important steps to make good on our commitment to our nation’s veterans and ensure they can access the VA health care, benefits, and workforce opportunities they earned.”
The bill includes numerous measures led and supported by Peters, including:
Supporting New Missions at Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Expanding Runway Infrastructure: Peters secured $10 million in the bill to support runway improvements at Selfridge. This project will help address encroachment issues at the South end of the runway, improve safety and efficiency of operations, and help support the basing of future missions at Selfridge including the KC-46 tankers and F-15EX fighter jets that were announced for Selfridge following years of persistent work and advocacy by Peters.
Accelerating Air Force Site Preparation: The bill includes $10 million in funding to help accelerate basing of the F-15EX fighters at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. This includes projects identified by the Air Force’s Site Activation Task Force, including site preparation, facility design, and operational support. This funding is critical to ensure Selfridge is ready for the recently announced 21 new F-15EX fighters.
Fulfilling Our Sacred Obligation to Our Nation’s Veterans
Infrastructure Upgrades for State Veterans Homes: The bill includes $171 million for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program, which allows states to make critical facility upgrades or construct new facilities to serve aging veteran populations at state-operated facilities. Peters has consistently advocated for the program, and helped secure a $56.7 million investment needed to begin construction of the new D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette Township.
Modernizing the VA Electronic Health Record System: The bill includes $3.5 billion to support the rollout of the Federal Electronic Health Record System at 13 VA medical facilities, including 4 sites in Michigan; the VA Battle Creek Medical Center, VA Detroit Healthcare System, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and VA Saginaw Healthcare System. The bill also includes language to help ensure this modernization process will not impact patient care, safety, or health care provider performance.
Expanding Veteran Apprenticeship Opportunities Established by Peters’ Law: The bill requires the VA to report to Congress within 180 days regarding its efforts to develop a veterans apprenticeship website. Peters has previously supported the establishment of a user-friendly veterans-specific website to encourage greater utilization of apprenticeships among veterans. Peters’ Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act – which was signed into law in 2020 – expands apprenticeship opportunities for veterans by increasing veterans’ access to financial assistance that they can use in connection with an apprenticeship program. The appropriations bill Peters helped advance out of committee would require the VA to report on actions it has taken with state approving agencies to establish this website to increase awareness and utilization of apprenticeships for veterans.
Outreach Improvement for Discharge Review Board: Peters secured language in the bill directing the VA to report to Congress on its efforts to ensure veterans are aware of the discharge review board petition process. It also directs the VA to provide recommendations to further enhance this outreach, including through enhanced coordination with the DOD via the already existing VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee. This provision recognizes the importance of ensuring that veterans who may have been erroneously given a less than honorable discharge from the military, due to behaviors resulting from traumas such as PTSD, TBI, or military sexual trauma (MST), are aware of the opportunity to upgrade their service discharge status by petitioning to a Discharge Review Board, which each military service operates. Such petitions, if successful, can allow veterans greater access to earned VA benefits. This provision builds on Peters’ Fairness for Veterans Act signed into law in 2016, which encouraged robust consideration of discharge status upgrade petitions from veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or related conditions in connection with their military service. The law also extends this policy to PTSD or TBI that is related to military sexual trauma.
GI Bill Eligibility for Cannabis Careers: The VA recently updated its policy to no longer allow GI Bill benefits to be used by veterans for courses or job training related to careers in the cannabis industry. Peters’ secured language in the bill expressing concern about the VA restricting the use of veterans’ benefits and requiring the VA to report to Congress within 90 days on the impact of this policy change, which is prohibiting veterans from using their hard-earned benefits to further their education or careers. Peters also voted in favor of a successfully adopted amendment to the bill that will ensure VA doctors can recommend medical marijuana to patients in states where it is legal.
Strengthening VA Communication in Response to Tragic Death of Michigan Veteran: During an Appropriations Committee hearing last year, Peters underscored the importance of a VA Inspector General investigation related to the tragic death of Ian Fishback, a Michigan veteran. Following Fishback’s death, the VA created an Interagency Reconciliation Council to improve communication surrounding care for reservists, national guard members, and transitioning servicemembers. However, as of 2024, the Council had not identified or taken steps beyond information sharing to improve communication. This bill includes a provision Peters secured requiring the VA to report within 180 what actions have been taken by the Interagency Reconciliation Council, including any additional resources or authorities that are needed to fully effectuate its purpose and prevent tragedies like Ian Fishback’s from happening again.
Honoring Our PACT Act: The bill provides a $22.2 billion funding increase for the Toxic Exposures Fund made available by the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which Peters helped enact to ensure all-generations of toxic-exposed veterans can receive critical VA health care and benefits. As of June 2025, more than 57,000 Michigan veterans and more than 2.6 million veterans across the country have applied for expanded VA benefits through the PACT Act.
Improving Transparency of VA Casework Backlog: The bill includes language Peters secured requiring the VA to submit a report to the Senate Appropriations Committee within 180 Days on the average processing times for VA claims and appeals, including those related to the PACT Act. The report will also seek to identify where in the process delays are occurring, potential personnel shortfalls, and employee training that could be improved upon to increase accuracy and efficiency in claims decisions. Peters’ provision comes in response to feedback from numerous veterans whose recent casework requests have taken longer than the expected review time.
Maintaining Adequate VA Staffing Levels, Improving Patient Wait Times: Peters secured language in the bill requiring the VA to maintain adequate staffing levels, which will help the department meet its goal of processing benefit claims within 125 days. The provision will also ensure that healthcare appointments and services are provided within timeframes required by statute and regulation.
Establishing VA Diabetes Center for Excellence: The bill includes a provision Peters secured that would support establishing a Diabetes Center of Excellence to focus on improving treatment and outcomes for veterans with diabetes. The Center would conduct research and other activities to develop best treatment and prevention practices within the VA. Currently, one in four veterans suffer from diabetes and the VA spends more than $1.5 billion annually to treat patients with type 2 diabetes.
Improving Care for Veteran Amputees: Peters secured language in the bill recognizing the urgent issue that veterans who have lost limbs while serving continue to fall through the cracks due to a lack of specific resources for care coordination. The provision Peters secured encourages the VA to strengthen its system of care by providing enhanced care coordination services.
Strengthening Rural Veteran Health Care: The bill includes funding to strengthen access to health care for veterans living in rural areas, including by expanding access to telehealth services.
Supporting VA Caregivers: The bill would provide robust funding to support VA caregivers who provide critical care to veterans who require assistance for daily living as a result of injuries or trauma from their service.
Expanding Quality, Affordable Housing for Servicemembers: The bill would significantly expand construction for new family housing as well as upgrade existing housing units. The bill would also support the construction of child development centers, high schools, medical facilities, and servicemember housing to support servicemembers and their families. The bill would support the development of more than a dozen barracks to increase housing availability for unaccompanied servicemembers.
Reducing Veteran Homelessness: The bill works to reduce homelessness among veterans and their families by providing funding for housing assistance and other support services.
Expanding Child Care Access for Veterans: The bill would provide funding to expand access to child care for veterans who must attend medical appointments, including funding to support the VA’s work to establish drop-in child care centers.
