S.Hrg.119-70

1[Senate Hearing 119-70]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                         S. Hrg. 119-7056     MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES7                  APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 202689=======================================================================1011                                HEARINGS1213                                before a1415                          SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE1617            COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE1819                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2021                             FIRST SESSION2223                                   on2425                               H.R. 39442627  MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF28   VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING29               SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES3031                               __________3233                         Department of Defense34                     Department of Veterans Affairs3536                               __________3738         Printed for the use of the Committee on Appropriations3940               [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]4142       Available via the World Wide Web: https://www.govinfo.gov4344                               __________4546                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE474860-276 PDF                WASHINGTON : 20264950                      COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS5152                     SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine, Chair5354MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky            PATTY MURRAY, Washington,  Vice55LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska                   Chair56LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina       RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois57JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  JACK REED, Rhode Island58JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota            JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire59JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas               JEFF MERKLEY, Oregon60SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware61JOHN KENNEDY, Louisiana              BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii62CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi        TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin63BILL HAGERTY, Tennessee              CHRISTOPHER MURPHY, Connecticut64KATIE BOYD BRITT, Alabama            CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, Maryland65MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma           MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico66DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                GARY C. PETERS, Michigan67MIKE ROUNDS, South Dakota            KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York68                                     JON OSSOFF, Georgia6970                  Elizabeth McDonnell, Staff Director71                  Evan Schatz, Minority Staff Director7273                                 ------7475 Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related76                                Agencies7778                    JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas, Chairman7980MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky            JON OSSOFF, Georigia, Ranking81LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska               PATTY MURRAY, Washington, (ex82JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota                officio)83SUSAN M. COLLINS, Maine, (ex         JACK REED, Rhode Island84    officio)                         BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii85BILL HAGERTY, Tennessee              TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin86DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico87MIKE ROUNDS, South Dakota            GARY PETERS, Michigan88CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi        KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York8990                           Professional Staff9192                            Patrick Magnuson93                            Jennifer Bastin9495                     Michelle Dominguez (Minority)96                         Brad Allen (Minority)97                      Gabriella Armonda (Minority)9899                         Administrative Support100101                               Teddy Coes102103                            C O N T E N T S104105                              ----------106107                                hearings108109                         Tuesday, June 17, 2025110111                                                                   Page112113Department of Defense:114    Military Construction and Family Housing.....................     1115116                         Tuesday, June 24, 2025117118Department of Veterans Affairs...................................    55119                              ----------120121                              back matter122123List of Witnesses, Communications, and Prepared Statements.......   107124125Subject Index:126127    Department of Defense: Military Construction and Family128      Housing....................................................   109129130    Department of Veterans Affairs...............................   110131132   MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES133                  APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026134135                              ----------136137                         TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025138139                                       U.S. Senate,140           Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,141                                                    Washington, DC.142    The subcommittee met at 10:31 a.m. in Room SD-124, Dirksen143Senate Office Building, Hon. John Boozman (chairman) presiding.144    Present: Senators Boozman, Murkowski, Hoeven, Hyde-Smith,145Ossoff, Baldwin, and Gillibrand.146147                         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE148149                Military Construction and Family Housing150151STATEMENT OF HON. DALE MARKS, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF152            DEFENSE FOR ENERGY, INSTALLATIONS, AND153            ENVIRONMENT154155               opening statement of senator john boozman156157    Senator Boozman. Good morning. And the subcommittee will158come to order.159    First, I would like to welcome Ranking Member Ossoff, and160congratulate him on the birth of his second daughter, Lila. I161have got three daughters, lots of drama at my house.162    [Laughter.]163    Senator Boozman. I look forward to working with you on the164subcommittee. And again, we just want to welcome you.165    We meet today to discuss the President's fiscal year 2026166Budget Request for Military Construction and Family Housing for167the Department of Defense.168    I would like to begin by recognizing today's panel. Today,169we will hear from representatives of the Military Services as170well as the Office of the Secretary of Defense.171    Joining us are: The Honorable Dale Marks, Assistant172Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and173Environment; Lieutenant General David Wilson, Army Deputy Chief174of Staff, G-9; Vice Admiral Jeffrey Jablon, Deputy Chief of175Naval Operations for Installations and Logistics; Lieutenant176General Stephen [Sel-en-ka]--Sklenka--I am sorry--Deputy177Commandant for Installations and Logistics; Lieutenant General178Tom Miller, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics,179Engineering, and Force Protection, who is approaching180retirement after 34 years of service. General, thank you so181much for your many years of service, and we certainly wish you182well in your retirement. I am sure we will be hearing more from183you someplace, but again, we do appreciate you very, very much.184Brigadier General Zachary Warakomski, Space Force Assistant185Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and186Nuclear.187    This year's MILCON request is $18.9 billion, a figure we188only recently received due to significant delays in the189delivery of the budget to Congress. We, on the subcommittee,190look forward to receiving the justification books and related191exhibits, which still have not been delivered but are expected192later this month.193    From the data currently available, we know this request is194an increase of $1.4 billion over the fiscal year 2025 enacted195levels. While I am encouraged to see another year of growth in196the MILCON request, I remain concerned that we are not197necessarily buying more, we are simply paying more.198    Some of these budget numbers are staggering. Not that long199ago, hitting the $100 million mark on a single project was200significant. Now, it has become routine. Increments, once the201exception, are increasingly the norm, accounting for nearly $6202billion in this year's request. That is more than 40 projects203so costly they require incremental funding over multiple years.204    That may seem normal now, but this was not always the case.205Multi-billion-dollar recapitalization efforts, combined with206the increasing complexity of facilities needed to support207today's weapon systems, are resulting in larger and more208complex projects. At the same time, inflation and other209economic pressures continue to escalate costs. This trajectory210is not sustainable, and future budget requests can't continue211absorbing these rising costs.212    To that end, I am encouraged by the conversations taking213place within the Department that are examining the full range214of factors, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws that215affect MILCON and its associated costs. Some of these are216established by Congress, others stem from DOD policy, and some217may be self-imposed. As such, the effort required to drive218meaningful changes will vary, but I am hopeful these219discussions will lead to thoughtful analysis, honest dialogue,220and ultimately, real improvements in the efficiency of the221MILCON process.222    Some of this will require close collaboration between223Congress and the Department, and I am committed to being a224partner in that effort. There will always be factors beyond225your control, which makes managing the areas you control all226the more critical.227    The recent injunction reinstating Project Labor Agreement228requirements is a clear example of how external influences can229introduce uncertainty and added cost into the MILCON process,230costs that are especially difficult to anticipate given how231long the current planning, programming, and budgeting cycles232take. I hope one outcome of the ongoing review directed by the233Deputy Secretary of Defense is a faster time line from project234inception to final delivery.235    As a critical Force enabler, MILCON supports everything236from infrastructure tied to new weapons platforms to quality-237of-life facilities like hospitals, schools, and housing. We owe238it to the service members and the taxpayer to deliver timely,239high-quality facilities, on schedule, and within budget, and I240hope that future budget requests reflect efficiencies that241lower the cost of individual projects.242    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today and243continuing the dialogue and work needed for a successful MILCON244program.245    Before we turn to our witnesses, I would like to recognize246my colleague, Senator Ossoff, for his opening remarks.247248                    statement of senator jon ossoff249250    Senator Ossoff. Good morning, and thank you very much,251Chairman Boozman. Thank you for your partnership. I look252forward to the important bipartisan work we will do together253leading this subcommittee. I also want to thank you for your254kind words celebrating Lila's arrival. And I am pleased to255report, Mr. Chairman, that baby and mother are both healthy. So256thank you for the well wishes.257    To our witnesses, thank you for being here. Thank you for258your service to the Nation. I do want to note that, General259Sklenka, and General Warakomski, we have two Georgians on the260panel, from Marietta and Snellville. So we are proud of you and261your work, and it is great to be here at my first MILCON-VA262hearing as the subcommittee's ranking member to review the263fiscal year 2026 budget request for Military Construction and264Family Housing.265    The Military Construction budget is essential to our266national security, to the capabilities and resilience of267military installations across the country and around the world,268and to the quality of life for service members and military269families.270    Georgia, of course, is home to 13 defense installations271vital to our national security and home to some of the Nation's272most important missions and capabilities, including key Air273Force missions at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, and274Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta; the Maneuver Center of275Excellence at Fort Benning, outside of Columbus; Naval276Submarine Base Kings Bay, on Georgia's coast; Fort Stewart,277home of the 3rd ID; Fort Gordon, home of the Army Signal Corps278and the Cyber Center of Excellence, where they also host a279vital NSA facility; Hunter Army Airfield, which hosts elite280U.S. Army Ranger and aviation elements; the Marine Corps281Logistics Base in Albany; Combat Readiness Training Center in282Savannah; and more.283    And through this subcommittee, I will continue my work284alongside Chairman Boozman, and members on both sides of the285aisle to ensure that installations in Georgia, across the286Continental United States, and around the world are resourced287to defend our Nation, and to deliver the safety, security,288health, and quality of life deserved by our service members and289their families.290    For too long, Congress and the Department have under-291resourced facilities like child development centers, Department292of Defense schools, family housing, and barracks, plundering293the accounts that support military quality of life in order to294fund other priorities, and this persistent neglect of Military295quality of life does a disservice to those who serve, and to296their families, it is also a national security issue.297    If service members can't live, eat, train, and work in298safe, healthy, world-class facilities, our readiness is299undermined, and so is morale. And the Department's failure to300provide military families, especially junior enlisted301personnel, with the health, safety, and quality of life they302deserve undermines recruiting and retention of talented young303people to defend the United States.304    I am pleased that this year's Military Construction Budget305Request includes nearly $500 million for five important Georgia306projects in fiscal year 2026. These are projects I have307championed for years, from a new elementary school at Fort308Benning to the Trident facility at Kings Bay, and their309inclusion in this request demonstrates the critical310contributions of Georgia's installations, missions, and units311to America's national defense. I will continue working through312this subcommittee to see them through.313    In total, this year's budget requests $18.9 billion for314MILCON, a $1.4 billion increase over the current year-long CR.315We know that MILCON has historically acted as a bill payer for316other efforts within the Department and that the services have317extensive unmet needs. As I noted earlier, deferred MILCON has318contributed to service members living in dilapidated barracks,319training in insufficient facilities, and working in deficient320spaces for their missions.321    I want to note a few concerns. First of all, I note with322concern that the White House has decided to circumvent the323budget process and push $900 million of MILCON funding into the324partisan reconciliation measure. Let me be clear, MILCON in a325reconciliation bill is not MILCON Appropriations, it is a slush326fund. The nature of reconciliation is such that neither this327subcommittee nor the whole Senate will have control or328meaningful oversight of those funds.329    And it is my belief that if Congress makes the mistake of330accommodating this request, to fund Military Construction via331reconciliation rather than through the appropriations process,332we bow to executive overreach, degrade our own constitutional333authority, and drastically diminish our ability to oversee the334use of these funds.335    I am concerned that the administration intends to use those336funds, $900 million of Military Construction, through the337reconciliation process, not to upgrade defense facilities at338home and abroad, but instead to build a migrant detention339complex across Department of Defense facilities, nationwide,340and around the world, and in so doing, divert the Department's341mission from fighting and winning wars to domestic immigration342enforcement.343    Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and guardians are344warfighters, not jailers of migrants. I look forward to345engaging with the administration, Mr. Marks, to get greater346clarity on the intended purposes of those $900 million, because347if the administration does intend to fund the construction of348migrant detention facilities at Military bases using Military349Construction funds, it should include those specific plans in350its budget request.351    At minimum, the administration must provide this352subcommittee with a detailed accounting of how it intends to353use the $900 million requested for Military Construction in354reconciliation.355    A few additional concerns I would like to note. First of356all, the use and invocation of emergency authorities to justify357reprogramming of Military Construction dollars, there is a358place for the use of emergency authorities to support359reprogramming. If it becomes a habit, it can circumvent the360appropriations process.361    I will also note concern that there is a substantial362defunding of family housing accounts for the Army and the Navy,363including for programs that provide essential maintenance of364and oversight of privatized family housing. I think we all know365that privatized family housing at DOD installations is a mess.366I have spent years investigating it, heard testimony from folks367like Captain Samuel Cho in Georgia, who experienced firsthand368the effects on his daughter's health of mold and contamination369in privatized family housing at Fort Gordon.370    His eight-year-old daughter, as he testified before the371Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations here in the Senate,372developed a rash so severe that, as Captain Cho testified,373quote, ``Her skin became hardened and rough and reptilian in374nature, and when she would scratch it, it would bleed375profusely.''376    This was the eight-year-old daughter of a U.S. Army377Captain, who, because of the poor condition of housing in this378Balfour Beatty Homes development at Fort Gordon, was bleeding379when she scratched her own skin. So I am concerned that the380reduction in funds for these family housing programs could381reduce our ability to hold those contractors to a high standard382and to look out for those personnel and their families.383    I echo the Chairman in noting that we have yet to receive384the budget justifications required for us to do our jobs with385all the information that is necessary. We still do not have the386unfunded priorities lists that will allow members of Congress387to highlight projects critical to their home states that may388have been left out of the request.389    Mr. Chairman, I am looking forward to working with you on390those issues and throughout this process.391    I want to thank again, the witnesses here, for your service392to the Nation, and for being here to brief us and to answer393members' questions. I think this subcommittee is known for394rising above the fray and working in a constructive, civil, and395bipartisan manner. It is simply too important for us not to do396that.397    And I thank you again, Mr. Chairman. And look forward to398the conversation. Thank you.399    Senator Boozman. Very good. Assistant Secretary Marks, you400are recognized.401402                  summary statement of hon. dale marks403404    Mr. Marks. Thank you. Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member405Ossoff, and distinguished Members of this Subcommittee, as the406newly confirmed, on day seven, Assistant Secretary of Defense407for Energy, Installations, and Environment, I appreciate the408opportunity to discuss the President's Proposed fiscal year4092026 Budget for the Department of Defense Energy,410Installations, and Environment portfolio.411    The President and Secretary of Defense have laid out a412clear objective for the Department: Achieve peace through413strength. As the Secretary has said, the threats we face are414serious. Our investments to counter them must also be, and that415is what this budget does. I firmly believe that the strength416and lethality of our Military is built both on the weapon417systems that defend us and on the readiness of our service418members and their families to accomplish this mission.419    And make no mistake, our installations are weapon systems,420just like our ships, tanks, and planes. We must ensure that421they are postured in terms of quality, condition, and laydown422to carry out the entire spectrum of Military operations.423    But at the same time, we know that America is a target our424installations are under threat, not just from our adversaries,425but from aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and426increasingly complex operational demands. To address these427challenges, we are focusing on an installation resilience428approach that focuses squarely on military readiness and429operational capability.430    This ensures our resources directly support what matters431most, maintaining ready forces and resilient installations that432can operate effectively under any conditions. In particular, we433are focusing on infrastructure modernization and energy434resilience, operational energy security, and investing in our435innovation and research programs.436    At the same time, we recognize the resilience of our437installations is enhanced by partnering with our defense438communities, and we are making a concerted effort to work with439them on mutually beneficial initiatives that enhance440resilience, and prevent risks to national security.441    We also recognize that our service members' readiness442starts at home. We want to ensure our warfighters are able to443deliver 100 percent of their effort to their missions without444having to worry about issues with their housing or the health445and safety of their family members back home.446    The Department remains committed to ensuring that the DOD's447housing portfolio meets appropriate life, health, and safety448requirements and provides a positive living experience for449military personnel and their families. And we are continuing to450address risks to human health and the environment through our451environmental cleanup programs.452    To accomplish these goals, the Department must ensure that453we make the most efficient use of our resources and manpower.454And as such, the Secretary of Defense has issued a clear455directive to focus on eliminating waste and duplication to456enable the Department to focus on its core mission of defending457the Nation.458    EI&E is coordinating several efforts to review current459processes and regulations to create efficiencies, and reduce460costs, including a review of our MILCON and FSRM investment461portfolios, real property efficiencies, and review of our462implementation of environmental laws and regulations.463    And finally, as part of this administration's efforts to464counter China's malign actions, we continue to work with key465stakeholders across DOD's use of lands and natural resources in466Hawaii through the Hawaii Coordination Cell.467    Going forward, we have some big issues to tackle, such as468meeting Congress' directive to significantly increase our SRM469investments to at least 4 percent of plant replacement value.470And I look forward to working with the committee to address471these challenges head on, and fulfill our commitment to our472soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and guardians.473    Thank you. And I look forward to your questions.474    [The statement follows:]475                 Prepared Statement of Hon. Dale Marks476                              introduction477    Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff, and distinguished members478of the subcommittee: Thank you for the opportunity to provide a program479update for the Department of Defense's (DoD) energy, installations, and480environment portfolio. As the newly confirmed Assistant Secretary of481Defense for Energy, Installations & Environment, I am grateful for this482opportunity to continue serving this Nation and its men and women in483uniform. I am committed to providing our Armed Forces with the484capabilities needed to defend and protect our Homeland and I look485forward to working with this Committee in the coming months to ensure486our installations are postured to support the President's and Secretary487of Defense's focus on ensuring the U.S. military remains the most488lethal and effective fighting force in the world.489                         overarching objectives490    The President and Secretary of Defense have laid out a clear491objective for the Department: restore peace through strength by492reviving the warrior ethos and restoring trust in our military,493rebuilding our military by matching threats to capabilities, and494reestablishing deterrence by defending our homeland. To achieve these495objectives, we must ensure our power projection platforms are postured496to maximize our Service members' lethality and defend the homeland497while remaining secure against a wide range of threats. We must be498singularly focused on developing the readiness of our forces.499    At the same time, we know that America is a target. Our adversaries500are targeting our critical defense, government, and economic501infrastructure, both inside and outside our fencelines. Every domain is502contested-air, land, sea, space, and cyber.503    Our approach to installation resilience focuses squarely on504military readiness and operational capability. When we evaluate505infrastructure improvements or assess environmental impacts, we apply506one clear standard: how does this strengthen our warfighting507capability? This mission- focused strategy ensures our resources508directly support what matters most--maintaining ready forces and509resilient installations that can operate effectively under any510conditions. We will continue to assess weather-related impacts on our511operations, mitigate weather-related risks, conduct environmental512assessments as appropriate, and improve the resilience of our513installations, but always through the lens of enhancing military514effectiveness and operational resilience.515                          supporting lethality516    Our installations are a critical force enabler, providing our517warfighters with a distinct advantage over our adversaries. They serve518as initial maneuver platforms from where the Department deploys troops519around the globe, and where it coordinates and controls various520mission-related functions for units once deployed. As such, we must521ensure that the supporting infrastructure is postured-in terms of522quality, condition, and laydown-to support the entire spectrum of523military operations.524    The hard truth is that our installations are under threat, not just525from our adversaries, but from aging infrastructure, extreme weather,526and increasingly complex operational demands. In the past decade alone,527weather-related damages have cost the Department over $15 billion. Just528last year, Hurricane Helene shut down one of our major installations529for 11 days--no power, no water, no mission capability.530    Our adversaries understand these vulnerabilities. They actively531seek to exploit our dependencies on energy and water infrastructure,532attempting to degrade our ability to deploy forces and undermine our533deterrent capabilities.534    These disruptions directly impact service member health and safety,535training, testing, equipment reliability and performance, critical536infrastructure functionality and overall force readiness and lethality.537To address these challenges, the Department is focusing on three538interconnected priorities: energy resilience and infrastructure539modernization, operational energy security, and investing in our540innovation and research programs.541    To enhance energy resilience and modernize energy infrastructure,542the Department is prioritizing investments in multiple and diverse543sources of energy for on-site generation, microgrids, energy storage,544energy efficiency upgrades, and the pursuit of innovative and resilient545technologies like small modular nuclear reactors. Continued investments546in energy efficiency through Energy Saving Performance Contracts547(ESPCs) and Utility Energy Services Contracts (UESCs) with DoD's548industry partners bolsters installation energy resilience by reducing549the installation energy demand and need for backup resources during550commercial grid disruptions.551    One of the Department's most significant energy infrastructure552investment initiatives is the Energy Resilience and Conservation553Investment Program (ERCIP). Through ERCIP, we are deploying cutting-554edge technologies, including advanced energy storage systems, next-555generation geothermal and nuclear capabilities, and sophisticated556microgrid networks--all essential to maintaining the military's557operational readiness.558    The Department must also improve its operational energy security.559In FY24 alone, the Department consumed 68 million barrels of fuel, with560a total cost of $10.7 billion and nearly half of that fuel coming from561foreign sources. The Department also invested over $3.7 billion in FY24562to enhance Operational Energy resilience, focusing on three critical563areas: modernizing our aircraft, fleets, and weapons systems for better564fuel efficiency, strengthening energy resilience at our forward565operating bases, and running sophisticated wargames to identify and fix566vulnerabilities in energy logistics and sustainment.567    The Department is revolutionizing how we plan for energy needs in568combat. Our new Resilient Logistics Operations & Analytics Demonstrator569(RELOAD) project, developed in partnership with the Defense Advanced570Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and other defense partners, is a data571analysis tool helping us understand exactly how energy constraints572could impact operations in contested environments. RELOAD will deliver573two products to DoD leadership: FY27 technology investment574recommendations that help mitigate operational risks in contested575environments and a transition decision for development of the576demonstrator prototype into an enterprise utility.577    We are also transforming our acquisition process and equipment578requirements. Every new weapon system must now meet strict energy579efficiency standards, while U.S. Transportation Command has taken580charge as our single manager for worldwide fuel distribution. These are581not just administrative changes-reducing fuel consumption extends582operational reach, and every improvement in how we use and manage583operational energy translates directly to increased combat capability.584    These efforts are underpinned by several critical innovation585programs which set the technical direction for the DoD by funding the586development and demonstration of mission-critical energy and587environment capabilities and helping them through the acquisition588process. These include the Strategic Environmental Research and589Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology590Certification Program (ESTCP), which function as the Department's591installation innovation programs that develop, demonstrate, and592validate technologies to enhance military readiness and strengthen593defense infrastructure. These programs address critical resilience594challenges, including energy security, water resource management,595extreme weather vulnerabilities, and environmental cleanup. SERDP and596ESTCP investments include cybersecure microgrids, decision support597tools, cost-effective remediation technologies, and alternatives that598reduce regulatory burdens of defense-critical chemicals. These599investments protect DoD's operational capabilities while reducing costs600across installations. Through collaboration with industry and academia,601SERDP and ESTCP ensure rapid transition of innovations from602laboratories to military installations to address both immediate603threats and long-term resilience needs for servicemembers and their604families.605    On the operational energy front, the Operational Energy Capability606Improvement Fund and the Operational Energy Prototype Fund deliver607game-changing technologies focusing on Energy Dominance (through608advanced command and control), Energy and Power Projection (through609revolutionary endurance and propulsion systems) and Energy Surety610(through next-generation storage solutions). These programs have611delivered remarkable successes, including advances in nuclear fuel612technology, wireless power transmission, and unmanned aircraft613endurance.614    Looking ahead, the Department is focusing on critical capabilities615like airborne energy delivery in contested environments, improved power616managements and enhancing energy storage.617    As the Nation's largest energy consumer, the DoD plays a unique and618critical role in our Nation's energy landscape. While our military619operations depend heavily on energy infrastructure, much of that620infrastructure lies outside our fence lines. The most powerful military621in the world relies on civilian infrastructure to train our forces,622power our bases and project power globally.623    With this vulnerability in mind, we are conducting comprehensive624assessments of our Nation's power and fuel infrastructure, focusing625particularly on coastal vulnerabilities, while simultaneously626evaluating strategic projects like the Alaska natural gas pipeline and627partnerships in artificial intelligence and data center development.628These initiatives not only align with the President's vision of629American energy dominance but ensure out military maintains the power630it needs to defend our Nation's interests at home and abroad.631  supporting defense communities and promoting compatible development632    The Department recognizes that the resilience of our installations633is enhanced by partnering with, not competing against, our defense634communities. Our defense communities are critical enablers that support635our defense installations and ensure our Service members have the636resources they need to carry out their missions. At the same time, they637face many of the same threats our installations face. We know our638adversaries are targeting supporting infrastructure like electrical639grids and water systems, and our communities are just as, if not more,640exposed to natural hazards than our installations. As such, we are641making a concerted effort to work with our defense communities on642mutually beneficial initiatives via direct support or planning while643also ensuring military operations, mission support, and warfighter644capabilities remain unimpeded and to prevent risk to national security645by incompatible development.646    Key to these efforts is the Office of Local Defense Community647Cooperation (OLDCC). OLDCC provides technical and financial assistance648to States, counties, municipalities, regions, and other communities to649foster cooperation with military installations to enhance the military650mission; achieve facility and infrastructure savings and reduced651operating costs; address encroachment and compatible land use issues;652increase military, civilian, and industrial readiness; and support653military families. OLDCC works with defense communities to further the654Secretary's priorities, ensuring their efforts help to enhance the655readiness and lethality of military installations, ranges, and test656facilities.657658    To date, OLDCC has awarded 11 grants in FY25, to include:659660  --A grant to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to work with Eielson661        Air Force Base, Fort Wainwright, the State of Alaska, and local662        utility on permitting for a natural gas pipeline, respond to663        other energy requirements, and address housing affordability664        issues.665666  --A grant to County of McMullen, Texas to design a single access road667        to the ROTHR-TX (Relocatable Over the Horizon Radar) location668        and to obtain funding to carry out improvements. These efforts669        will enhance the readiness of the McMullen Range, the only670        United States-based radar system in USSOUTHCOM's surveillance671        architecture, including enhancing detection and surveillance672        capabilities along the southern border, and strengthen mission673        readiness and lethality at Naval Air Station Kingsville.674675  --A grant to the City of Virginia Beach Department of Public676        Utilities to plan and design.677678  --1.5 miles of a new 30-inch diameter water transmission main to679        support potable water and water suppression needs at Naval Air680        Station Oceana and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort681        Story, ensuring the installations' readiness and lethality.682683  --A grant to Belle Chasse Academy, Inc., a charter school in684        Louisiana, to design, renovate, and expand current facilities.685        This project provides expanded capacity for 30-year student use686        and supports learning for the more than 650 military-connected687        students (90% of the enrollment), military families and688        warfighters, enhancing lethality and readiness by improving689        recruitment and retention.690691    OLDCC recently posted a notice forecasting its upcoming competition692for the FY25 Defense Community Infrastructure Program and looks forward693to reviewing applications from interested defense communities.694    In addition to directly supporting our defense communities, the695Department recognizes that the condition of the lands and waters on-696and off-installation affects our ability to conduct weapons system697testing, realistic live-fire training, and essential operations that698are vital to preparing a more lethal and resilient combat force.699Ensuring that the land and waters surrounding our installations are700compatible with military mission requirements is critical to ensuring701unencumbered warfighter access to lands and ranges that replicate the702operational environment in which they fight. The Readiness and703Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program provides this704assurance. REPI funds cost-sharing agreements between the Military705Services, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and706private partners to avoid or remove land use conflicts near military707installations, minimize environmental restrictions that limit military708activities, and improve the resilience of military installations, while709addressing mission-essential considerations, including flight hazards,710wildland fire resilience, drought resilience, flooding, and water711quality and quantity.712    DoD manages and maintains nearly 27 million acres of land, water,713and airspace across the United States and its territories that have the714principal purpose of supporting mission-related activities and715furthering the National defense strategy. Realistic environments are716essential to field testing new technologies and for the military to717train, which requires access to deserts, grasslands, rainforests,718tundra permafrost, coastlines, and other ecosystems. Training and719testing in varied ecosystems prepare our warfighters for any of the720challenges they may face while conducting global operations. These721lands also contain significant resources supporting our nation's722natural and cultural heritage, including resources important to723American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and724other Indigenous Peoples. DoD lands provide habitats for over 550 plant725and animal species that are federally protected under the Endangered726Species Act, contain over 130,000 recorded archaeological sites, and 41727National Historic Landmarks. Without sustained strategic investment and728management, DoD lands can be degraded or eliminated, resulting in a net729loss in the ability of these military installation lands and waters to730sustain a combat-ready and lethal military force. Through programs such731as REPI, the Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting732Clearinghouse, and DoD Legacy Resource Management Program, the733Department can stimulate mutually beneficial and cost- effective734partnerships between local communities, Federal and State agencies, and735non-governmental organizations to support DoD's ability to operate736seamlessly across domains and maintain its strong record as a steward737of our Nation's natural, cultural, and historical heritage.738                          improving efficiency739    The Secretary of Defense has issued a clear directive to focus on740eliminating waste and duplication to enable the Department to focus on741its core mission of defending the Nation. In support of this directive,742EI&E is coordinating several efforts to review current processes and743regulations to create efficiencies and reduce costs.744                         milcon and fsrm review745    Given the size and scope of the Department's infrastructure746footprint, the Military Construction (MILCON) and Facilities747Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization (FSRM) investment portfolios748represent a significant opportunity to maximize the effectiveness of749the taxpayer dollars while improving the readiness and lethality of our750warfighters.751    Under current processes, a military construction or large-scale752FSRM project can take 5 years to be incorporated in a budget request to753Congress and once funded, can take potentially another 4 years to754obtain beneficial use. The Department must develop more timely and755flexible processes and organizational structures to enable more agile756delivery of infrastructure needs.757    As such, the Deputy Secretary of Defense has directed a 60-day758review of the Department's MILCON and FSRM portfolios. My office is759coordinating with Military Departments and Office of General Counsel to760conduct this review and develop recommendations for proposed regulatory761or statutory changes, updates to DoD policy, and process improvements762that improve cost structure, efficiency of execution, and lifecycle763sustainment.764    The Department appreciates the authorities Congress has provided in765recent National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs) to make our766processes more efficient, including increases to the unspecified minor767military construction (UMMC) threshold in the FY23 NDAA, the pilot768program permitting replacement of failing barracks in the FY24 NDAA,769and the increase in the threshold for acquisition of low cost interests770in land and a pilot program to optimize our footprint using UMMC in the771FY25 NDAA. We look forward to working with Congress at all levels to772further our common goal of making efficient and effective investments773in DoD infrastructure.774    The Department also shares Congress' interest in ensuring that the775current DoD construction agent model maximizes efficiency, is776responsive to the needs of the Department, and minimizes redundancy and777unnecessary costs. Consistent with Section 2877 of the FY25 NDAA, my778office has entered into a contract with the RAND Corporation to review779the roles and responsibilities for executing construction projects. We780will work closely with the Military Departments to ensure the781Department collectively provides a timely objective report on this782critical issue.783                       real property efficiencies784    As part of EO 14222, Implementing the President's ``Department of785Government Efficiency'' Cost Efficiency Initiative, and as required in786Section 2850 of the FY25 NDAA, the Department is working to reduce its787leased space inventory. The Secretary of Defense has directed us to788reduce our leased costs by 30 percent within the next 18 months. To789achieve this reduction, we have implemented regular building occupancy790reporting that enables us to identify existing spaces with capacity and791focus our personnel laydown within our installations. The reduction is792a critical step in enabling the Department to focus on its core mission793of defending the Nation by eliminating waste and duplication to794maximize the value of our real estate portfolio.795    reviewing processes for complying with environmental regulations796    Another area of opportunity to improve efficiency and improve our797delivery of capability to our warfighters is to eliminate delays within798the environmental permitting process. As part of its response to799Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, the Department is800working with other key stakeholders in the Administration to streamline801how DoD implements the National Environmental Policy Act. The802Department recognizes that we have an immense responsibility to the803natural resources entrusted to us and we are working to ensure we are804maximizing our readiness and resilience while also fulfilling our805environmental stewardship obligations.806                            quality of life807    Our Service members' readiness starts at home. They should be able808focus on their missions without having to worry about issues with their809housing or about the health and safety of their family members back810home. The Department remains committed to ensuring that these issues811are addressed so that our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and812Guardians can bring 100% of themselves to their missions.813                                housing814    Our Service members' housing is both a crucial quality of life815issue and a critical mission- enabling asset. They and their families816expect and deserve safe and secure places to live in return for the817sacrifices they make for our Nation. The Department remains committed818to ensuring that all Service member housing-whether it is government-819owned, government-controlled, or privatized-meets appropriate life,820health, and safety requirements and provides a positive living821experience for military personnel and their families.822    Over the past year, the Department has made significant strides in823reforming its oversight of its Unaccompanied Housing (UH) portfolio and824implementing the FY24 NDAA requirements. The Department published UH825guidance on civilian oversight, issuances of waivers for privacy and826configuration standards, updated design standards, and standardized827requirements and procedures for maintenance work orders. The Department828also engaged quickly with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to829resolve open recommendations under their review of Military Barracks;830as of today, the GAO closed 8 of the 31 recommendations for the831Department and is considering the Department's requests to close 5832additional recommendations.833    Resident feedback is a key indicator of the Department's progress834in providing safe and secure housing to all Service members and as835such, updated its housing tenant satisfaction survey to be applicable836to all housing, including unaccompanied. Most of the military services837are executing their housing satisfaction survey now and we look forward838to sharing the results with Congress later this year.839    The Department also continues to explore leveraging privatization840as a tool to improve UH by evaluating the results of the Services'841pilot projects and incorporating the lessons learned from the broader842Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI). The Department843currently has eight existing UH privatization agreements-six within the844Department of the Army portfolio and two within the Department of the845Navy.846    These privatized UH projects offer apartment-style accommodations847rather than the dormitory- style accommodations of traditional848government-owned UH and provide authorized Service members with high-849quality, cost-effective options for on-installation residences in high-850cost or challenged housing markets, to include remote and isolated851installations. While these residences are generally reserved for more852senior enlisted personnel who have already lived in traditional UH, the853Navy's pilot authority under 10 USC Sec. 2881a allows them to issue a854higher rate of partial basic allowance for housing to enlisted Service855members, ship or shore based, in the ranks of E4 and below who may856otherwise be mandatorily assigned to permanent party UH. The Department857will continue to seek innovative ways to provide high-quality UH to858Service members required to live on-base at cost-savings to the859government.860               military housing privatization initiative861    The Department continues to enhance the MHPI program and improve862our oversight of the private sector MHPI companies that own and operate863MHPI housing projects. As a result of our collaboration with the MHPI864companies, all 18 rights set out in the MHPI Tenant Bill of Rights865(TBoR) are fully available at all but one of the nearly 200866installations with privatized housing, representing approximately 99867percent of military families residing in MHPI housing. We will continue868our efforts to educate and engage Service Members and their families to869ensure they are aware of and take full advantage of the TBoR.870    The Department continues to work on full implementation of other871MHPI reforms. In August 2024, the Department deployed the housing872complaints database and has received 38 responses, 32 of which are873available to the public while the remaining six are being processed for874publication. In addition, the Department is over 85% complete on its875mandatory, one-time inspections of government-owned and controlled876family and privatized housing. The Departments of the Navy and Air877Force are both 100% complete and we will be submitting an interim878report on their behalf to annotating their closure and reporting their879findings.880    The Department is committed to working closely with you and the881committee staff to ensure the long-term success of the MHPI program and882we will remain diligent in our oversight to ensure DoD's privatized883housing projects deliver quality housing and a positive living884experience for military personnel and their families.885                   defense environmental restoration886    The Department must take deliberate and sustained action to address887risks to human health and the environment resulting from past DoD888activities and enhance mission readiness by completing cleanups and889restoring DoD lands for effective use. Our environmental cleanup890program includes the Installation Restoration Program (IRP) and891Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP). The IRP is focused on892cleanup of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants, while893the MMRP is focused on responding to unexploded ordnance and munition894constituents at former military ranges. These programs encompass active895installations, Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS--sites that DoD896transferred to other Federal agencies, States, local governments, or897private landowners before October 17, 1986), and sites DoD transferred898to other entities as part of its Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)899activities.900    To date, the Department, in cooperation with State agencies and the901U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has completed cleanup902activities at 86 percent of Active and BRAC IRP and MMRP sites, and903FUDS IRP sites, and is now monitoring the results. During FY 2024904alone, the Department completed cleanup at 121 sites. Of the roughly90540,900 restoration sites, 34,379 are now in monitoring status or have906completed cleanup.907    Our focus remains on continuous improvement initiatives in the908restoration program: minimizing overhead, adopting new technologies to909reduce cost and accelerate cleanup, updating criteria used to910prioritize sites for cleanup, and improving our relationships with911state regulators and affected communities through increased dialogue912and public engagement. These initiatives help ensure that we maximize913our available resources to complete cleanups.914    While the Department continues to make progress on completing915cleanups, the remaining sites are some of the most complex cleanup916sites. Chemicals of Emerging Concern and others like per- and917polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continue to pose challenges for DoD's918cleanup programs as new science requires reconsideration of previous919decisions and more expensive solutions to protect our Service members,920their families, communities, and the environment.921    Additionally, some complex sites have either no feasible or only922inefficient solutions for cleanup and, as a result, the Department is923making significant investments in environmental technology to identify924new potential remediation methods.925    In particular, the recent EPA drinking water standards for certain926PFAS are extremely low and present a significant challenge for the927Department. DoD is committed to prioritizing and responding to928locations where known levels of PFAS in private drinking water wells929are the highest, while also focusing on installing sustainable930treatment solutions, but this effort will take time and substantial931future resources.932    In addition to our cleanup activities, the Department continues to933prioritize efforts to eliminate the use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam934(AFFF) at military installations. Over the past few years, the935Department has undertaken an aggressive initiative to develop and936demonstrate fluorine-free alternatives to AFFF. As of April 2025, five937products have passed the DoD qualification process. These products are938now available for purchase, and the Military Departments have used them939to make significant progress in their efforts to transition away from940AFFF use in more than 6,000 mobile assets and approximately 1,000941facilities.942                        indo-pacific priorities943                                 hawaii944    The relationship between the U.S. Military and Hawai'i has been a945critical piece of U.S. military and diplomatic strategy for over 125946years. Hawaii's strategic location in the Pacific, unique training and947port areas, and support for critical defense missions make it a948cornerstone of our posture in the Indo-Pacific region. In support of949this indispensable defense mission, the Military Departments have950jurisdiction over approximately 222,000 acres of land in Hawai'i,951roughly four percent of Hawaii's land base. This includes approximately95245,300 in lands leases from the State of Hawaii which are going to953expire between 2029-2032. These lands provide ideal locations for954specialized defense capabilities, multi-domain operating areas to955generate future force readiness, and training ranges that our Joint956Force leverages with allies and partners.957    Retaining these mission critical training lands is a top priority958to support the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) warfighter.959    The Department recognizes that past incidents, particularly the960fuel and concentrated AFFF spills at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage961Facility and the diesel spill at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex,962have resulted in a loss of public trust between the DoD and Hawai'i963residents. The situation has underscored the importance of working964collaboratively with stakeholders to address DoD's use of lands and965natural resources in Hawaii. Military personnel in Hawaii are working966to engage consistently, respectfully, and transparently to strengthen967relationships in support of the shared goals of national security,968economic prosperity, and a healthy environment. The Hawaii Coordination969Cell (HCC), established last year within EI&E, is working closely with970the Military Departments, USINDOPACOM, and OSD counterparts to support971a comprehensive and coordinated approach to support these efforts. The972HCC serves as a primary point of contact for State and local officials,973businesses, community organizations, and interested stakeholders to974connect with military personnel, engage in dialogue about key issues of975concern and create opportunities for collaboration. These activities976are essential to enable the continuation of the critical military977missions in Hawai'i.978                          construction on guam979    The Department is preparing to execute several critical posture980initiatives in Guam that will help to ensure a free and open Indo-981Pacific. These initiatives will require unprecedented levels of982military construction to ensure our forces have the right983infrastructure to organize, train, equip and, if necessary, deliver984lethal combat power. These efforts include the relocation of Marines985from Okinawa, the deployment of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense986of Guam capability, and Polaris Point expansion. Additionally, this987surge in military construction activity will address damages caused by988Typhoon Mawar. The increasing demand for military construction,989compounded by labor and material shortages posed by Guam's remote990location, prompted the Department to pursue a comprehensive approach to991supporting delivering the right capabilities to USINDOPACOM and the992warfighter.993    To address these challenges, the Department is undertaking a994holistic master planning effort to effectively sequence development,995prioritize infrastructure needs, and align support functions with996mission growth. This plan will consolidate all construction activities997across Guam, offering a cohesive and forward-looking vision for the998island's development. Furthermore, the Department is working to999integrate and synchronize military construction efforts the Military1000Departments, Defense Agencies, and DoD Field Activities. This approach1001is designed to ensure the timely delivery of critical capabilities and1002quality-of-life improvements for warfighters. The master planning1003initiative will serve as a dynamic tool, accounting for mission1004timelines, dependencies, programming and design needs, environmental1005factors, extreme weather considerations, and other essential1006requirements to guide future infrastructure investments.1007                               conclusion1008    Thank you for the opportunity to provide this energy,1009installations, and environment program update. We appreciate Congress'1010continued support for our enterprise and look forward to working with1011you.10121013    Senator Boozman. Thank you. General Wilson.1014STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL DAVID WILSON, DEPUTY1015            CHIEF OF STAFF, G-9, UNITED STATES ARMY1016    General Wilson. Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff,1017and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for1018allowing me to appear before you today.1019    Our installations are the bedrock of Army readiness,1020lethality, and warfighting capability. They are where our1021soldiers train, live, work, and prepare to defend our nation.1022My testimony today highlights the Army's unwavering commitment1023to transforming our installations into agile and adaptable1024platforms that can meet evolving missions and counter emerging1025threats. From cyberattacks, to natural disasters, our1026investments in the right locations and facilities, guarantees1027that our warfighters will have the operational and support1028infrastructure they need to succeed in their mission.1029    Our facility investment plan prioritizes Military1030Construction and infrastructure projects based on the direct1031input from the commanders in the field and a careful assessment1032of the strategic needs. In fiscal year 2024, we awarded1033significant funding for MILCON projects, and we are allocating1034more in fiscal year 2025, representing an increase in1035investment and a commitment to improving our infrastructure.1036    Beyond MILCON, we are investing heavily in facility1037sustainment, restoration, and modernization, or FSRM, in the1038future. And we appreciate Congress recognizing the vital need1039by establishing the minimum Facilities Sustainment,1040Restoration, and Modernization (FRSM) requirements in the 20251041NDAA, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration.1042    Taking care of our soldiers and their families remains our1043number one priority, and their well-being is directly linked to1044the readiness and the ability of the Army to accomplish its1045mission. We are also deeply focused on improving the quality of1046Army family housing, both government-owned and privatized.1047Tenant satisfaction is improving; however, we recognize that1048there is always more work to be done.1049    We are also actively exploring innovative energy solutions,1050including tactical microgrids and the potential for nuclear1051energy on our installations. The Army continues to leverage1052public-private partnerships to drive broader innovation and1053reduce our reliance on traditional funding sources. For1054example, we are actively using energy saving performance1055contracts, utility energy saving contracts, and1056intergovernmental support agreements to improve our1057installations' efficiency, lower operational costs, and promote1058sustainability.1059    Predictable resourcing is absolutely essential to modernize1060our Army installations, maintain our warfighting edge, and1061ensure the safety and well-being of our soldiers, their1062families, and our defense communities.1063    Thank you for your continued support and your commitment to1064our Military, and the dedication to ensuring that the readiness1065of our Army is first and foremost at the forefront.1066    I look forward to your questions.1067    [The statement follows:]1068                 Prepared Statement of LTG David Wilson1069                              introduction1070    Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff, and distinguished members1071of the subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to discuss the1072Army's priorities for installations, military construction, and family1073housing. Our installations are the nexus of the Army's lethality,1074readiness, and warfighting. The ability to protect and project combat1075power from installations around the world is no longer guaranteed or1076routine. We must ensure our installations and infrastructure transform1077into agile and adaptable platforms that will support evolving mission1078requirements and meet emergent strategic threats.1079    Over the last year, the Army has made meaningful progress to1080increase the adaptability, resiliency, and quality of our1081installations, but more needs to be done to fulfill our commitment to1082our Soldiers, their families, and the American people. Working with1083Congress, we will continue to build on our efforts in 2026 and beyond.1084    We must guarantee predictable resourcing to enable our1085installations to modernize at pace with our Army's transformation1086efforts. We need to apply our investments in the right locations and in1087the right types of facilities. These investments will help to ensure1088our warfighters have sufficient operational and support infrastructure1089to accomplish their missions. Second, we must transform our1090installations and services to ensure they are not only reliable, but1091also resilient-able to adapt to new missions while quickly recovering1092from disruptions and overcoming new and emerging threats. Our1093installations must stand ready to support not only the Army, but the1094entire Department of Defense, no matter the mission. Finally, our1095installations must be efficient and effective to ensure our1096investments, funded by the taxpayers, are returning value in building1097and sustaining warfighter readiness.1098                          facility investments1099    The Army uses a deliberate process to prioritize military1100construction and other facility investments, which are used to produce1101an annual Facility Investment Plan (FIP)-a prioritized list of1102projects, by component, under consideration from which the Army1103develops infrastructure requirements. This prioritization considers1104several factors from our commanders and senior leaders, including the1105relative importance of various facility ypes, the installation's1106location, and the installation's primary mission. The FIP is used to1107inform the Army's annual budget request.1108    The Army's commitment to modernizing facilities and infrastructure1109is evident in our FY24 and FY25 MILCON programs. In FY24, we awarded $21110billion for 48 MILCON projects, significantly improving Soldier quality1111of life and enhancing mission readiness. These projects include vital1112upgrades to barracks, construction of childcare centers, and1113modernization of armories for our Reserve and National Guard. Building1114on this momentum, the Army is initiating 43 MILCON projects in FY25,1115representing an even larger investment and further demonstrating our1116dedication to infrastructure improvements.1117    To further enhance our infrastructure, we also utilize Facilities1118Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM) funding. A1119significant portion of this FSRM funding is directed towards1120modernizing Regular Army facilities to ensure they can support1121operational deployments and training requirements. We also dedicate1122substantial resources to Army National Guard facilities, recognizing1123their critical role in national defense and homeland security, as well1124as to Army Reserve facilities, which are vital for maintaining the1125readiness of our reserve component. These FSRM investments are1126essential for transforming our facilities to meet evolving mission1127requirements and for delivering modern, critical infrastructure to1128support and house our warfighters.1129    However, unforeseen circumstances sometimes require us to adjust1130our funding priorities. As we have communicated to the HASC and SASC,1131the proposed $1.1 billion FSRM reprogramming is a necessary decision to1132address the urgent and evolving needs of the Southern Border mission,1133ensuring the Army can rapidly provide critical enabling support to DHS.1134This reprogramming, while impacting some planned FSRM projects, is1135carefully structured to minimize disruption to overall Army readiness.1136The Army remains committed to both modernizing its facilities and1137fulfilling its national security obligations.1138    We are grateful to Congress for recognizing the Army's need for1139additional investment in our facilities by establishing minimum FSRM1140requirements for the coming years in the 2025 National Defense1141Authorization Act (NDAA). The Army looks forward to working with1142Congress to develop a strategy to resource this requirement.1143                    unaccompanied housing--barracks1144    Our first and highest priority is to take care of our warfighters1145and ensure they have proper facilities to live, work, and conduct1146training. The challenge we face is a substantial backlog of deferred1147maintenance that built up over many years. The Army, with the help of1148Congress, has significantly increased annual investment over the last1149few years to address this backlog, but these investments will take1150several years to realize their effect. In the spirit of continual1151improvement, the Army expanded the annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey to1152include Soldiers living in barracks which helps assess whether1153investments in our barracks are improving Soldiers' quality of life. In1154addition to making long-term investments, the Army is also taking1155immediate action, such as, having barracks monitors and Department of1156Public Works (DPW) staff from the installations improving the1157maintenance tempo and facility management of the places Soldiers live1158and work.1159    The Army continues to look for new and innovative ways to maximize1160our facility investments to improve our barracks quality and reduce the1161costs to taxpayers. Last year, the Army initiated a privatized barracks1162project at Fort Irwin, California, where an initial life-cycle cost1163analysis shows the potential for it to be cost-effective to have a1164private company build and manage these barracks than to build and1165sustain the full requirement of government-owned barracks. The Army1166currently has unaccompanied apartment projects at six locations, four1167target E6 and above unaccompanied Soldiers and two target lower1168enlisted Soldiers. Three new privatized barracks projects are being1169considered at four locations that currently host successful UH1170apartment projects. We also thank Congress for the pilot program in the1171FY 2024 NDAA allowing replacement of significantly degraded barracks1172rather than continuing to invest in marginal repairs. This authority1173can be used when the estimated cost for repairing a barracks is equal1174or greater than 75% of the estimated cost to construct a new barracks.1175The Army is using this authority at Fort Cavazos, where combining two1176older barracks buildings into one single new construction building will1177significantly decrease the long-term costs of continuing to repair1178failing buildings.1179                          army family housing1180    Taking care of our warfighters is also taking care of their1181families. The Army takes care of our families whether their warfighter1182is at home or not. The Army continues to make significant progress to1183provide high-quality family housing-both government-owned and1184privatized.1185    We thank Congress for supporting the Army's request to extend1186certain authorizations in the FY 2025 NDAA-these extensions are1187critical as the overseas coordination required for some of the projects1188takes longer than domestic projects.1189    In addition to ensuring high-quality government-controlled housing,1190the Army has made significant progress in improving the quality of1191privatized housing domestically. Over the last 2 years, the Army has1192implemented several oversight reforms to better hold privatized housing1193providers accountable for maintaining the high-quality privatized1194housing our Soldiers deserve. These efforts have included strengthening1195and clarifying enforcement language in ground leases, conducting house-1196by-house inspections, implementing quality assurance of construction1197and renovations, and developing a standardized quality assurance1198maintenance program that is applicable to all privatized housing1199companies doing business with the Army.1200    By the end of CY 2026, the Army will complete third-party1201inspections of all our family housing inventory. When our inspections1202reveal deficiencies in work performed, the Army privatized housing1203provider or installation DPW reacts quickly to rectify the situation1204via the housing provider. The Army also conducts the annual Tenant1205Satisfaction Survey to assess the quality of our homes and keep housing1206providers accountable for maintaining those homes. I am pleased to1207report that last year's survey results showed steady increases of 1%,12082.5%, and 1.5% in tenant satisfaction from prior years in Army Family1209Housing, Privatized Housing, and the Privatized Unaccompanied1210Apartments, respectively. Our increased investments, improved1211maintenance response and customer service, and increased Army oversight1212all contributed to these higher scores. These increases also indicate1213the Army's housing providers are doing a better job servicing our1214homes, but also highlighted areas where the Army and providers can1215improve.1216                        installation resilience1217    Modernized installations, which include ensuring access to reliable1218power and water, are vital to assuring mission success. Given our1219installations primarily rely on commercial utilities for energy and1220water, we must ensure they are protected from external disruptions and1221can quickly recover. Vulnerabilities, both natural and man- made,1222associated with interdependent electric power grids, natural gas1223pipelines, and water resources and systems can jeopardize installation1224security and mission capabilities.1225    To assess these potential risks to our water and energy systems,122698% of our installations have completed Installation Energy and Water1227Plans (IEWPs) to identify requirements and risks, and to develop1228mitigation techniques that decrease operating costs. For example, the1229Army is deploying microgrids on installations, conducting Black Start1230Exercises (BSEs), and testing the cyber domain through the Cyber1231Readiness Resilience Exercises (CRRE).1232    In addition to decreasing operating costs, efforts to reduce energy1233and water consumption allow us to invest in modernization and1234innovation of installation energy. Two such examples are tactical1235microgrid systems and nuclear energy on installations. The Tactical1236Microgrid Standard (TMS) was released in January 2023. It establishes1237standards for communications and controls, safety, and cyber security1238for tactical power grids, and defines the tactical grid architecture1239using an open standard to support various systems and capabilities. The1240Army continues to develop technologies designed to add energy storage1241to tactical power systems, enable vehicle-exported power, improve1242capabilities like extended silent watch, and hybridize existing ground1243generator systems to reduce generator runtime, improve reliability, and1244enable mobile, distributed operations.1245    The Army is carrying out the President's Executive Order on1246Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security,1247including establishing a program of record for the utilization of1248nuclear energy for both installation and operation energy. This1249includes quickly working to deliver on the President's direction to1250begin operations of an advanced nuclear reactor on an installation no1251later than the end of FY 2028. The Army expects to have additional1252details at a later date.1253    To test our energy resiliency, BSEs allow installations to1254experience the impact of a power outage from a service disruption. The1255Army has completed 20 BSEs, including, seven exercises in FY 2024, and1256is planning six more in FY 2025, and five in FY 2026. In FY 2024, the1257Army conducted our first cyber resilience readiness exercise at Fort1258Carson, Colorado and is planning an additional exercise this fiscal1259year.1260    To be more efficient with taxpayer investments in our1261installations, the Army's Office of Energy Initiatives (OEI) continues1262to explore public-private partnerships that reduce the need for1263appropriated funding and employ a wide array of energy technologies in1264support of installation mission operations. The OEI looks to leverage1265the value of underutilized installation land for the development of1266energy-generation facilities that will enhance energy resiliency.1267Rather than a monetary rent payment for leasing installation lands, the1268Army typically seeks in-kind consideration to satisfy the fair-market1269value requirement. For energy-generation facilities, this includes the1270ability to prioritize power from the project to support critical1271missions during grid disruption. The Army's collaboration with private1272industry (both public utility companies and independent power1273producers) has resulted in approximately $677 million of private-sector1274investment and over $764 million of avoided costs for the Army. For our1275active installations, the Army continues to use Energy Savings1276Performance Contracts (ESPCs), Utility Energy Savings Contracts (UESC),1277and Intergovernmental Service Agreements (IGSAs) to improve1278installation efficiency and lower facility operational costs across all1279utilities and services. The Army is working to award nine ESPCs and1280UESCs totaling $338 million in FY 2025. Resilience enhancements remain1281a focus for ESPCs and UESCs, including a planned natural gas pipeline1282providing 16 megawatts of power generation at Fort Irwin and numerous1283industrial equipment upgrades to improve operational efficiency at1284Anniston Army Depot. The Army's 185 IGSAs, saving $120M, include1285agreements for environmental services, waste management, and dozens of1286other community partnerships. Going forward, we intend to increase our1287use of ESPCs, UESCs, and IGSAs to reduce the long-term costs of our1288installations.1289    The Army is doing comprehensive energy and water resilience1290planning at installations worldwide, including in the Middle East1291(CENTCOM), Europe (EUCOM), and Indo- Pacific region (INDOPACOM). These1292forward installations are critical to assuring the Army's readiness and1293maintaining warfighting skills, with special emphasis on the unique1294threat picture and host nation requirements in each area. In EUCOM and1295CENTCOM, energy risks include the reliability of host nation energy1296supplies. In these regions, we actively collaborate with partners to1297understand and mitigate risk. The Army is building energy resilience1298across INDOPACOM by developing microgrids, implementing energy and1299water efficiency measures, and ensuring adequate fuel reserves to1300support operations during potential disruptions.1301                               conclusion1302    In strategic competition, our adversaries are looking for ways to1303challenge us not just overseas, but right here at home. They will look1304for ways to eliminate our homefield advantage. Countering this requires1305predictable resourcing to enable our installations to modernize at pace1306of the Army's transformation efforts and remain the world's most1307powerful fighting force. Ensuring safe, reliable, and high-quality1308installations for Soldiers, Families, Civilians, and defense1309communities is critical to ensuring the Army can remain adaptable to1310mission requirements around the world.13111312    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Admiral Jablon.1313STATEMENT OF VICE ADMIRAL JEFFREY T. JABLON, DEPUTY1314            CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS FOR INSTALLATIONS1315            AND LOGISTICS, UNITED STATES NAVY1316    General Jablon. Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff,1317distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the1318opportunity to testify before you today.1319    I am looking forward to discussing the critical role of our1320installations and infrastructure that they play in effectively1321developing, generating, employing, and sustaining the Navy and1322Joint Force. It is an honor to appear before you today and a1323privilege to speak on behalf of the sailors and Navy civilians1324stationed at our 70 installations around the world.1325    The Navy's total MILCON and FSRM requirements far exceed1326the funds available, but with strong congressional support, we1327are focusing our infrastructure investments to maximize1328operational readiness and to improve the quality of life for1329our personnel and their families.1330    Your trust, confidence, and commitment are vital to1331ensuring the Navy's continued capability to maintain the peace,1332respond to crisis, and support critical Navy and Joint Force1333requirements to win decisively in war. The Secretary of Defense1334recently issued interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,1335which directs Department of Defense activities to restore peace1336through strength.1337    The Navy Logistics Enterprise, which includes our1338installations and infrastructure, is focused on carrying out1339the tenets of the Strategic Guidance through the implementation1340of the Navy's Maritime Sustainment Strategy.1341    The Navy understands that readiness starts from the shore,1342and effective infrastructure is the cornerstone of our Maritime1343Sustainment Strategy to not only support the quality of life1344for our sailors, but also sustain operations of the Navy and1345Joint Force around the globe. We are focusing our efforts to1346prioritize and program resources to repair, modernize, and1347replace critical infrastructure directly supporting operational1348readiness in the Indo-Pacific.1349    For example, the $2.2 billion Congress provided in the1350fiscal year 2025 Disaster Supplemental provides critical1351resources for Typhoon Mawar recovery efforts in Guam, to1352include repairs to Apra Harbor, Glass Breakwater, HSC-25 Hangar1353MILCON, and hardening of our critical electrical feeders to the1354Navy base, and with congressional support, continued investment1355in our infrastructure will maintain our progress toward a1356modern, resilient, and ready network of installations that1357ensure fleet readiness, combat logistics capability across1358peacetime, competition, and contested environments to support1359both the Navy and Joint Force lethality.1360    Thank you. And I look forward to our discussion today.1361    [The statement follows:]1362              Prepared Statement of VADM Jeffrey T. Jablon1363                              introduction1364    Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff, distinguished members of1365the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you1366today. I am looking forward to discussing the critical role of our1367installations and infrastructure in effectively developing, generating,1368employing and sustaining the Navy and Joint Force. It is an honor to1369appear before you and a privilege to speak on behalf of the sailors and1370Navy civilians stationed at our 70 installations around the world. With1371strong Congressional support, we are improving our infrastructure to1372maximize operational readiness and improving the quality of life for1373our personnel and their families. Your trust, confidence, and1374commitment are vital to ensuring our Navy's capability to maintain the1375peace, respond to crises, and support critical Navy and Joint Force1376requirements to win decisively in war.1377                 strengthening our force from the shore1378    The Secretary of Defense recently issued Interim National Defense1379Strategic Guidance, which directs Department of Defense activities to1380restore peace through strength. Through the framework of this new1381guidance, the Navy is standing ready if directed, to fight and win our1382Nation's wars. In demonstrating that ability, the Navy is integral to1383reestablishing deterrence, defending the American homeland, and1384preserving our way of life. Our Naval Logistics Enterprise (NLE), which1385includes our installations and infrastructure, is vital to addressing1386the strategic challenges outlined in the Interim National Defense1387Strategic Guidance.1388    A fundamental aspect of ensuring lethality is the ability to1389effectively sustain military operations. To this end, the Navy is1390focused on the implementation of our recently published Maritime1391Sustainment Strategy to ensure the Navy can provide the right materiel1392and services, at the right place and right time, across the competition1393continuum, regardless of operational tempo and level of demand from1394distributed operational forces. The Navy understands that readiness1395starts from the shore, and effective infrastructure is the cornerstone1396of our Maritime Sustainment Strategy to sustain operations of the Navy1397and Joint Force around the globe.1398    Specifically, to ensure we are properly focusing our efforts and1399resources to deter aggression by Communist China in the Indo-Pacific1400region, we are assessing, prioritizing and programming resources to1401repair, modernize, or replace critical infrastructure directly1402supporting operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific. The scope of our1403actions is focused on infrastructure required to support combat against1404the pacing challenge of China. Investment in our infrastructure1405maintains our progress toward a sustainable, modern, resilient, and1406ready network of installations and contingency locations that ensure1407fleet readiness and combat logistics capability across peacetime,1408competition, and contested environments to support both Navy and Joint1409Force lethality.1410                         military construction1411    Investing in Navy installations is crucial for maintaining1412operational readiness and ensuring that our forces can respond1413immediately to emerging threats. The Navy's MILCON budget invests in1414the highest-priority projects that provide the necessary infrastructure1415to support advanced training, logistics, and mission-critical1416operations.1417    MILCON projects that support the Navy's nuclear deterrence mission,1418invest in INDOPACOM, support new platforms, advance Shipyard1419Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) efforts, and enhance key1420facilities and infrastructure that contribute to warfighter lethality1421are critical. In addition, MILCON investment in quality of life (QoL)1422initiatives for our sailors and their families, including unaccompanied1423housing (UH), child development centers (CDCs). MILCON investment is1424also essential to sustaining fleet readiness. Prioritization of funds1425is based on guidance from Navy leadership, input from fleet and1426combatant commanders, and installation requirements.1427   base operating support and facilities sustainment restoration and1428                             modernization1429    In addition to MILCON funding, our shore installations require FSRM1430funding to ensure the Navy is equipped with modern and well-maintained1431facilities to properly support warfighting capabilities around the1432globe. This funding provides the necessary infrastructure enhancements1433to support advanced training, logistics, and mission-critical1434operations. Navy Base Operating Support (BOS) comprises fleet1435operations, safety and security, facility support, QoL, and mission1436support and management programs provided to 70 Navy installations1437worldwide.1438    The BOS program sustains mission capabilities, ensures regulatory1439compliance, and promotes QoL for sailors and their families. BOS funds1440personnel and infrastructure support, contributes to morale and1441retention, and enhances work force productivity.1442    I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Congress for1443providing $2.2 billion in supplemental funding to address damage from1444Typhoon Mawar in Guam. This funding included $900 million for FSRM,1445$130 million for Family Housing and $1.13 billion for MILCON. Damage1446from Typhoon Mawar impacted both civilian and military infrastructure,1447affecting mission support and QoL for both residents and service1448members.1449    Restoration and Modernization (RM) funding is essential for1450revitalizing critical infrastructure that has deteriorated over time1451and use. DON RM investment priorities are aligned strongly with the1452Department's focus on lethality. Increased funding for the utilities1453and fuels programs is critical to account for recent volatile global1454markets and to ensure ``must pay'' bills do not take funds at the1455expense of fleet modernization RM projects.1456    The FY 2025 NDAA directs the military departments to spend 4% of1457their real property plant replacement value (PRV) on FSRM by FY 2030.1458Once implemented, this represents a historically significant increase1459in shore infrastructure investment, will arrest future degradation,1460begin to recover the maintenance backlog, and increase average facility1461condition and remaining service life. We look forward to working with1462you on the best implementation of this requirement.1463              shipyard infrastructure optimization program1464    The Navy's SIOP is well underway, having completed 45 projects at1465our four public shipyards totaling over $1 billion. These projects1466deliver facility and utility improvements, maintain dry dock1467certifications, ensure safe handling of nuclear material, correct1468facility safety deficiencies, and increase resilience. SIOP has an1469additional 49 projects (including four dry docks) costing $6 billion1470under contract.1471    The Navy is focused on construction and recapitalization of dry1472docks (DD) and piers to support the class maintenance plans for our1473nuclear powered submarines and aircraft carriers. The FY2025 NDAA1474requires the SIOP to update cost and schedule management policy and1475guidance. The SIOP is required to brief Congress quarterly on dry-dock1476construction performance, and the Government Accountability Office's14772025 audit is focused on SIOP planning and contract management. We look1478forward to working with you to ensure visibility and transparency on1479our schedules and costs on this vitally important program.1480                         unaccompanied housing1481    The Navy is committed to delivering QoL commensurate with the1482sacrifices of our sailors. A key element to this is providing quality1483UH for eligible sailors. The Navy is committed to, and focused on,1484improving the current conditions of UH and addressing new concerns,1485while producing a sustainable inventory enterprise-wide.1486    The Navy has made meaningful progress to address UH conditions and1487occupant concerns, but there is more work to do. The Navy has taken1488significant actions in UH to improve the QoL of our sailors. We've1489increased RM funds by $45 million to repair poor-condition UH1490facilities. We've also launched a free wi-fi pilot program at 12 UH1491locations in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and are currently confirming1492future funding availability for free high-speed wi-fi access for all UH1493residents. In addition, SECNAV signed out a Department of the Navy UH1494Bill of Rights and Responsibilities and Universal Lease with updated1495guidance, and we are continuing to streamline the maintenance reporting1496process.1497    Another significant action has been the Navy's ``Forging1498Communities of Excellence'' initiative to address the September 20231499GAO report findings and FY 2024 NDAA requirements. This initiative1500focuses improvements along three distinct Lines of Effort (LOE):1501Facilities Improvement, Management, and QoL. LOE 1 aims to improve the1502quality of the Navy's barracks through targeted investments in1503government-owned barracks and expansion of UH privatization where1504appropriate. The Navy has continued QoL enhancements in Military1505Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI) UH to expand projects for both1506Hampton Roads, Virginia, and San Diego, California. These expansions1507will privatize an additional 8,078 bedrooms in Hampton Roads and 3,4351508bedrooms in San Diego. The Navy's pilot Higher Rate of Partial BAH1509authority for UH MHPI was carried out using 10 USC 2881(a) LOE 21510ensures consistent service through a well-sourced, well-trained, and1511well-equipped workforce. LOE 3 continues to build trust and1512partnerships with residents by providing high- quality ancillary1513services, comfortable surroundings, and consistent, meaningful1514interaction. Under LOE 3, for example, the roll out of quick response1515(QR) maintenance codes at four pilot locations resulted in a 50%1516decrease in maintenance response times in 1 year. We are targeting1517rollout of this capability across the enterprise by the end of calendar15182025. Furthermore, the Navy is implementing the Navy Housing1519Accreditation Inspection Program in the 4th Quarter of FY2025 for all1520government-owned or -leased UH. This program will generate performance1521data to drive decision making and quality improvement initiatives. The1522Navy expects to identify best practices and performance gaps with this1523program in the coming fiscal year.1524                             family housing1525    The Navy continues to prioritize execution, long-term monitoring,1526and oversight of Navy Family Housing (FH) operations to enable safe and1527affordable housing for service members and their families. Congress has1528appropriated additional funding for FH, particularly at the Service1529oversight level. The additional funding enabled us to increase to1530nearly 200 new employees focused on oversight and/or inspections of1531public-private venture (PPV) MHPI Housing. The new staffing levels1532advancethe Navy's ability to better assess policies and processes, and1533respond to the needs of our ssailors and their families.1534    Inspections have yielded additional insights on the overall1535conditions and quantity of available housing units. The Navy has1536completed 100% of the required FY 2020 and 2021 NDAA-required one-time1537inspections. We've also implemented processes to ensure inspections1538occur with each move-in and move-out, as well as lease pre-termination1539inspections upon request. The Navy provides inspection results to PPV1540partners for immediate remediation. We continually monitor health and1541safety conditions, as well as maintenance work orders and follow- ups1542with residents. PPV staff and partners have participated in 13 audits1543assigned from GAO, the Naval Audit Service and the DoD Office of1544Inspector General. The results of these audits have assisted the Navy1545in improving our standards, procedures, and guidelines.1546    The Navy has also launched the Department of Defense (DOD) Housing1547Feedback System (DHFS) to increase transparency and accountability of1548DOD PPV FH. DHFS provides sailors and their family members with the1549ability to publicly share feedback on housing conditions. In addition,1550Tenant Satisfaction Surveys are conducted annually, informing the PPV1551partners about resident concerns so they can take corrective actions.1552Installation commanders monitor the actions taken to address tenants'1553concerns.1554                     navy child and youth programs1555    Navy Child and Youth Programs provide affordable, quality child and1556youth services to our sailors and their families and are a workforce1557enabler that directly enhances the readiness, efficiency, and retention1558of our Navy. The Navy continues to pursue military construction,1559facility sustainment (including equipment), and playground funding to1560improve or maintain the condition of our CDCs and School-Aged Care1561facilities.1562    The Navy is focused on expanding childcare capacity that involves1563staffing initiatives, construction of new Navy childcare facilities,1564and use of community resources. The quality of child youth programs is1565high, but the Navy continues to face capacity shortfalls, particularly1566in the fleet concentration areas of Norfolk, San Diego, Kitsap, Pearl1567Harbor, Jacksonville and the National Capital Region.1568    The current total unmet waitlist for Navy Child Development Centers1569is 2.5K, which is down from 5.3K at the start of FY 2023. The Navy is1570working to increase staffing levels, currently at 87%. Efforts include1571updating management staffing structure, enhancing training, recruitment1572incentives, and staff childcare discounts. Also, Military Childcare in1573Your Neighborhood fee assistance is available to families that are1574geographically dispersed or in locations with long waitlists for on-1575base care. The Navy has expanded fee assistance to over 9,000 spaces,1576which is up from 6,500 at the start of FY 2024.1577                               conclusion1578    To deter aggression by Communist China and others, we are1579assessing, prioritizing and programming resources to focus on1580infrastructure directly supporting the Navy and Joint Force in the1581Indo-Pacific, as well as providing quality of life around the globe to1582our vitally important sailors and their families.1583    Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today, and1584thank you for supporting our uniformed personnel, civilians, and their1585families around the world doing incredible work on behalf of the1586security of this country. As Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for1587Installations and Logistics, I look forward to working with you in the1588continued pursuit of warfighting capability, readiness both afloat and1589ashore, and support for our sailors and their families.15901591    Senator Boozman. Thank you. General Sklenka.15921593STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEPHEN D. SKLENKA,1594            DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR INSTALLATIONS AND1595            LOGISTICS, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS1596    General Sklenka. Chairman Boozman, and Ranking Member1597Ossoff, and distinguished Members of this Subcommittee. I1598really appreciate the opportunity to testify today regarding1599your Marine Corps' Military Construction and the quality of1600life initiatives that we have. On behalf of the Commandant,1601also, I want to make a special thanks to all of you for your1602continued support, to all of our Marines, the active duty,1603reserve component, civilian, retired, and of course to our1604families.1605    Now, the infrastructure and MILCON challenges confronting1606the Marine Corps today, these are decades in the making, and1607there are no quick-fix solutions. As repeatedly documented by1608the Government Accountability Office (GAO), our deferred1609maintenance and our MILCON needs, they are significant, and1610they go beyond our ability to self-fund.1611    The year-long Continuing Resolution has exacerbated these1612challenges. But what I am not going to do today is I am not1613going to state that the only solution to these issues is more1614money and greater resourcing. As we have previously testified,1615and as has been noted by the GAO, additional funding is indeed1616required, but so is leadership.1617    And to that end, the Commandant, his directive to us has1618been clear: it is a commitment to our Marines and their1619families, young people from your respective states. That1620commitment is unwavering. They are what we value the most, and1621that is why we will continue to accelerate the delivery of our1622Barracks 2030 Project as well as aggressively implement our1623Force Design and Marine Corps' modernization.1624    Now, regarding our bases and stations, the Commandant and I1625have long expressed the point that these are no longer1626administrative garrison sanctuaries. I think we should expect1627that the opening salvo in any conflict with a peer adversary is1628going to be aimed at our infrastructure, and our installations1629here in the homeland will not be exempt from such attacks. In1630fact, I think the case can easily made, easily be made that the1631first shots are already being fired, fired in the form of cyber1632attacks, UAS incursions, campaigns of subversion, as well as1633disruption.1634    Against a peer adversary, we are going to find ourselves1635not only fighting from our bases and installations, but in1636several cases, we will likely find ourselves fighting for those1637very bases and installations.1638    Now, with strong support from Congress, we are making1639progress, but it is going to require a sustained effort over a1640sustained period. No one budget year is going to provide enough1641resources to overcome our existing challenges, or to eliminate1642the threats to our installations. However, the Marine Corps, as1643we always have, will continue to make every dollar count, and1644maximize the return on investment for the American people and1645the Marines that they have entrusted us to lead.1646    Now, we remain extremely grateful to the subcommittee for1647your partnership and your leadership, and together we are going1648to ensure that our installations are as resilient and as ready1649as the Marines that they support.1650    Thank you again for the opportunity to testify today. And I1651look forward to your questions.1652    [The statement follows:]1653           Prepared Statement of Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Sklenka1654                              introduction1655    Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff, and distinguished Members1656of this subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify about1657the status and priorities of the Marine Corps military construction1658(MILCON) program and quality-of-life initiatives. On behalf of the1659Commandant and all Marines, I thank the Committee for its continued1660support in providing the resources required to ensure your Marine Corps1661ready to be first-to-fight. As the subcommittee is well aware, the1662infrastructure and MILCON challenges confronting the Marine Corps, as1663identified by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Government1664Accountability Office, and in service testimony, are significant and1665well beyond our ability to self-fund. As a consequence of the year-long1666continuing resolution and reduced funding levels, the Marine Corps has1667been forced to make some tough decisions. In FY 2025, the Marine Corps1668is deferring $174 million in facilities sustainment, restoration, and1669modernization (FSRM) and cancelling $4 million in order to account for1670these funding impacts. $155 million of this deferral is tied to the1671Barracks 2030 investments. This has also prevented us from spending the1672mandatory minimums on FSRM, as established in the National Defense1673Authorization Act (NDAA). Remedying these systemic challenges across1674our installation enterprise will only be possible with your continued1675support.1676                            current threats1677    The resiliency of our installations is critical to the Marine1678Corps' ability to sustain combat readiness and mission effectiveness in1679the face of a rapidly evolving global threat landscape. Our bases and1680stations are not simply fixed support structures but integrated nodes1681in our National defense architecture, which our adversaries will attack1682in all domains. Resilient infrastructure enables the Marine Corps to1683operate effectively under all conditions, in any threat environment, by1684maintaining a reliable power grid, ensuring the supply of potable1685water, and preserving communications that enable rapid mobilization,1686the deployment of forces, and the projection of credible combat power.1687This is why we are aggressively implementing the installation1688components of Force Design.1689    Our adversaries are working tirelessly to subvert the resiliency1690and daily operations of our bases and stations. China in particular is1691more comfortable using, combining, and coordinating all means- military1692and increasingly non-military-to achieve its operational and strategic1693ends than any other adversary we've encountered. Militarily, China's1694intent is to use air and sea attacks on our logistics networks to delay1695and deny sustainment of our forces. China's planned use of cyber1696attacks on our infrastructure will be designed to sow confusion and1697discord in our communities while denying us clean water, reliable power1698and electricity, effective sewage treatment, and other essential1699services. Such attacks will attempt to disrupt our command and control1700as well as our ability to project power from our installations.1701    Until recently, none of us currently in uniform have had to contend1702with a contested strategic or operational environment; we had1703unfettered access to and within the global commons for decades after1704the end of World War II. We could transport whatever we wanted wherever1705we wanted without fear of losing either that cargo or the platform1706transporting it. We could set up at a benign port or airfield and1707operate without any real threat to those operations. While we had the1708occasional rockets to contend with or even local attacks to repel, we1709never had to concern ourselves with existential threats to our global1710force posture.1711    Those days are effectively over, and our installations will1712undoubtedly be targets of adversarial intentions. In preparation for1713this contested environment, the Marine Corps is prioritizing1714investments and actions to improve the security of our facilities and1715harden them against modern threats.1716                               background1717    Though the Indo-Pacific remains the priority theater, our1718adversaries will not confine their activities to one region. They will1719contest us everywhere-including in our homeland. The weapons engagement1720zone can no longer be viewed as something confined to the First Island1721Chain, or any other limited geographic space. We should all expect the1722proverbial first shots in any conflict with China to be aimed at our1723infrastructure-not our infantry or aviation units.1724    Those fires will be in the form of cyber attacks on critical1725infrastructure, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) incursions, traditional1726electronic attack, and subversion or disruption via host-nationals or1727foreign nationals. Marine Corps networks have been attacked globally by1728China and other malicious actors, and they are under siege every day.1729In the last week of May, the Marine Corps confirmed hundreds of1730malicious attempts to access our information networks. The utility1731systems, communications networks, and other critical infrastructure1732supporting our installations remain under constant threat of adversary1733infiltration and exploitation due to obsolete cybersecurity1734infrastructure.1735    To succeed in such an environment, we will have to fight for our1736bases and stations, and not just from them. Simply stated, our1737installations are no longer administrative garrison sanctuaries, but1738rather critical terrain to be defended and contested as such.1739    To ensure we prevail in the next fight, wherever it may be, we must1740modernize and harden our installations-their physical infrastructure1741and especially their networks -against attacks on our ability to1742mobilize, project combat power, and sustain operational readiness. To1743support this, we are developing Force Design Optimization Plans (FDOPs)1744for our bases and stations, in addition to the Installation Master1745Plans being developed in accordance with requirements in a previous1746NDAA and title 10 U.S. Code Sec. 2864. Each FDOP will address new1747facility requirements, identify future FSRM and MILCON projects1748required to create the resilience necessary in conflict, and provide1749all project documentation (via the DD1391 package). Once completed,1750these plans will be made available to the Committee and provided to1751each Member with a Marine Corps installation in their state, territory,1752district, or adjacent district.1753   barracks 2030, service quality of life, and operational readiness1754                              imperatives1755    Improving the readiness and quality of life of our Marines and1756sailors via the full implementation of our Barracks 2030 Plan remains a1757top priority for the Commandant, and this will not change. Barracks17582030 is our service's most consequential infrastructure investment plan1759in 50 years, and its execution is essential to generating and1760sustaining readiness. It is also essential to fulfilling our1761obligation, our compact with the Marines and sailors we lead, to1762provide them the facilities to support quality sleep, behavioral and1763mental health, physical health and nutrition, and everything else to1764prepare them for the challenges they face the next day. Ensuring better1765sleep, dietary, and fitness outcomes should further contribute to fewer1766lost days due to fatigue, injury, or illness, and will contribute to1767our overall efforts to improve our culture of safety.1768    At present, we are unable to meet this obligation to our own1769uncompromising level of satisfaction, but we are dedicated to this1770mission and to remediating the devastating effects of decades of1771deferred maintenance within our installation portfolio.1772    The Commandant and I are committed to providing Marines the1773barracks they deserve and can be proud of, yet the obstacles to1774overcome are significant-and they are decades in the making, as noted1775in the CBO's Report on Deferred Maintenance in October 2024. It notes1776the Marine Corps has a deferred maintenance bill in the billions of1777dollars. The deferred costs at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, and Marine1778Corps Base Hawaii total at least $4 billion.1779    But as the Commandant says: We became Marines to do hard things,1780and remediating nearly two decades of underinvestment and deferred1781maintenance in our barracks in a fraction of the time is one of those1782hard things. At present, our Facilities Sustainment (FS) account is1783funded to 54% of the active component requirement of $1.3 billion, and178477% of the reserve component requirement. In total, our FSRM accounts1785are approximately 12% of our total operation and maintenance funding.1786    Despite these funding challenges, we are slowly eating into our1787total shortfalls, and over the past 24 months we have initiated the1788renovation and repair of 23 barracks at a total cost of approximately1789$300 million, which markedly improves the quality of life for 7,3001790Marines. While this is a good start, it is the proverbial drop in the1791bucket for a portfolio with 108 barracks in need of renovation1792estimated to cost more than $4 billion. The total estimated cost to1793fully implement Barracks 2030 is nearly $30 billion over the next1794several years for barracks modernization, material, and management1795requirements.1796    In addition to renovations, we must accelerate demolitions to1797right-size our inventory. While it may sound counterintuitive to1798identify increased demolition (physical destruction) as a requirement1799for improved quality of life, it is necessary to generate resources and1800improve the living conditions of our Marines. Our current inventory of1801658 barracks includes 69 that need to be demolished. Our plans include1802demolishing 37 barracks between FY 2026 and FY 2030, including seven at1803Camp Lejeune, six at Camp Pendleton, six at Marine Corps Air Station1804(MCAS) Miramar, eight at MCAS Yuma, and the remaining 10 at various1805other installations. Doing so will free the service from the costs of1806heating, cooling, cleaning, and repairing old, largely empty1807facilities, resulting in cost savings and avoidances of approximately1808$125 million per year.1809    During a previous hearing, my predecessor testified that many of1810our facilities lack air conditioning; this includes barracks at Camp1811Horno in Southern California. While no one thinks this is acceptable,1812few--if any--would think remediating this problem would require more1813resources than what the service has available in all FSRM accounts for1814the entire force--or in its warfighting readiness accounts for the1815operating forces.1816                             family housing1817    The Marine Corps remains focused on improving the Military Housing1818Privatization Initiative experience for Marines, sailors, and families.1819We have seen improvement in oversight, operation, maintenance, and1820customer service by our public-private venture (PPV) partners. We1821remain grateful for Congress' support for this additional oversight,1822and we hold property-management companies financially accountable for1823poor performance through incentive fee structures in our PPV business1824agreements.1825    Where there are issues with maintenance, work-order completions,1826and tenant satisfaction scores, the total incentive fee received by a1827property management company can be cut by tens of thousands of dollars,1828depending on the value of the property and the severity of performance1829shortfalls.1830    Aboard our two largest installations, Camp Lejeune and Camp1831Pendleton, we have reduced waiting times for housing. At present, the1832wait time for housing aboard Camp Lejeune is 1-9 months for junior1833Marines and 1-8 months for company-grade officers; for both groups,1834waiting times depend on the neighborhood and home size. At Camp1835Pendleton, the wait time for junior Marines is 1-4 months, with no wait1836in some neighborhoods. For company grade officers wait times range from1837a few weeks to 12 months depending on home size. While these wait times1838are improvements over previous years, we will strive to reduce them1839even further.1840                       child development centers1841    High-quality child care is a readiness priority for the Marine1842Corps, and we are matching that priority with investment in child care-1843related MILCON projects. A $44.1 million Child Development Center (CDC)1844at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton is currently under1845construction to add 250 childcare spaces, which will satisfy the1846existing demand for increased classroom capacity. In Guam, a $105.21847million CDC was awarded in May 2024 to support 276 childcare spaces,1848which will support our growing posture on the island. These new CDCs1849will offer increased childcare capacity where it is needed the most,1850facilitating necessary changes in our force's footprint and providing1851long-term relief from extended wait times. However, while construction1852helps resolve long wait times related to overall capacity at an1853installation, it does not solve more pressing issues related to1854staffing at our CDCs.1855    Currently, 16 of our installations operate CDCs. However, five1856locations-MCB Quantico, MCB Camp Lejeune/MCAS New River, MCAS Beaufort/1857Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, MCB Camp Pendleton,1858and MCB Hawaii-account for 75 percent of the Marine Corps' childcare1859waitlist. Those same five installations are operating at 85 percent of1860their authorized staffing levels due to difficulties attracting and1861retaining childcare workers. To address these unacceptable wait times,1862the Marine Corps is taking active steps to ensure that staffing levels1863at our CDCs meet the needs of our Marines, sailors, and families. More1864than 40 percent of our direct-care employees are Marine spouses, and1865PCS contributes to the annual turnover rate at our CDC facilities. To1866better support both our CDCs and Marine spouse employment, we have1867established a program that allows for non-competitive transfer of1868childcare employees, so they can transfer seamlessly to a new duty1869station. Through this program, the Marine Corps has retained more than1870180 spouse employees in our CDC workforce. Also, in line with1871requirements laid out in Section 633 of the FY25 NDAA and in alignment1872with Department of Defense guidance, the Marine Corps has implemented a1873``no fee'' first-child discount for all direct-care employees at our1874CDCs to attract qualified candidates and increase employee retention.1875    The Marine Corps also provides Military Child Care in Your1876Neighborhood (MCCYN) fee assistance for families without access to on-1877base child care, whether due to wait lists or being stationed at a1878location without a nearby CDC. In FY24, more than 1,800 children were1879enrolled in the MCCYN program, with 733 community-based providers,1880ensuring greater childcare availability for Marine families while also1881supporting local businesses. These efforts directly support Marine1882families and enhance overall force readiness.1883                         fy 2025 milcon update1884    The Marine Corps is executing its fiscal year 2025 MILCON program1885with appropriations provided by the FY 2025 continuing resolution. To1886posture ourselves in the best manner to serve the Nation, we are1887investing in the following areas:18881889Pacific Posture:18901891  --Marine Corps Base Hawaii: We are constructing a new aircraft hangar1892        to support the home basing of KC-130J and MQ-9 aircraft. The1893        KC-130J is the Marine Corps' largest organic aviation platform,1894        offering increased in-theater lift capability for troops and1895        equipment. The MQ-9 is now the Marine Corps' largest UAS, and1896        offers persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance1897        capabilities over extended ranges. Both of these aviation1898        platforms will provide crucial support to the joint force in1899        the Indo-Pacific.19001901  --Guam: Guam is the only location west of the international dateline1902        that we have guaranteed access to in a conflict. With this in1903        mind, we are fully committed to ensuring our footprint in Guam1904        can support the forces necessary to deter, and if necessary,1905        prevail in conflict. We are building a new youth center to1906        support Marine families stationed on the island. We are also1907        constructing earth-covered magazines to store modern ordnance.1908        These projects contribute to key components of force readiness,1909        supporting the personal and operational requirements of Marines1910        as we adjust our forward posture.19111912  --Australia: We are making improvements to our posture at Australian1913        Air Force Base Darwin, including the construction of an1914        aircraft maintenance hangar and maintenance support facilities.1915        These investments will provide increased maintenance and1916        storage capacity in support of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin1917        and theater security cooperation missions in the Indo-Pacific.19181919Modernization of Aviation Support Facilities:19201921  --Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina: We1922        are constructing new maintenance facilities and hangar space at1923        MCAS Cherry Point, NC. This includes a sustainment center to1924        accommodate F-35 aircraft, maintenance and storage space, and1925        secure data network areas. Additionally, a composite repair1926        facility will provide a depot-level support for advanced1927        composite materials and rotor-blade repair.19281929Marine Forces Reserve:19301931  --Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington: We are investing in a new1932        parachute survival training facility, for the maintenance,1933        repair, and storage of parachutes, as well as storage and1934        maintenance of arms for Marine Corps Reserve units in1935        Washington.19361937    This MILCON program is a balanced approach and reaffirms our1938enduring commitment to the Indo- Pacific, with five projects in the1939region. Ultimately, this program enables us to provide and sustain1940Marine forces that support our National security interests as1941identified by our civilian leaders. We remain grateful for your1942continued support in this continual endeavor.1943         advanced manufacturing and the organic industrial base1944    Across the Marine Corps, organizations face common operational1945readiness challenges such as equipment obsolescence, diminishing1946manufacturing sources, and materiel shortages. Meanwhile, persistent1947supply-chain issues cause long lead times for parts replacement.1948    To mitigate these challenges, the Marine Corps is improving and1949standardizing the implementation of advanced manufacturing practices at1950all levels of command across the enterprise. Advanced manufacturing1951creates opportunities to fully realize the value of distributed1952operations and shore up supply-chain gaps in real time and at the point1953of need. The technology for construction-scale additive manufacturing1954(AM) is rapidly maturing, and we seek to invest in capabilities such as1955concrete AM to address some immediate shortfalls in storage structures.1956With Congress' continued support of our AM innovations, we will rapidly1957deliver maintenance and storage facilities for newly developed weapons1958systems and munitions while reducing costs and timelines for design and1959construction. While such capability is particularly valuable in1960expeditionary environments, it offers similar value for more permanent1961installations as well.1962    The Marine Corps' Organic Industrial Base remains critical to both1963weapon system sustainment and Fleet Marine Force readiness. The Marine1964Corps' depot-level maintenance facilities repair 85 percent of the1965service's ground equipment and directly support overflow field-level1966maintenance for all three Marine Expeditionary Forces and Marine Forces1967Reserve. During conflict, the Marine Corps' depot level maintenance1968capability provides battle damage repair both forward and at the depots1969ensuring damaged weapons systems return to the fight as quickly as1970possible. Investments in AM technology will support this critical1971mission, and in any future conflict, positioning more capable machines1972as far forward as possible will reduce our reliance on overburdened1973supply chains in a contested environment.1974                               conclusion1975    The Marine Corps Installations and Logistics enterprise is1976aggressively pursuing modernization initiatives and improvements to our1977posture in the Indo-Pacific. As the Marine Corps continues its1978transformation to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving threat1979environment, it is abundantly clear our installations are no longer1980administrative garrison sanctuaries-they are warfighting enablers in1981their own right.1982    In the next fight, our installations will be as engaged and1983essential to success as any of our warfighting formations. Against a1984near-peer or peer adversary, we will certainly fight from our bases but1985may also be required to fight for our bases, to preserve access to the1986capabilities they provide our forces around the world. Our bases and1987stations, at home and abroad, will be on the front lines of logistics,1988command and control, cyber resilience, and force projection. Our1989installations will sustain Marines operating in contested, distributed,1990and degraded environments. They will serve as critical nodes in a1991network of stand-in forces and must be capable of enduring disruption,1992adapting to new threats, and sustaining lethality over time. We must1993plan, posture, and protect our installations accordingly.1994    Every dollar invested in MILCON and infrastructure readiness1995returns immense value to the Nation, supporting quality of life,1996enabling forward presence, accelerating modernization, and ensuring we1997can respond decisively to crises before they become conflicts. We will1998show up every day and prove ourselves worthy of the trust of our1999Marines, our partners, and the American people by demonstrating our2000stewardship, accountability, and readiness.2001    Thanks to the steadfast support of Congress, we are making real2002progress. From Barracks 2030 to cutting-edge logistics hubs and2003resilient infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific, we are preparing our2004installations to be mission-critical assets prepared to support our2005warfighters in any future campaign. But this is only the beginning. The2006pace of change demands we continue this momentum and accelerate it.2007    The Marine Corps remains the Nation's premier force in readiness,2008and we are grateful for your partnership. Together, we will ensure our2009installations are as resilient and ready as the Marines they support.2010    Thank you for the opportunity to testify, and for your enduring2011commitment to our mission, our infrastructure, and the Marines who2012stand ready to defend our Nation. Semper Fidelis.20132014    Senator Boozman. Thank you. And General Miller.20152016STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL TOM D. MILLER, DEPUTY2017            CHIEF OF STAFF FOR LOGISTICS, ENGINEERING,2018            AND FORCE PROTECTION, UNITED STATES AIR2019            FORCE2020    General Miller. Good morning, Chair Boozman and Ranking2021Member Ossoff, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee.2022    I am honored to appear today to discuss the fiscal year20232026 Air Force Military Construction Program. I would like to2024begin by thanking the subcommittee for your steadfast support2025of our Nation's Air Force and the Military Construction funding2026that you have provided. Multiple projects, including an air2027traffic control tower, a childcare development center, and2028multiple Military Construction projects, benefited from the2029$160 million in additional appropriations provided by Congress2030beyond the fiscal year 2025 President's Budget.2031    Importantly, $487 million that Congress provided for the2032fiscal year 2025 Disaster Relief Supplemental provides much-2033needed resources to support Anderson Air Force Base's recovery2034from the devastation of Typhoon Mawar.2035    Our Nation continues to face a nexus of complex challenges:2036Defending the homeland, deterring the pacing threat of China in2037the Indo-Pacific, the increasing complexity of multi-domain2038threats, and the competition for resources, and the increasing2039rate of technological change.2040    The People's Liberation Army continues expanding,2041modernizing, and diversifying its entire Military, including2042its air, space, cyber, and nuclear forces. In the face of these2043challenges, this year's fiscal year 2026 budget reflects2044ongoing modernization efforts, including revolutionizing global2045strike capabilities built around the Sentinel and the B-212046Raider.2047    Sentinel is the largest, most complex weapon system2048acquisition program the Air Force has ever undertaken. We are2049working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense in seeking2050opportunities to reduce costs while revising the program's2051Milestone B recertification.2052    MILCON for Sentinel support facilities at Vandenberg Space2053Force Base, and Hill, F.E. Warren, and Malmstrom Air Force2054bases continue as the program restructures. The budget request2055includes funding for utility corridors and design for launch2056and control facilities, support to the B-21 program across2057Ellsworth, Dyess, Whiteman Air Force bases is also included in2058this year's submission.2059    Without question, our airmen are the foundation of the Air2060Force. This request preserves the well-being and quality of2061life for service members and their families through investment2062in much-needed housing and childcare development centers.2063Generous congressional support in fiscal years 2022 through20642025 funded most of our CDC projects that were currently2065executable design stage. The Air Force is actively working on2066design of 15 additional CDC projects totaling $492 million for2067inclusion in future budget submissions.2068    Additionally, in fiscal year 2026, the Air Force Military2069Family Housing and Construction program focuses on planning2070studies, designs for future construction, and two projects2071improving housing in Japan, one at Yokota and one at Kadena Air2072Base.2073    In closing, the Air Force's strong partnership with this2074subcommittee's members, the dedicated staff, are both essential2075to the modernization of our assets, the safety of our2076installations, and the welfare of our airmen and our families.2077    I look forward to continuing to support, and to this2078hearing today. Thank you.2079    [The statement follows:]20802081Prepared Statement of Lt. Gen. Tom D. Miller and Brig. Gen. Zachary S.2082                               Warakomski2083                              introduction2084    Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff, and distinguished Members2085of the Sub- committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss the2086Department of the Air Force (DAF) Fiscal Year 2026 Military2087Construction Program.2088    Our installations remain the platforms from which we enable and2089project combat power in and through the air, cyber, and space domains.2090DAF installations serve as key nodes in a global network of operating2091locations that enable Joint Force mission success around the world;2092making the readiness, resiliency, and sustainability of installations2093matters of strategic importance. Our installations are where we train2094and equip for joint operations, control, and sustain air and space2095weapon systems, test new weapon systems, generate readiness, and2096provide safe, healthy communities that many of our Airmen, Guardians,2097and their families call home.2098    Our nation continues to face the nexus of complex challenges:2099deterring the pacing threat of China in the Indo-Pacific region; the2100increasing complexity of multi-domain threats; the competition for2101access to resources; and the increasing rate of technological change.2102The People's Liberation Army is expanding, modernizing, and2103diversifying its entire military-including cyber, space, and nuclear2104forces-at a rapid pace to support revisionist goals and objectives.2105These developments pose unique and fundamentally new challenges for2106deterrence, and while conflict is certainly not inevitable, the risk of2107military confrontation is increased in this environment.2108    This new strategic environment demands that we reestablish the2109warrior ethos, and rebuild the lethal and ready force, to provide the2110warfighting capability our Nation needs to compete and win. A2111foundational element of our deterrence is our installation2112infrastructure. We must ensure our installations are resilient,2113optimized, and operationally efficient to successfully defend the2114homeland; prevail against the full range of threats; deter strategic2115attacks against the United States, our allies, and our partners; deter2116aggression and be prepared to prevail in conflict when necessary.2117    In the face of these challenges, this year's budget reflects2118continued modernization efforts revolutionizing global strike2119capabilities built around the B-21 Raider and Sentinel Ground Based2120Strategic Deterrent; developing and fielding the Next Generation Air2121Dominance family-of- systems; cost-effective, resilient forward basing;2122and an expeditious transition to a wartime posture. The DAF Military2123Construction (MILCON) program continues to prioritize nuclear2124enterprise modernization and combatant command (CCMD) infrastructure2125support with an emphasis on the Pacific and Europe. The Facilities2126Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM) portfolio remains2127focused on sustaining our existing infrastructure. Furthermore, we2128preserve the well-being and quality of life of our servicemembers and2129their families through investments in housing, dormitories, and child2130development centers (CDCs). We remain committed to sustaining the DAF's2131power projection platforms. We appreciate the continued partnership2132with Congress to ensure the Air Force and Space Force are well-postured2133to defend the homeland, deter, and win.2134                  infrastructure: long-term readiness2135    The budget request includes infrastructure and other long-term2136readiness investments that we must fund now to create sustained2137readiness over time- to be prepared to fight well into the future. As2138the Air Force continues to focus balancing available resources against2139the current strategic environment and across the different time2140horizons, our infrastructure requires careful re- examination to ensure2141it is both resilient and efficient. Years of competing priorities have2142eroded the Air Force's ability to maintain its infrastructure across2143the globe. Simultaneously, air bases are threatened in ways not seen in2144modern history.2145    Installation resiliency has proven to be increasingly important as2146adversary long-range precision-attack capabilities have rapidly2147improved. Particularly in the Indo-Pacific, China has spent decades2148building a deep magazine of advanced cruise and ballistic missiles2149specifically to threaten U.S. force presence in the region. In2150response, the Air Force has spent considerable time, energy, and2151resources to develop an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) scheme of2152maneuver, emphasizing rapid mobility and force dispersal in the region.2153ACE complicates the adversary's wartime calculus and denies them the2154lucrative targeting opportunities that known, fixed, and thinly2155protected locations provide. Air Force installation infrastructure2156provides the backbone enabling our long-term readiness.2157                             installations2158    The DAF relies on its MILCON and FSRM programs to provide ready and2159resilient installations. Yet, relying on direct investment at the2160historically budgeted levels is insufficient to reverse the2161longstanding trend of deteriorating facilities and failing2162infrastructure. Our portfolio of 177 installations, 69,000 facilities,2163and 183 million square yards of airfield pavement is not sized to2164optimize the vital infrastructure of the current force structure.2165    Two decades of assuming risk in infrastructure investment, coupled2166with the burden of excess infrastructure, has led to a backlog of2167maintenance and repair requirements and degraded infrastructure. The2168Department works to mitigate these challenges by setting clear2169objectives, goals, and key actions to align installations with critical2170mission capabilities; optimize vital infrastructure; and maximize2171mission assurance.2172    The Air Force currently carries significant excess infrastructure2173across the board, along with a $49.5 billion maintenance backlog that2174continues to grow. Since 1990, the Air Force has reduced in size2175considerably, including a 35% reduction in end strength and a 60%2176reduction in fighter squadrons, but it has only reduced its CONUS2177footprint by 15%. Moreover, today, roughly half of all infrastructure2178across the Air Force is in a moderate or high-risk condition. While the2179Air Force has been able to prioritize its resources to keep critical2180mission generation infrastructure (e.g., runways) in good working2181order, such prioritization has come at the expense of our supporting2182infrastructure. For example, over 70% of utility infrastructure on Air2183Force bases in the Indo-Pacific are in a high- risk condition, a2184problem made acute by the highly corrosive tropical or arctic2185environments of many facilities and by limited skilled local labor.2186Additionally, our buying power has eroded, with construction costs2187rising roughly 50% in the last 10 years.2188                        installation resilience2189    Ruggedizing our installations against evolving natural and man-made2190threats to continually project power and compete in an era of pacing2191threats from the People's Liberation Army is paramount for overall2192installation resilience and Department of Air Force mission assurance.2193    The Air Force appreciates the approximately $1.6 billion provided2194in the December 21, 2024, American Relief Act. The $487.3 million2195MILCON funding is being used to design and construct the critical2196infrastructure projects necessary to address the destruction resulting2197from Typhoon Mawar on Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. Moreover,2198the flexibility provided in the Disaster Relief Supplemental language2199will allow us to construct facilities to be more resilient to future2200destructive weather events.2201                         special interest items2202                   natural disaster recovery efforts2203    The Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) program has greatly benefitted2204from Congressional support over the last several fiscal years and we2205are seeing the results of this sustained and significant investment.2206The program is substantially complete with only two projects remaining2207to be awarded at Tyndall AFB, Florida. To date, we've awarded 96% of2208the NDR program, totaling over $4 billion of investments to improve2209mission readiness, resilience, and efficiency at Tyndall AFB, Florida,2210Offutt AFB, Nebraska, and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.2211    taking care of people: child development centers and dormitories2212    We strive to provide a high quality of life for our members and2213their families. At the heart of that goal is affordable, accessible2214childcare for our Airmen and Guardians and safe, high-quality dorms for2215our unaccompanied members.2216    The inability to access affordable and quality childcare can impact2217a Servicemember's ability to report for duty and his or her decision to2218stay in the service. To this end, the DAF is using a two-prong2219programmatic approach to improve CDCs: targeted investments in FSRM to2220address facility condition concerns, and posturing MILCON projects to2221increase capacity. The DAF continues to invest in CDCs through our2222MILCON and FSRM, of the 138 CDCs in the DAF inventory, none are in poor2223or failing condition.2224    In FY 2025, we are spending $224 million in FSRM funding on six CDC2225projects. Additionally, Congressional support in FY 2022 through FY22262025 funded most of the CDC MILCON projects currently at an executable2227design stage (information on specific projects included in the FY 20262228request will be provided once available). The Child and Youth Facility2229Master Plan facilitates project advocacy by identifying CDC MILCON and2230FSRM projects that address child and youth facility condition and2231capacity challenges. The FY 2025 Continuing Resolution (CR) Spend Plan2232includes $59 million for the CDC at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, which2233will also serve as the Department's first use of mass timber2234construction, and a $22.4 million addition and alteration of an2235existing CDC at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.2236    Equally important to us is providing unaccompanied service members2237with high-quality housing on our dormitory campuses. We will meet the2238National Defense Authorization Act (FY22 NDAA) for FY 2022 Quality2239quality-of-life requirements for permanent-party dorms by investing2240$1.1 billion across FY 2022-2026 to address facility and living2241conditions. This is a nearly three-fold increase over the previous 52242years. The Government Accountability Office report on barracks2243identified many issues; however, problems with our dorms are limited,2244and we remain committed to providing safe and adequate living2245conditions.2246    The DAF investment strategy for unaccompanied housing remains2247focused on restoration and modernization of dorms using FSRM funds,2248which allows MILCON funds to address capacity shortfalls and facility2249recapitalization. Additionally, the DAF appreciates the pilot program2250authority provided in the FY24 NDAA allowing the replacement of2251dormitories using FSRM funds when needed repairs exceed 75% of the2252MILCON project to replace it. Though the DAF has few dormitories that2253meet the replacement criteria, we can certainly make great use in some2254high-need areas. The FY25 CR Spend Plan included two new dorm projects,2255one at Joint Base Langley Eustis, Virginia for $106 million, and the2256first increment of a Medical Education and Training Campus dormitory at2257Joint Base San Antonio for $77 million.2258    The DAF remains steadfast in our support to our Airmen, Guardians2259and their families. Reducing childcare waitlists by 45% (from October22602023 through October 2024) is a significant achievement, but sustaining2261this progress requires consistent funding for on-base childcare2262options, subsidies, and staffing. Since FY19, 13 funded CDC projects2263created 2,100 new childcare slots. Our commitment to family housing2264remains strong, with $550 million allocated for FY 2024-FY2025 to2265sustain safe living facilities for our Airmen. The DAF will continue to2266enhance quality of life for our service members and their families2267through construction of quality housing and childcare facilities.2268            fiscal year 2025 air force milcon cr spend plan2269    In FY 2025, the active-Duty Air Force and Space Force MILCON2270program is $3.35 billion. This funding supports the DAF's commitment to2271fulfilling our strategic requirements, postures us for the future high-2272end fight, and ensures we continue taking care of our Airmen,2273Guardians, and their families. The program supports Combatant2274Commanders with a focus on the Pacific and European theaters and2275modernizing the nuclear enterprise. Additionally, the MILCON program2276continues efforts to bed down new weapons systems and seeks to2277recapitalize facilities that have outlived their usable life or no2278longer meet mission requirements. Our request also focused on Design to2279reinforce the Air Force's MILCON program stability and consistency.2280Program stability continues to be a major focus, ensuring mature2281projects are included in the budget and improving confidence they will2282award within the programmed amount in the year of appropriation.2283                   combatant commander infrastructure2284    The FY25 MILCON CR Spend Plan prioritized CCMD requirements with a2285particular emphasis on the Indo-Pacific and European theaters. Direct2286support to the CCMDs accounts for 17% of the FY25 MILCON program and2287aligns with the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance to Build a2288More Lethal Force, while directly Prioritizing Preparedness for War.2289Our FY25 program addresses some of the urgent U.S. Indo-Pacific Command2290(USINDOPACOM), U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), and U.S. European2291Command (USEUCOM) facility priorities.2292    Support to USINDOPACOM will enhance the United States' defensive2293posture in the region, reassure allies and partners, and increase2294readiness capabilities. The investment of resources to improve2295infrastructure and facilities throughout the Indo-Pacific Theater2296provides our allies, partners, and potential competitors a clear2297indication of the United States' long-term commitment to the region.2298Three projects in the FY25 CR Spend Plan support the Pacific Deterrence2299Initiative (PDI) totaling $187.4 million: a runway extension at Yap2300International Airport ($96 million), Federated States of Micronesia; a2301Theatre Corrosion Control Hangar, Kadena AB, Japan ($66.4 million); and2302the Tactical Multi-Mission Over-the-Horizon Radar project in Palau ($252303million).2304    The Air Force remains committed to USEUCOM priorities and its2305European partners for collective security and territorial integrity. In2306FY25, the Air Force CR Spend Plan included $106 million for the2307European theater to support the prepositioning of equipment in Denmark.2308This project will further improve deterrence efforts in the theater and2309enable joint and coalition forces to quickly respond to aggressive2310regional actors. The Air Force CR Spend Plan also supported Combatant2311Commands within the United States to include a continued focus on2312Weapons Generation Facilities directly supporting USSTRATCOM at2313Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota and Malmstrom AFB, Montana.2314                         new mission bed downs2315    Approximately 41% of the program, $1.42 billion, supports New2316Weapon Systems to ensure the DAF remains the world's premier air and2317space force. These systems include the Sentinel Ground Based Strategic2318Deterrent, B-21 bomber, C-130J, F-35 fighter, T-7A training aircraft,2319Long Range Stand Off facilities, F-16 Mission Training Center, Combat2320Rescue Helicopter, Over the Horizon Radar System, and the E-11A2321Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft.2322    The DoD is building a force that is lethal, resilient, sustainable,2323survivable, agile, and responsive through modernization of key2324capabilities, the first of which are nuclear forces. The FY25 CR Spend2325Plan continues the focus on modernizing the nuclear enterprise by2326supporting the bed down of new weapons systems and missions. The plan2327funds four projects at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, for a total of2328$284.5 million, and two projects at Dyess AFB, Texas, totaling $31.32329million to bed down B-21 Raiders. It also includes three projects at2330F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, totaling $417 million, a project at Malmstrom2331AFB, Montana, totaling $20 million, and two projects at Vandenberg2332Space Force Base (SFB), California, totaling $277 million, to support2333transition from the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile2334weapon system to the Sentinel Weapon System.2335    Sentinel will develop and deploy modern Aerospace Vehicle2336Equipment, Command and Launch infrastructure (e.g. launch facilities,2337launch centers, and other ground infrastructure), and Support Equipment2338& Trainers. The Sentinel program is the largest Air Force land2339acquisition effort since the original Minuteman, primarily to acquire2340temporary construction easements for utility corridors in the missile2341fields. The Minuteman III-to-Sentinel conversion must occur on a2342precise timeline to maintain the operational readiness of the nuclear.2343We will continue to inform Congress on the Air Force's progress during2344design, construction, and commissioning of Sentinel facilities. Once2345online, the B-21 Raider and Sentinel weapons systems will ensure the2346Air Force can effectively deliver two-thirds of the Nation's nuclear2347triad well into the future, should the need ever arise.2348                   existing mission recapitalization2349    The FY25 MILCON CR Spend Plan also includes $719.2 million to fund2350current mission projects, focusing on the most critical2351recapitalization of existing infrastructure. It also includes a new2352dormitory in Virginia and another in Texas, a CDC in Idaho, research2353facilities in Massachusetts, Joint Integrated Test and Training Center2354in Alaska, Security Forces facility in Georgia, a Fire Station in Ohio,2355the U.S. portion of a NATO Airlift Hangar in Spain, and support for2356infrastructure in the United Kingdom.2357                                 design2358    Design funding remains a central focus of the DAF program to2359reinforce program stability and consistency. Sufficient design funding2360enables projects to progress rapidly through design and meet maturity2361criteria for admissibility into the program, provides more accurate2362cost estimates, and maximizes the opportunity to award projects in the2363year of appropriation. Without sufficient design funding, the Air Force2364must award designs by design phase, adding risk associated with costs2365and timely delivery of design. The DAF design program includes weapons-2366system-specific design funds supporting the B-21, Sentinel, Survivable2367Airborne Operations Center, and other programs.2368            housing construction, operation and maintenance2369    Quality of life for our Airmen and Guardians and their families2370remains a top readiness priority for the DAF. We continue to focus2371investment and innovation on our housing, dormitories, and CDCs.2372                   dormitories/unaccompanied housing2373    The DAF is on track to meet the FSRM investment requirements2374established by the FY22 NDAA. This is part of the largest dorm2375investment in over a decade. However, we recognize more is needed. In2376FY2022-FY2024, we funded 104 projects totaling $570 million to repair2377and renovate dorms, HVACs, roofs, and other critical facility systems.2378Projects are underway or being planned at 18 installations that will2379continue our efforts to improve quality of life for our most junior2380Airmen and Guardians.2381    The DAF unaccompanied housing (UH) inventory includes nearly 58,0002382permanent party and over 45,600 training beds. Per FY24 NDAA2383requirements, interim guidance from DoD established Building Condition2384Index (BCI, a 0-100 scale) as the UH Uniform Condition Index. The DAF's2385overall strategy remains focused on restoring and modernizing dorms2386with FSRM funds and addressing capacity shortfalls and facility2387recapitalization with MILCON funds. The DAF Dormitory Master Plan2388guides this effort by providing the comprehensive forecasts, estimates,2389and recommendations required to strategically execute dormitory2390projects when and where they are most needed. Current assessments show23910.1% of permanent party beds are rated less than 60 on the BCI.2392    Training dorms are another key component of our military service2393members' growth and development. Current assessments show only 0.1% of2394training beds are rated less than 60 BCI. Notably, the DAF executed2395seven FSRM projects for $67 million at training dorms in FY23-FY24.2396                             family housing2397    The DAF is focused on eliminating inadequate housing from the DAF2398inventory and correcting health and safety deficiencies. In addition to2399enabling planning studies, designing for future construction projects,2400and renovating existing DAF-owned homes, the Military Family Housing2401construction program also supports restructuring Military Housing2402Privatization Initiative (MHPI) projects.2403    In FY26, the DAF Military Family Housing construction program2404focuses on planning studies, designs for future construction and two2405projects to improve housing in Japan: one project at Yokota AB and one2406at Kadena AB.2407    Our Military Family Housing Operation and Maintenance (O&M) funds2408efforts to sustain, improve, and modernize our inventory of2409approximately 14,900 DAF-owned family housing units and provides2410enhanced oversight of over 52,000 privatized homes. Combined, the2411family housing O&M and construction programs will ensure continued2412support for the housing needs of Airmen, Guardians, their families and2413caregivers, as well as our Army, Navy, and Marine Corps teammates2414living in DAF-owned and privatized family housing.2415    The DAF MHPI inventory contains over 52,000 privatized end-state2416unit homes spanning 31 projects across 63 installations. In some cases,2417the financial assumptions and economics of the deals fell short of2418expectations through no fault of the project owners. In these cases,2419the DAF requests funding to restructure to ensure projects don't2420default on loans and conditions of the homes remain acceptable.2421                           privatized housing2422    Quality, affordable housing has a direct correlation to2423recruitment, retention, and readiness. Hence, we remain focused on2424improved oversight, long-term financial health, and sustainment of the2425housing inventory. We are committed to ensuring MHPI projects provide2426safe, quality, and well-maintained housing where military members and2427their families and caregivers will want and choose to live.2428    We continue our efforts to improve our privatized housing portfolio2429and address the remaining elements of the MHPI reforms set out in the2430FY 2020-23 NDAAs. We made significant progress to implement reforms to2431enhance our oversight of privatized housing and hold MHPI companies2432accountable for providing quality housing. Specifically, several2433congressionally mandated provisions were implemented throughout various2434DAF housing programs.2435    Since 2020, we have added 218 government positions across the2436privatized housing program, increased inspections, provided additional2437training to housing personnel, and revamped housing governance. We2438continue to maintain Resident Councils for two-way communication2439between the residents and installation and project owner leadership. We2440then use feedback from tenant satisfaction surveys to develop action2441plans for improving the residents' experiences and encourage our2442Airmen, Guardians, and their families to engage with resident advocates2443to help resolve any disputes and improve communications among all2444relevant DAF stakeholders.2445    We also expanded our metrics for assessing the health of the2446privatized housing portfolio, particularly with regards to resident2447satisfaction, maintenance quality and responsiveness, and property2448management operations. Most of our private partners meet or exceed DAF2449standards as prescribed in our metrics. However, when we identify2450concerns with operational performance, we have placed a small number of2451private partners on Community Action Plans, or if more systemic, on2452Performance Improvement Plans with milestones and schedules. The goal2453is to remedy deficiencies and ensure our military families receive2454quality service and housing.2455    Some privatized housing projects require financial restructuring to2456continue to remain financially stable and market comparable. The2457restructure goals are to ensure the projects can fully fund operational2458expenses, debt servicing, and sustainment of the homes for the life of2459the lease and also fund reinvestment needs during the mid-term2460reinvestment period.2461                       united states space force2462    Space Force Guardians secure our Nation's interests in, from, and2463to space. Our core purpose as a service is to achieve space superiority2464in a rapidly evolving and increasingly contested domain. Space2465superiority requires the Space Force to be trained, equipped, and ready2466to conduct space warfighting operations. Through achieving space2467superiority, the Space Force will provide the foundation for the Joint2468Force to project power and dominate other domains, secure the homeland,2469deter, and, if necessary, defeat aggressors who threaten our Nation and2470way of life.2471    The Space Force presents combat-ready squadrons and detachments to2472the combatant commands through component field commands. While the2473service provides deployable combat detachments to the combatant2474commands, most of the combat-ready space forces we field are employed-2475in-place, meaning we execute combatant command missions from our2476installations, which serve as power projection platforms. Mission-2477ready, resilient installations and facilities are therefore integral to2478Space Force readiness and warfighting effectiveness.2479    The Space Force is committed to resourcing infrastructure2480requirements by identifying those projects that directly impact the2481performance of weapons systems and prioritizing them for funding2482consideration. We prioritize projects balancing weapons systems,2483quality of life, and force support infrastructure requirements to2484reduce risk to mission and address the requirements of an independent2485military service. Our investment in MILCON increases capacity and focus2486on reducing risk to mission and force. We've placed a particular2487emphasis on mission bed down, energy resilience, assured access to2488space, security improvements, and combatant command requirements within2489the Indo-Pacific. Our investments in FSRM address existing2490infrastructure and focus on improving readiness and quality of life for2491Guardians, Airmen, their families and mission partners. These2492initiatives are focused on electrical, heating and cooling, water, fire2493suppression, roofs, and dorm improvements.2494                         military construction2495    MILCON increases capacity and readiness for the Space Force. The2496Space Force received $109.8 million in the FY25 MILCON CR Spend Plan.2497FY25 USSF Unspecified Minor Military Construction projects include $7.22498million to install redundant power distribution at Strategic Weapons2499System Ashore and Space Launch Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Space Force2500Station (SFS), Florida; $6.3 million to install an emergency generator2501at Morrell Operations Center, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida; and $112502million to replace fire and water wells at Clear SFS, Alaska. The first2503two projects support our Spaceport of the Future (SOTF) initiative.2504Additionally, $84.9 million was included in the FY25 MILCON CR Spend2505Plan for Design, including $63 million for assured access to space2506(Spaceport of the Future). This significant Design request is necessary2507for projects to rapidly develop, to provide accurate estimates, and2508maximize the opportunity to award future MILCON projects in the year of2509appropriation.2510    In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving security2511threats, the Space Force needs agile space architecture to2512appropriately address the unpredictable challenges we face. The launch2513complex remains the foundation of our assured access to space. Assured2514access to space procures launch services and delivers on-orbit2515capabilities used by joint warfighters, combatant commands,2516intelligence agencies, civilian services, and the commercial space2517industry. Globally competitive ranges with capacity and infrastructure2518to support launch and test operations on demand therefore advance our2519National security interests.2520    The SOTF program invests USSF MILCON dollars into our aging launch2521infrastructure to guarantee the DoD's ability to provide world-class2522launch capabilities to public and private partners. Launch Ranges at2523Cape Canaveral SFS and Vandenberg SFB were established in the 1950s to2524support long range testing and emerging government space launch2525actions. Despite the infrastructure for these ranges being established2526decades ago, they have been continuously maintained, sustained, and2527improved through the years to meet the needs of a limited range2528customer base.2529    However, as demand for national security, civil, and commercial2530space capabilities continues to grow, our launch range infrastructure2531has not modernized sufficiently to meet the significant increase in2532launch demand. Accordingly, the Space Force undertook a broad effort to2533analyze our launch infrastructure enterprise and assess range2534modernization efforts to maximize our ability to support U.S. launch2535requirements. Launch rates rose approximately 30% each of the last 22536years, and we expect rates to continue to rise through the Future Years2537Defense Plan. Therefore, the Space Force is prioritizing enhancements2538so that we have the infrastructure needed to meet these launch demands.2539Increased demand requires significant planning and resources; all of2540which are captured under SOTF. SOTF is an all-encompassing initiative2541for which the Space Force is taking a comprehensive, holistic approach2542to review all factors contributing to range costs and launch2543throughput.2544          facility sustainment, restoration, and modernization2545    We view the FSRM and MILCON programs as interdependent. Together,2546these funding streams provide the sustainable foundation for 14 Space2547Force installations and more than 80 smaller geographically separate2548units, sites, and ranges. FSRM preserves infrastructure readiness by2549providing flexibility to repair facilities and infrastructure, thereby2550maximizing lifespan. The Space Force received $444.5 million in the2551FY25 MILCON CR Spend Plan.2552    Our top FSRM execution priority areas as a service are Combat2553Readiness and Mission Assurance. Space Force FSRM focuses on2554installation resiliency and enabling our employed-in- place force2555presentation model. Our FSRM investments strengthen our installations2556as warfighting platforms and ensure the availability of these weapons2557systems for our no-fail missions.2558                            quality of life2559    The Space Force's employed-in-place model presents unique2560challenges to Guardians.2561    Given most of our members are not deployed downrange like many of2562their sister service counterparts, Guardians must balance executing2563their mission and managing the responsibilities of family and home2564life.2565    To maintain morale, retain our members and their families, and2566secure mission readiness, Space Force quality of life programs and2567associated MILCON and FSRM investments serve as essential force2568multipliers. Our service is committed to investing MILCON and FSRM2569resources to support CDCs and providing safe, quality, well-maintained2570housing and dorms for Guardians and their families. When our Guardians2571are free from worry, they can better dedicate themselves to protecting2572our Nation's interests in, from, and to space.2573                       weapon system sustainment2574    Space Superiority also relies on a robust Weapon System Sustainment2575(WSS) strategy, fully integrated with FSRM and MILCON programs. This2576integrated approach is critical given the Space Force's employed-in-2577place operational posture. WSS directly contributes to space2578superiority by ensuring sustained system availability and2579maintainability through depot-level maintenance, including software2580updates and sustained engineering. This proactive sustainment posture2581safeguards equipment health and readiness, ultimately maximizing2582operational capability and ensuring continued dominance in the space2583domain.2584    Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Department of the Air2585Force's MILCON and FSRM programs. We appreciate Congress' continued2586support for our enterprise and look forward to working with you on our2587MILCON and FSRM priorities.25882589    Senator Boozman. Thank you. General Warakomski.25902591STATEMENT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL ZACHARY S. WARAKOMSKI,2592            ASSISTANT DEPUTY CHIEF OF SPACE OPERATIONS2593            FOR OPERATIONS, CYBER, AND NUCLEAR, UNITED2594            STATES SPACE FORCE2595    General Warakomski. Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member2596Ossoff, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank2597you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of the U.S. Space2598Force for our Military Construction Program.2599    The Space Force remains laser-focused on securing our2600nation's interest in, from, and to space, and as access to2601space grows, the strategic landscape is becoming increasingly2602complex. Many of our systems were fielded in an uncontested2603environment, and today our adversaries are aggressively2604fielding capabilities to contest and ultimately control space,2605fundamentally shifting it into a warfighting domain.2606    They are also posturing to challenge our critical2607infrastructure both at home and abroad. Meanwhile, our2608installations serve as home to our Guardians, Airmen, mission2609partners, and their families who live and work there. The2610preponderance of our combat-ready guardians are employed in2611place at their home stations, executing their missions from our2612installations, which serve as power projection platforms.2613    The vital importance of our facilities and infrastructure2614cannot be overstated. It is foundational to the launch and2615operational missions we conduct across the entire spectrum of2616conflict to provide essential capabilities to the Joint Force.2617    Military Construction funding for the Space Force provides2618flexibility, balancing infrastructure requirements across our2619weapon systems, quality of life, and Force support portfolios.2620FSRM priorities include essential upgrades to power, electrical2621and water systems, heating and cooling, fire suppression,2622roofs, and dormitories.2623    MILCON priorities focus on increasing capacity and reducing2624risk to mission, with an emphasis on mission bed down, security2625improvements, and assured access to space.2626    The Spaceport of the Future Initiative, encompassing our2627East and West Coast launch complexes, remains the foundation of2628our assured access to space and is instrumental in enhancing2629our national security space launch capabilities. We continue to2630diversify launch providers, increase launch sites, and invest2631in range facilities and increase payload processing capacity,2632all while closely monitoring the long supply chain.2633    We want to thank Congress for the $109.8 million in MILCON,2634$444.5 million in FSRM, and the $84.9 million in planning and2635design that Space Force received in fiscal year 2025. This2636includes $63 million in planning and design for Spaceport of2637the Future to keep our launch enterprise globally competitive.2638    Thanks again for your continued advocacy for Space Force2639MILCON, as well as the Quality of Life Initiative supporting2640our guardians, airmen, and their families.2641    I look forward to our dialogue.2642    Senator Boozman. Thank you very much. Thank you for your2643testimony. We will get started with our questions.2644    I had the opportunity to go to the Army Museum over the2645weekend. I saw a little blurb on one of the morning shows about2646the new exhibit there. And it is in the Army Museum, but it2647really is about the fighting patriots that really, you know,2648stepped forward at the time of crisis as our country was2649beginning. But I would really recommend that all of you go and2650see it.2651    It is outstanding, again, it is in the Army Museum, but it2652is really not an Army museum in the--Army exhibit in the sense2653that that same spirit is what embodies you all, the people that2654have served since then, who have done such a tremendous job of2655keeping us safe, keeping us free, sacrifices of you in uniform,2656and your families, it certainly is a family affair. And we are2657going to be talking about housing, and all of the things that2658we can do to keep families together, you know, that aspect of2659things.2660    So let us start out with Mr. Marks. Mr. Marks, given the2661ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding project labor agreements,2662how is the Department managing the day-to-day impact on2663projects in the pipeline, especially those approaching award2664that are now stalled due to uncertainty over whether a project2665labor agreement (PLA) is required or not? Has any guidance been2666given to avoid delays or compliance issues in the interim? And2667finally, how will this impact the projects in this year's2668request if it is determined that PLAs are required?2669    Mr. Marks. Senator, first, thank you for that question, and2670I do appreciate----2671    Senator Boozman. Lots of questions.2672    Mr. Marks. Yes, Senator. But I do appreciate the time that2673we did have to begin to discuss this. First and foremost, as I2674shared with you, anything that increases cost and schedule is2675of concern to the Department right now, and so we are working2676very, very hard to look at that. The administration supports2677the use of project labor agreements where those are practicable2678and cost-effective, but I again want to emphasize that I affirm2679and recognize your concerns about the costs and the drivers2680that could potentially cause those projects to increase.2681    Right now, we are not going to be pursuing any blanket2682deviations, but we are working with NAVFAC and USACE to go2683project by project and ensure that we are finding the most2684economical and speedy way to continue to move these projects2685along so that we can assess those on a project-by-project2686basis.2687    We are also working with OMB to determine our next steps2688and how we best address this issue for the long term, given the2689nature of where we stand today. And so the impact of that, as2690we spoke earlier, is all about mission and readiness and how we2691drive that forward, and so much of the directions that we have2692given in working with these esteemed colleagues to my left is2693really to continue to drive those as quickly as we possibly can2694to meet the readiness concerns we have, and to keep the costs2695down as best as we possibly can.2696    Senator Boozman. Very good. Thank you. The Deputy Secretary2697of Defense directed a review of the MILCON portfolio to2698identify opportunities for greater efficiency. As you know,2699initiatives like this often take time while the review isn't2700complete, I would like to hear from the panel: Are there any2701early findings or promising areas that could be acted on2702quickly. Since you are already in the midst of building the2703fiscal year 2027 budget, is there any realistic expectation2704that these efficiencies will be reflected in that submission.2705Or are we likely looking at a longer timeline before we see2706tangible changes?2707    Mr. Marks. Senator, let me lead with that just in a broad2708sense, and then I will defer to my colleagues. As we are2709working on those, some of the early things that we are2710examining continue to be the use of other transactional2711authorities where it makes sense to move quickly. More2712importantly, we are taking a page from our partners at Defense2713Innovation Unit with accelerated design build, ways to bring2714contractors together more quickly, get through this changing2715requirements idea so that we can get it done quickly, and move2716it ahead quickly, the idea of also building projects--bundling2717multiple projects together where that makes sense, so that we2718can, again, move things together quickly.2719    And then finally, the idea behind replacing failed or2720failing facilities, so the repair-by-replace work that we have2721done collectively to more efficiently replace those using O&M2722dollars again. All of those are things that we want to share2723collectively and make sure that we are doing those in a way2724that moves us ahead transparently to meet the mission2725requirements.2726    Senator Boozman. Anyone else.2727    Admiral Jablon. Senator, as you said, the MILCON cost is2728really astronomical and really getting out of hand. So what our2729objective is to think, act, and operate differently in the Navy2730for possible alternative construction methods, module2731construction using tension fabric structures instead of regular2732brick and mortar; that will buy us some efficiencies both in2733cost and time.2734    Also, Honorable Marks mentioning about block of specific2735types of buildings that we do repetitively, such as CDCs and2736barracks, could bring the cost down.2737    Senator Boozman. Very good. Senator Ossoff.2738    Senator Ossoff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2739    General Miller, thank you again for being here. Thank you2740for our conversation yesterday as well. I think you are aware2741last August I had the pleasure of hosting Air Force Chief of2742Staff General Allvin in Georgia. We visited several2743installations including Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta.2744    And man, are the people of Valdosta proud of and supportive2745of Moody. Mayor Matheson, Dr. Lucy Greene of Moody support2746group, I mean, that is a base community that just loves hosting2747the Air Force and provides so much support for the airmen and2748the civilians who work on and around the base. And they are2749thrilled that Moody has been selected to host the F-35 with the2750A-10s leaving the Force, and critical infrastructure upgrades2751are already underway to prepare the installation for that2752transition.2753    You and I discussed this yesterday, and here in this public2754setting I would like your commitment again that you will work2755closely with me, with the subcommittee, with the community in2756Valdosta to ensure that the base is prepared and successful to2757swiftly bring those aircraft to Georgia?2758    General Miller. Ranking Member Ossoff, thank you for the2759call yesterday, for taking the time. Absolutely, Moody has so2760much combat capability for the United States Air Force in one2761place, from the rescue squadron, to the base defense group, to2762the fighters there, A-10s now, F-35s in the future, I do commit2763to you to work, it is a multi-faceted question to--you asked,2764how do we pull to the left?2765    And so pulling to the left is, you know, looking at the2766environmental requirements, the facility requirements that you2767just mentioned, the aircraft laydown, all the combat2768capability. And most familiar with Robins' and Valdosta's, you2769know, support to the Air Force communities, and can't thank2770Georgia enough for that.2771    Senator Ossoff. Thank you. Looking forward to working with2772you on that. And I do want to discuss Robins, and again, you2773and I discussed this yesterday, but I want to raise here in2774this public setting once again with you the condition of the2775Air Logistics Complex. I mean, you know how extraordinary the2776work being done at Robins is in terms of all of the2777maintenance, and not just on the airframes but also the2778avionics and so many of the systems, but that air logistics2779complex really needs more investment.2780    The condition of the facilities' degradation, neglect,2781faulty construction was just--it is a disservice to the airmen2782and civilians who are there making sure that the Air Force has2783aircraft, avionics systems that are in the state they need to2784be in. So I am asking you here for your commitment to work with2785me and the subcommittee and the leadership at Robins to2786accelerate investment in key projects at Robins that may2787include FSRM funding, and to upgrade facilities at the Air2788Logistics Complex.2789    General Miller. Yes, sir. And in the public forum, I do2790want to just applaud, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex2791produces--has turned around vexing problems we have had with2792weapon systems F-15, C-5, C-130 in all aspects, meeting on-time2793delivery and providing more flight line availability for those2794weapon systems in wings throughout the Air Force.2795    And you remarked avionics in particular is a particular2796skill set that the complex there produces for many weapon2797systems that I didn't just mention, and you do have my2798commitment that looking at, not only the workload that is there2799now at Warner Robins, but what is in the future also coming to2800Warner Robins, that the facilities, the infrastructure, the2801overhead cranes, the power, all the ability in the classified2802environment also for the avionics, as mentioned, will be2803addressed and planned for in advance and not late to need.2804    Senator Ossoff. Thank you so much, looking forward to2805working with you, General.2806    And Admiral Jablon, thank you as well for your service and2807your testimony today. Georgia is proud to host Naval Submarine2808Base Kings Bay. We are proud to host the East Coast home for2809the Ohio-class submarines. We are working closely with the Navy2810and with the Department in order to prepare for the transition2811to the Columbia-class boats. It is one of my top priorities to2812make sure that we are investing in Kings Bay to prepare it for2813the equipment and the missions that are coming.2814    Can I have your commitment, Admiral, to work with me and2815the subcommittee and the leadership at Kings Bay, and local2816leaders in Georgia to ensure that the base is fully prepared to2817accept the new Columbia-class submarines?2818    Admiral Jablon. Senator, thank you for that question. As a2819former Submarine Group 10 Commander in Kings Bay, you do have2820my commitment to work with you and the subcommittee. As you2821know, the Columbia-class submarine is our number one priority2822in the Navy, and the infrastructure which supports that is2823vital to its success.2824    Senator Ossoff. Thank you, Admiral.2825    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2826    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Hyde-Smith.2827    Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you,2828Ranking Member. And thank you for being on the panel today and2829your willingness to serve, and I just appreciate everybody here2830in uniform, and that is not in uniform, for your commitments. I2831just want to get that out there.2832    And I really appreciate the fact that in your fiscal year28332025 budget you included the Keesler Air Force Base Tower. That2834is so important for that air traffic control tower there, and2835it is certainly part of our national defense, but we are very2836proud of it and appreciate that.2837    And this is for those who want to answer that, a concern of2838mine, is how is the Department ensuring that smaller but2839strategically essential installations, such as those in2840Mississippi, are not overlooked when it comes to long-term2841planning for necessary infrastructure upgrades and resource2842prioritization?2843    Mr. Marks. Senator, thank you, and good morning. First and2844foremost is, as I have mentioned before in previous testimony,2845the understanding that combatant commanders and the laydown,2846and the need, so as we think about things like Golden Dome,2847when we think about the defense of our installations, counter-2848small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), other things, is the2849importance of our installations, again, not only as Force2850projection platforms, but as warfighting places themselves.2851    And so as we take that, the Department is taking a2852comprehensive look at all of our locations to ensure that we2853are in the right locations at the right time, and making sure2854that we are making the proper investments to meet those there.2855And I know each of the services has their own determination of2856how that is important, but I assure you that we are taking that2857seriously as we look across the entire portfolio of our2858installations and their importance to what the future defense2859of the national--our national security.2860    Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you for that. And I will go back2861to you. The prior administration was very slow in evaluating,2862processing, and reporting to this committee the required2863projects restructurings under the Military Housing2864Privatization Initiative, particularly those caused by2865shortfalls in the long-term reinvestment accounts for those2866projects. What is your team doing to expedite these evaluations2867and reports to this committee and OMB so that our service2868members can benefit from the much-needed improvements these2869restructurings will provide for them?2870    Mr. Marks. Senator, thank you for that, and as a past2871resident of military housing, I assure you that I appreciate2872greatly what you are discussing here today. What we are doing2873right now is to take a hard look at that, working with my2874service partners to ensure that the investments that are being2875made are there. That the care of our families is of utmost, not2876only for their own readiness, but their health, life, and2877safety as well, as you know.2878    And so I wanted to make sure that we take a harder look at2879that again early into the job and diving deeper with each of2880the services to look at that, but I share your concerns and2881will continue to share with this committee what we learn and2882how we make improvements to the portfolio.2883    Senator Hyde-Smith. That is very much appreciated.2884    And I have no further questions.2885    Senator Boozman. Senator Gillibrand.2886    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2887    In January General Wilson, in January of this year, I wrote2888a letter advocating for the inclusion of a new 42nd Infantry2889Division Headquarters on the Army's fiscal year 2026 unfunded2890priority list. Funding this project will secure an overdue2891upgrade to the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters in Troy, New2892York, and help facilitate the planned construction of an $8002893million cannon factory at the nearby Watervliet Armory.2894    I would like you to speak to the significance of both2895projects. What can you tell us, tell this committee about the2896impact of the new headquarters for the 42nd Infantry Division2897and the importance of continuing the expansion of the2898Watervliet Armory?2899    General Wilson. Yes, Senator. On the Watervliet Army Depot,2900Army Materiel Command has prioritized that facility in their2901Facility Investment Plan. The Facility Investment Plan that is2902ran annually by the Army Installation Management Command. And2903so that is accounted for in that space is all of our projects,2904and we run this Facility Investment Plan annually across, with2905senior commander input, and they determine what prioritization2906each of their projects in their respective areas will have, and2907we continue to support those commanders on the ground2908priorities from the Department of Army staff level.2909    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. General Miller, I would like2910to discuss infrastructure projects in Niagara Falls Air Reserve2911Station. I am requesting funding to construct a combined2912operations airfield facility to further support the work done2913by the 914th Operations Group and Subordinate Units. It is my2914understanding that although this project is not in the2915President's Budget Request, it is a strong candidate for the2916unfunded priority list.2917    Can you speak to the benefits of a modernization and2918properly sized combined operation airfield facility,2919particularly at a location like Niagara Falls, which is2920certified nuclear-ready, and supports the worldwide combat air2921refueling mission?2922    General Miller. Thank you, Senator, for the question. The2923combined ops--having a combined mission set in one facility has2924very qualitative improvement for the mission, when people work2925together and they can team together, especially and a2926responsibility like you just described that Niagara Falls has,2927and other responsibilities that could go there, having a team2928that works at a facility that they can be proud of, that they2929are--that will be able to last for mission upon mission that2930comes down, not just playing a short game for the mission but a2931long game, has a huge impact.2932    And we are a retention force, as you know, so when we bring2933an airman into whichever component within the Air Force, Guard,2934Reserve, or Active Duty, we want to keep them, we are investing2935in them. It is a high-tech service, and so they are making a2936decision on whether they are staying based on the facilities2937they get to work in, you know, the care that we put into where2938they work, where they live absolutely important.2939    Senator Gillibrand. Yes. Well, thank you, General Miller.2940    General Wilson, it is my understanding that the new runway2941lighting infrastructure is needed to improve aircraft safety2942during takeoff and landing at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield,2943located at Fort Drum. Considering the recent frequency of2944airfield incidents, including the tragic collision at GCA in2945January, can you speak to the importance of this project as2946well as other infrastructure projects that may be necessary to2947improve air traffic safety?2948    General Wilson. Yes, Senator. In fact, the Army supports2949this, and supports the move from fiscal year 2027 to '26 for2950this project time line move out.2951    Senator Gillibrand. Yes.2952    General Wilson. And that was just signed on yesterday.2953    Senator Gillibrand. Great. Thank you.2954    And last question, General Miller, with the continuing2955proliferation of small, unmanned aerial systems, including the2956strategic success of Ukraine's Operation Spiders Web and2957Israel's recent drone operations staged from within Iranian2958territory, I am wondering what additional passive2959infrastructure defenses the Air Force may be considering to2960protect aircraft on the flight line, including construction of2961hardened aircraft shelters.2962    General Miller. Thank you, Senator. We have been thinking2963about this long before the dramatic events that everyone saw on2964television. I think it is a multifaceted problem with a2965multifaceted approach, facilities absolutely has a play there,2966but also electromagnetic spectrum, direct energy, the2967authorities, especially within the United States, coordination2968with the FAA, coordination to prosecute, whether it is FBI that2969is going left of launch of Counter-SUAS.2970    So facilities, and infrastructure, and hardening does have2971a play, but it is a multifaceted play. We don't want to spend2972years and years only going after the facility piece, only to2973learn that something--that there is a different threat that we2974are seeing in the rearview mirror.2975    Senator Gillibrand. And when can we expect a plan or2976proposal with regard to UAS?2977    General Miller. I actually work very closely with our2978director of operations who is the lead for the Air Force2979because all the things I just mentioned, which I know we are2980short on time, but I will get back with the A-3 as the lead for2981the Air Force on it, and we will get back with your office, or2982if you have time, with you.2983    Senator Gillibrand. Anytime. Thank you.2984    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Ranking, Member.2985    Senator Boozman. Admiral Jablon, and General Miller, the2986Navy and Air Force sustained major infrastructure damage on2987Guam due to Typhoon Mawar. While Congress provided initial down2988payment to the Disaster Relief Supplemental, significant2989unfunded recovery remains. There appears to be little, if any,2990disaster recovery fund in this year's budget request. What2991actions are the Navy and Air Force currently taking to address2992the damaged infrastructure on Guam, and what is your plan to2993request and secure the additional funding required for full2994recovery?2995    Admiral Jablon. Senator, thank you for that question. As I2996mentioned in my opening statement, really thankful for2997Congress' supplemental of $2.2 billion, focusing those--that2998investment specifically on FSRM investments to get after the2999Typhoon Mawar effects that destroyed many facilities.3000    The backlog of infrastructure to correct from Mawar is3001about $40 billion right now, so we are looking at those most3002critical infrastructure assets, hardening, our electrical3003utilities, going after electrical utilities within the Navy3004base at Polaris Point, to focus FSRM and MILCON dollars on3005that. But we are working as diligently as we can in a3006prioritized way to get after Mawar recovery efforts.3007    General Miller. And Chair Boozman, if I could add? From the3008punishing environment, as you know, of Guam, of humidity, wind,3009it has a degrading effect on equipment. We have had a lot of3010pre-positioned equipment that we had prepositioned at Anderson,3011and this is prior to the typhoon where we didn't have adequate3012facilities to shelter from the weather. That was only3013accelerated through--when the typhoon hit, so we had degrading,3014spalling concrete, and uncovered equipment that just3015accelerated after the typhoon.3016    We have taken the funds that have already been provided by3017Congress and doing warehousing to get equipment out of the3018weather. We have $109 million in two projects which we will3019award in August and September to address two dorms that we need3020to renovate, two out of four, that we are looking at.3021    But to get here, to your question very directly, we would3022be decades trying to absorb the requirements that we have3023within the base budget for the service. If it is--$8 billion,3024is the current estimate for the Air Force, which is more than3025twice as much as we have in MILCON for any 1 year, for current-3026mission MILCON, and new-mission MILCON.3027    Senator Boozman. Senator Murkowski.3028    Senator Murkowski. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3029    And good morning, gentlemen. Thank you for your service. I3030want to begin my questions to you, General Miller. You are3031nodding like you are expecting this.3032    [Laughter.]3033    General Miller. You have a good team, ma'am.3034    Senator Murkowski. Yes, I have an excellent team. Thank you3035very much.3036    I want to talk about the Joint Integrated Test and Training3037Center (JITTC), this is the Joint Integrated Testing and3038Training Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), one3039of the Air Force's top priorities for MILCON. In the fiscal3040year 2026-1 files that the committee received last week, the3041Air Force increases that request to $152 million in fiscal year30422026 authorizations.3043    Can you share with the committee how we jumped--this was3044always a significant project. It was big, even in Air Force3045terms, but increasing from $97 million to $152 million? And3046also whether or not we should expect any delays or other3047consequences in the project based on the late addition to the3048scope of the project?3049    General Miller. Yes, Senator, thank you. That the3050importance of the JITTC, I don't have the words to describe how3051important it is to the Joint Force, to the Air Domain. So you3052know the mission analysis behind that, in the analysis as we3053were going forward, the power requirements because of that3054unique capability that the JITTC brings drove an additional3055substation that was required. So $105 million additional3056dollars, that that was the majority of the escalation is, the3057power requirements are so dramatically larger for what the3058mission of the JITTC will be. That was the escalation.3059    Senator Murkowski. So can you, General, can you share3060then--because you know the situation in Cook Inlet with the3061natural gas supplies dwindling, how is the Air Force working to3062secure long-term energy needs for, not only for JBER, but3063really for the bases more broadly in Alaska?3064    General Miller. So Senator, I am sure you are aware of the3065recent announcement for the microreactor at the----3066    Senator Murkowski. Yes, finally. We are pleased to see3067that.3068    General Miller. Yes ma'am. And that is really, I think,3069that is an indicator for the future for us, not only for a3070location that is so reliant on a source of reliable that is3071repetitive energy to have it there, but from a resiliency3072standpoint, from being able to island off of the grid. It was3073mentioned earlier in testimony that absolutely attacking our3074SCADA systems at the beginning of an attack from a cyber3075perspective is an easy take for an adversary.3076    So if we have mission systems that are relying on a3077commercial electrical grid and thinking about the impact that3078would have. The energy independence that it would give us for--3079to be able to island from an energy perspective on3080installations with critical missions throughout the United3081States and deploy, and I think the encouraging piece there is,3082it is a 5-megawatt reactor, but to build--if there are3083additional requirements to build additional work. We are3084looking forward to that and seeing, you know----3085    Senator Murkowski. What is it going to do to your time3086line? Are you worried about that, that it pushes out the time3087line for the JITTC to be fully stood up?3088    General Miller. Time is not on our side on any piece of3089this, so I will have to get back with your team on the3090specifics of the time line. I was aware of the dollar3091escalation, from a time perspective. I think once they came to3092the conclusion that there is just no way to meet it with the3093current power requirements, they took that into the planning. I3094will have to take that for the record to get you the details on3095that.3096    Senator Murkowski. Well, I would appreciate that.3097    Let me turn now to you, Mr. Marks. Also sticking with the3098energy vulnerability, we know the situation in Alaska, again, a3099great reliance on natural gas out of the Cook Inlet, and up in3100the interior there, specifically at Fort Wainwright, the3101concern about Wainwright being vulnerable to unexpected outages3102and operational issues.3103    I am wondering whether the budget request reflects3104appropriate funding levels to address energy reliability3105challenges like we have at Wainwright. And then I am going to3106throw an extra question in here related to dual-use3107infrastructure. I have been pushing much more aggressively on3108what we can be doing within, particularly, the Alaska3109environment, to move towards opportunities to construct3110projects that are able to serve multiple departments and3111agencies. I am concerned about energy, and I want to focus on3112dual-use infrastructure.3113    Mr. Marks. Senator, thank you for that. First, being3114sensitive to time, I know the first one: Installation energy3115resiliency plans are certainly part of what has been put into3116the program. And so I will be happy to come back to you and we3117can discuss that one further.3118    Senator Murkowski. Great.3119    Mr. Marks. Alternatively, on dual-use, I agree with you,3120partnerships and industry best practices are things that we3121need to continue to pursue. And so also that is something that3122we can share together, and I will be happy to come back and3123meet with you on that.3124    Senator Murkowski. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I have many3125questions that I will submit for the record. But I appreciate3126the individuals being here today.3127    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Baldwin.3128    Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Ranking3129Member. And thank you to all of our witnesses. Thank you for3130your service.3131    I want to start with you, General Wilson. I understand the3132Army Reserve is facing a multibillion-dollar backlog in3133deferred facilities, restoration, and maintenance, and I am3134concerned about the impact this backlog has on readiness, for3135not just for the Reserve but also the Active component, given3136the critical sustainment and logistics capabilities that reside3137within the Army Reserve.3138    Fort McCoy in Wisconsin is a key installation for Reserve3139component training and large-scale mobilization. For the Army3140G-9 perspective, how are Military Construction investments at3141Fort McCoy, as well as those for individual Reserve units in3142Wisconsin, being prioritized to support their long-term3143strategic value?3144    General Wilson. Thank you, Senator. All of those3145requirements are prioritized by that component, the Army3146Reserve, COMPO 3, and so what comes in as part of the3147Facilities Investment Plan for the COMPO 3, it is their3148assessment based on the status of their facilities and3149infrastructure. And like Fort McCoy, which is a serious3150mobilization station and site for the Army. I can tell you that3151they are giving it the right level of attention and ensuring3152that is accounted for in the Facilities Investment Plan moving3153forward.3154    Senator Baldwin. Okay, thank you, General Wilson.3155    Secretary Marks, I worked with this committee to secure3156funding for a new community noise mitigation program3157implemented by the Office of Local Community Defense3158Cooperation. I was disappointed by the long delay in making the3159first round of funding available to local governments, and I3160want to make sure that you are aware that communities such as3161Dane County in Wisconsin have been waiting for this funding for3162years.3163    The 115th Fighter Wing began receiving F-35 aircraft in31642023, and the neighboring residents are still waiting for3165Federal assistance in addressing noise impacts.3166    So Assistant Secretary Marks, will you work to ensure this3167funding competition moves forward without delay?3168    Mr. Marks. Senator, absolutely. And first let me thank you3169for your leadership on that. As someone who just left an F-353170training base with more than 50 F-35s, I understand the source3171of your concern at Truax. So thank you for that.3172    Senator Baldwin. Okay.3173    Mr. Marks. Yes, ma'am, and in fact, what I would like to do3174is come back to you and sit down with you and explain the3175competitive process in ways that I think we can bolster the3176case to make sure that that does move forward without delay. So3177I would be happy to come back and do that with my team, if that3178would be acceptable. The second round of competition is ongoing3179right now.3180    Senator Baldwin. Yes, it is.3181    Mr. Marks. And so we certainly want to make sure that we3182put all of the effort behind that, and I acknowledge that, and3183we would be happy to schedule that with your team.3184    Senator Baldwin. Yeah. It closes out shortly in early July.3185    Mr. Marks. That is right.3186    Senator Baldwin. And I know that my community is working3187very hard on their submission for that, and I would welcome a3188follow-up with your team to talk in more granular detail.3189    Mr. Marks. Yes, ma'am. Happy to do that, ma'am.3190    Senator Baldwin. Mr. Secretary, this committee has also3191long been concerned about the backlog of cleanup efforts at3192current and former defense installations. The most recent3193publicly available information from the Defense Environmental3194Restoration Program on the status of planned remediation is3195from fiscal year 2023. That information lists an intent to3196devote over $1 million to cleanup activities, in Wisconsin in3197fiscal year 2025.3198    I know I speak for many on this committee when I express my3199dissatisfaction with the full-year Continuing Resolution that3200passed in March. But my question for you, Mr. Secretary, is:3201What is the status of this fiscal year 2025 funding that was3202planned for locations in Wisconsin, including Badger Army3203Ammunition Plant? And the second question is: Is the Department3204still on track to devote this funding towards urgently needed3205cleanup efforts there?3206    Mr. Marks. Senator, thank you. We take our environmental3207responsibilities very seriously, and I do owe you a deeper dive3208as I am learning the position right now with my team on each of3209the cases, and unless General Wilson may have more to this. But3210I can assure you that we are going to continue to push forward3211for those things. What I need to make sure that I go back and3212look at is how that all lays down flat within Wisconsin, which3213I don't have with me today. Be happy to take that for the3214record and come back to you on that.3215    Senator Baldwin. I would appreciate that. Maybe we can do3216both topics at once as a follow-up meeting.3217    Mr. Marks. Absolutely, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.3218    Senator Baldwin. For many years, the Badger Army Ammunition3219Plant operated, and while it was declared surplus to the Army's3220and the Department of Defense's needs back in the late 1990s,3221there is still some remediation that needs to happen there.3222    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3223    General Wilson. And Senator, from the Army standpoint, we3224account, there is 27 sites that we are still working toward,3225and we are committed to the EPA standards for remediation and3226the prioritization, of course, the most contaminated location3227is how we are making sure that we step through the list.3228    Senator Boozman. Thank you. And the Senior Senator from3229North Dakota, Senator Hoeven.3230    Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, thanks to you and3231Ranking Member for holding this hearing today.3232    I would like to thank all of you for your incredible3233service, and as well as all your staff that is here with you.3234Thanks for your incredible service. We appreciate it, and for3235being here today.3236    General Miller, some gratitude to you for the resurfacing3237at the Grand Forks Air Force Base runway, or the upgrades I3238should say, to that runway, very important. Right now, we are3239actually hosting, as you know, the B-1 from Ellsworth as they3240are making modifications there for the new B-21, and I think we3241are the logical place to bring it for the Dyess B ones when3242they have to do the same. So thank you for that, being on top3243of that. Appreciate it. And by the way, that is going very3244well. In addition to our ISR mission, hypersonics, satellite,3245and all the other things we do there at Grand Forks.3246    I want to ask you about Sentinel though. Very important3247that we keep Sentinel on track, as you know, because of the3248Nunn-McCurdy Review, we have had a pause, but now from what I3249have seen, Air Force is doing some very good things about3250getting to concurrency and actually installing Sentinel across3251the three ICBM bases and working to get back on track.3252    And we work very hard to keep that program funded, and we3253are doing that again through reconciliation. Talk to me about3254how you are going to make sure that that gets done concurrently3255across the three bases, and on schedule?3256    General Miller. Thank you, Senator, for the question, and3257the concurrently versus serial, you know, and getting there is3258important work right now even during the restructuring on3259Sentinel for utility corridor work, which is vitally important3260regardless of the specific restructuring action. The utility3261corridor work that is being done now and the planning and3262design for launch facilities and launch control facilities all3263has to be done in advance.3264    I think, not knowing what the future brings, there are3265budgetary requirements in the future, doing the things we can3266do right now in the known environment is important. And so that3267is where we have--parts of the Sentinel program paused under3268the restructuring, but not the part you just described. So the3269utility corridor and the planning and design for that launch3270facility, launch control facility all can be done and is being3271done now.3272    Senator Hoeven. And you are committed to proceeding as I3273have just described, and you and I have just discussed?3274    General Miller. Yes, sir.3275    Senator Hoeven. Thank you. And then the weapons generation3276facility at Minot Air Force Base, right now, the only place3277that we have, air launch cruise missiles, particularly, nuclear3278air launch cruise missiles, is Minot, and Barksdale will be the3279only places going forward. We need upgrades to that Weapon Gen3280Facility. Talk to me about how you are going to get that done3281in a timely way?3282    General Miller. There are $44 million in projects that3283Global Strikes identified specifically to get that FSRM3284actually to keep the weapons' storage area not only viable but3285able to accept Long Range Standoff (LRSO).3286    Senator Hoeven. LRSO, right.3287    General Miller. LRSO, specifically. There different3288requirements over time that are just a function of weather,3289keeping airmen out of the weather from a security standpoint.3290But then there is configuration of a specific--and I know we3291are in an unclassified environment, but a configuration and3292security that have to be addressed, which Global Strike has3293looked at all those requirements. And I know it has competed3294extremely well in the prioritization for the FSRM dollars.3295    So they definitely have a strong voice--you know, they3296definitely have a strong voice within our prioritization within3297the Air Force.3298    Senator Hoeven. And your intention is to have those3299upgrades in place by the time LRSO is ready to go, because3300right now we are not on track for that, but your intention is3301to be on track for that?3302    General Miller. My intention for the configuration piece,3303absolutely. I need to go back, and loop back on the roads, the3304roofs, the non-configuration piece. I need to take that one for3305the record, Senator, and come back to you or your staff with--3306to get that part of the answer.3307    Senator Hoeven. Thanks, General.3308    General Wilson, for our number one project for our guard at3309the 817th Engineering Company in Jamestown, they are actually3310using the Civic Center. This is a large Sapper Group3311engineering company that has been deployed multiple times3312around the globe, always does an incredible job, they need a3313new facility. There is $2.5 million in the 2025 Continuing3314Resolution, but it was not in the 2026 Budget Request, this is3315a priority. What can you do?3316    General Wilson. Senator, we will make sure that we circle3317back with the guard from their facilities investment plan3318consolidated list that was approved by them. Of course, that3319prioritization, we are committed to supporting based on the3320resourcing that becomes available.3321    Senator Hoeven. Okay, and this next one, I know is really3322important to the Chairman of the committee here because he3323likes to come up to North Dakota and go to Devil's Lake, where3324we have an incredible Army National Guard base, Camp Grafton.3325And not only does it provide a lot of training, particularly3326for NCOs, but also it houses the BIA Law Enforcement Training3327Center, which is the only one we have other than down in3328Artesia, New Mexico.3329    There is a facility there for lodging, and I know you would3330want our chairman to be comfortable when he comes up there. And3331that has been 100 percent design completed, $8 million spent on3332the project cost, but he might be coming pretty soon, so we3333need to make sure we keep that moving. And out of deference to3334our Chairman, can you help me keep that moving?3335    General Wilson. Yes, Senator, we will keep track on the3336progress. And the Corps of Engineers does a pretty good job in3337the oversight.3338    Senator Hoeven. They do. Again, really appreciate all of3339you and the work you do. Thank you so much.3340    And again, thanks, Mr. Chairman.3341    Senator Boozman. We look forward to staying there.3342    Senator Ossoff.3343    Senator Ossoff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3344    Admiral Jablon, as you know, Albany, Georgia, hosts Marine3345Corps Logistics Base Albany, which is essential to Marine Corps3346readiness and sustaining expeditionary combat power for the3347Marines. I would like to hear from both Admiral Jablon and3348General Sklenka on this, please.3349    In fiscal year 2023, I worked alongside the Marine Corps3350Logistics Base leadership in the Albany community to help3351secure planning and design funding for a new consolidated3352communications facility at the logistics base to more3353efficiently support the vital Marine Corps logistics mission3354there.3355    My question for you is: Will you work with me to ensure3356that we move swiftly to construction for this project? Again,3357we have already funded planning and design; it is the top3358priority for the facility and the community?3359    General Sklenka. Senator, you absolutely have our3360commitment. Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany is our Marine3361Corps' sole depot. It is, when you look at among first, in3362terms logistics support entities within the Marine Corps,3363Albany is it. And any way that we can ensure that we deliver3364capability to our warfighters quickly and effectively we will3365take that.3366    Senator Ossoff. Anything to add, Admiral?3367    Admiral Jablon. No, Senator. That depot is under Lieutenant3368General Sklenka's authorities.3369    Senator Ossoff. Thank you. General Wilson, as you are aware3370of Chattahoochee Valley in Georgia, proud home of Fort Benning,3371the Maneuver Center of Excellence, as well as elements of the337275th Ranger Regiment, and I am particularly concerned, as I3373mentioned in my opening statement, about quality of life for3374service members at Benning and across the country.3375    In fiscal year 2024 I helped to secure the funding to plan3376a new elementary school at Fort Benning to replace Dexter3377Elementary School on post. Dexter was built in 1968, it is an3378aged facility, but the children of our service members deserve3379the very best. Again, we have already funded planning and3380design. Do I have your commitment, General Wilson, to work with3381me and the subcommittee to try to expedite the construction of3382that new school for Military families at Fort Benning?3383    General Wilson. Yes, Senator, you do have my commitment.3384    Senator Ossoff. Thank you. General, I also want to raise3385with you the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Lab in Forest3386Park, Georgia, on the Fort Gillem Enclave, which is DOD's only3387full-service criminal forensic lab. And I have had the pleasure3388of visiting the facility. It is remarkable what they do, both3389for traditional criminal forensics, but also for material that3390is secured and exploited from battlefields around the world.3391    Last year, working alongside Senator Reverend Warnock, we3392successfully helped extend the authorization needed to complete3393the construction of a new forensic lab at the Gillem Enclave.3394Can I have your commitment, General Wilson, to work with me and3395the subcommittee to ensure that this project has the resources3396necessary to see it through?3397    General Wilson. Yes, Senator.3398    Senator Ossoff. Thank you. Mr. Marks, I want to touch on3399the plans for reconciliation and try to get some clarity from3400the Department. There is $900 million of Military Construction3401funding requested in the reconciliation measure. What specific3402projects is that funding for?3403    Mr. Marks. Senator, I appreciate that question. As we view3404this as one bill, we are looking at defensive systems,3405munitions, munitions procurement, readiness, and quality of3406life programs are all included in that package.3407    Senator Ossoff. That is many things and important things.3408My question is: What specific projects will be funded by the3409$900 million allocation requested for the reconciliation3410measure as opposed to the remainder of MILCON funding, which3411the administration wants to move through the normal3412appropriations' process? What is that $900 million for3413specifically at the project level?3414    Mr. Marks. Senator, let me come back to you at the project3415level so that I can show you those things again. New to that,3416and I don't have that granularity right now.3417    Senator Ossoff. Okay. Will you please commit to providing3418the subcommittee with a project-by-project list of which3419projects are intended to be funded by the $900 million3420reconciliation portion, versus the remainder of the traditional3421appropriations?3422    Mr. Marks. Senator, I will work with you to try to get the3423best answer to that question, yes.3424    Senator Ossoff. Well, I appreciate that commitment. And can3425you think of any reason why, where, as this typically proceeds3426fiscal year, after fiscal year, the subcommittee is provided3427with a list of projects that constitute the totality of the3428MILCON budget request, why there would be this nearly billion3429dollars floating out here that wouldn't have a project-by-3430project justification?3431    Mr. Marks. Senator, I believe it would be there. Again,3432what we are looking at is the submission of the 2026 Budget as3433a standalone, and then the FY DP will come in 2027, so I will3434have greater granularity looking into the future, but let me3435get back to you on that, Senator. And I will do my utmost to3436answer that for you.3437    Senator Ossoff. Okay. So just to be clear, Mr. Marks, you3438are going to follow up with the subcommittee, and you are going3439to get us a list of those projects that are intended to be3440funded via the $900 million reconciliation portion of the3441overall MILCON budget?3442    Mr. Marks. We will attempt to do that, yes, Senator.3443    Senator Ossoff. You will attempt to do that. Okay. I3444appreciate that.3445    And Mr. Chairman, that concludes my questions.3446    Senator Boozman. Thank you. And I want to thank our3447witnesses for being with us today, and thank you for your3448service. And I know we look forward to working closely together3449to improve the quality of life for our men and women that are3450in uniform, and their families, and then also to give them the3451resources to keep them safe as they keep us safe.3452    For our retiree General Miller, again congratulations, and3453thank you for your dedicated service for so many years, we do3454appreciate that. And as I said earlier, I know this is a family3455affair. We greatly appreciate them.34563457                     ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE QUESTIONS34583459    For Members of the Subcommittee, any questions for the3460record should be turned into subcommittee staff no later than3461the close of business on Tuesday, June the 24th.3462                 Questions Submitted to Hon. Dale Marks3463               Questions Submitted by Senator Deb Fischer3464    Question. Would the Department of Defense support appropriating3465Facility Sustainment Restoration and Modernization (FSRM) funding for34663-years?3467    What efficiencies, if any, would this create? Please provide3468examples, both qualitative and quantitative. If available, please3469provide estimates for potential savings, to include cost avoidance.3470    What would the impact be on your overall FSRM backlog?3471    What would the impact be on future military construction needs if3472your overall FSRM backlog is reduced?3473    Answer. The Department recognizes the potential advantages of3474multi-year availability of Operations and Maintenance funds for3475Facility Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization (FSRM). These3476include cost savings through single contractor awards facilitating3477long-term planning (e.g., supplies, workforce) and reduced3478administrative overhead. It also enables comprehensive planning for3479large, complex projects unsuitable for traditional 1-year contracting3480cycles, and allows for tackling larger chunks of the deferred3481maintenance backlog, rather than phased or piecemeal approaches.3482Currently, annual O&M appropriations limit the Government's negotiating3483power due to tight deadlines for solicitations and awards before funds3484expire after 1 year. This compressed timeframe and the annual end of3485year deadline encourage higher contractor bids to mitigate potential3486risks.3487    Therefore, as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 President's Budget, the3488Department has requested appropriations language that would allow for3489five percent of the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) appropriations to3490be available for a second year, which would provide additional3491flexibility and mitigate many of the inefficiencies of single-year3492FSRM. A second year of O&M funding availability provides more time to3493plan, design, contract for, and execute comprehensive facility3494renovations to extend the lifespan of facilities and delay or avoid3495military construction replacement projects. The Department is exploring3496options to yield the best facilities maintenance program possible while3497meeting appropriate Congressional oversight requirements. We look3498forward to continued partnership with Congress to achieve that goal.34993500                                 ______35013502               Questions Submitted by Senator Jon Ossoff3503    Question. We can all agree that this year's budget submission3504timeline has been unfortunate, to say the least. Adding to this year's3505uncertainty, the Department also chose to leave nearly $900 million of3506requirements in mostly planning and design funds, out of the budget3507request, and instead place it in reconciliation.3508    Assistant Secretary, what specific projects is that planning and3509design funding for? Can you provide a list of what projects these3510designs will be for?3511    Answer. The Department is providing a spend plan consistent with3512the letter sent to the Department on July 22, 2025 from HASC Chairman3513Rogers and SASC Chairman Wicker. The Department will provide further3514information consistent with Public Law 119-21 as requested in the3515letter.3516    Question. Who will make the decision about how that money gets3517spent? Will it be you, moving down your unfunded priority list or up to3518OMB?3519    Answer. The Department intends to spend the funding consistent with3520the spend plan that will be transmitted pursuant to Section 20013 of3521Public Law 119-21.3522    Question. Recognizing that these funds are considered a requirement3523for fiscal year 2026, why would they be requested in reconciliation as3524opposed to regular appropriations? Knowing full well reconciliation is3525never a guaranteed legislative tool, why would you risk nearly a3526billion dollars in funding required for our National security?3527    Answer. The Department is focused on meeting critical warfighting3528requirements as efficiently and expediently as possible. The Department3529appreciates the support to the critical missions funded by Section353020013 of Public Law 119-21. I commit to ensuring that every taxpayer3531dollar spent supports increasing our lethality.3532    Question. Would you characterize the Department's request as a3533slush fund of $900 million for MilCon?3534    Answer. The funding provided in Public Law 119-21 will be spent on3535critical priorities in missile defense, air superiority, and nuclear3536forces and improving infrastructure and capabilities of the U.S. Indo-3537Pacific Command. I am laser-focused on working with other senior3538leaders in the Department to ensure that this funding is spent with3539maximum efficiency and at the best value to the U.S. taxpayer.35403541                                 ______35423543                Questions Submitted to LTG David Wilson3544               Questions Submitted by Senator Deb Fischer3545    Question. Would the Army support appropriating Facility Sustainment3546Restoration and Modernization (FSRM) funding for 3-years?3547    Answer. The Army supports authorizing FSRM for 2 years, with3548appropriate controls to include the goal of awarding in year one. Army3549sees limited advantage for a 3-year authorization. Authorization for 23550years will reduce risk and uncertainty resulting from the constraints3551of single year funds3552    Question. What efficiencies, if any, would this create? Please3553provide examples, both qualitative and quantitative. If available,3554please provide estimates for potential savings, to include cost3555avoidance.3556    Answer. Anticipated efficiencies from this initiative include:35573558  --Allows commands to reallocate funds when bids are substantially3559        different than budgeted amounts. This helps in situations where3560        bids are either high or low. Per bullet four below, expect to3561        see fewer situations where this occurs due to additional time3562        for pre-award work.3563  --Provides addition time for contract procurement when Congressional3564        notification is required.3565  --Offsets recurring impact of Continuing Resolutions where funds are3566        received mid-year complicating execution of FSRM funding and3567        investment plans. The Army is continually pushed into executing3568        FSRM work at Year End and loses most of our negotiating3569        leverage. While the Army does not have quantifiable data to3570        support, anecdotally, contractors are collectively aware of the3571        fiscal year deadlines and inflate their bids. This proposal3572        allows more efficient execution of both Sustainment and3573        Restoration & Modernization work.3574  --Alleviates the difficulty in conducting a thorough review of site3575        conditions and/or inaccurate request for proposal (RFPs) and3576        scopes of work (SOWs), the lack of pre-award work often results3577        in additional funds for contract modifications.3578  --Provides time to better define R&M projects requiring longer3579        procurement time, e.g., larger, more complex projects.3580  --Provides flexibility to execute emerging requirements, e.g., damage3581        caused by extreme storm or other natural events which occur3582        late in the fiscal year.3583    Question. What would the impact be on your overall FSRM backlog?3584    Answer. Since the Army anticipates better defined projects,3585accounting efficiencies, and normalized workload will result in lower3586bids and costs for projects, additional projects will be funded and3587backlog reduced when compared to status quo.3588    Question. What would the impact be on future military construction3589needs if your overall FSRM backlog is reduced?3590    Answer. The Army anticipates military construction needs would3591decrease if the FSRM backlog is reduced. A lower backlog (i.e., high3592facility condition index) would redirect resources from break/fix3593activities to more sustaining activities (e.g., preventative3594maintenance) that helps ensure facilities can function through their3595design lives. Longer design lives will reduce the need for full3596facility recapitalization which is typically a MILCON requirement. In3597many cases the R&M program can relieve pressure on military3598construction in those cases where a major renovation can satisfy3599mission in lieu of a full facility replacement.36003601                                 ______36023603               Questions Submitted by Senator Jon Ossoff3604    Question. It has been 5 years since legislation was enacted to3605provide more protections for military families living in privatized3606housing.3607    In 2022, I led an 8-month bipartisan investigation into substandard3608privatized military housing conditions, which uncovered mistreatment3609and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on3610several installations, including on post at Ft. Gordon in Augusta--3611where families were getting sick because of mold in their homes.3612    While there's been some progress to upgrade privatized housing3613conditions on Ft. Gordon and elsewhere, we continue to hear troubling3614news from servicemembers and their families about the poor conditions3615of privatized housing and the inadequate support from housing providers3616on installations in Georgia and across the country, including on3617Georgia's Ft. Stewart and at Hunter Army Airfield.3618    Yet confusingly, the Army's fiscal year 2026 budget request seeks3619to reduce funding for privatized housing maintenance and oversight.3620    With perpetual issues plaguing military privatized housing, why is3621the Army attempting to reduce funding essential to protecting military3622families and what impact will the cuts have?3623    Answer. The funding reductions are in response to a variety of3624factors. First, the largest reduction of $21.7M in requirements3625reflects the conclusion of the FY2020 NDAA mandated third-party3626inspections for all domestic privatized housing, to include Puerto3627Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska, which will be concluded by end of FY2025. The3628reduced FY2026 inspection requirement accounts for the remaining3629government-owned/controlled inventory, which is primarily overseas (10K3630homes) and will be completed by the end of FY2026.3631    Additional reductions are largely attributed to the reduced3632civilian personnel supporting housing operations, pricing adjustments,3633and broader budgetary cuts. We are assessing the impacts of the3634Deferred Resignation Program and potential outcomes of the cuts to3635personnel and funding. The Army is placing strong emphasis on3636responsible restructuring, which will include assessment of tasks and3637roles that can be streamlined and effectively executed with a smaller3638workforce. Our goal is to minimize the impacts of these cuts on3639servicemembers and their families.3640    Question. If we were to provide more funding, could you use it and3641how?3642    Answer. Additional funding would be immediately used to strengthen3643oversight, improve responsiveness to tenant/resident concerns, and3644enhance the long-term quality and safety of privatized housing. Despite3645the projected budgetary and personnel cuts in FY26, the Army must3646maintain sufficient resources to support, train, and sustain a3647permanent, dedicated workforce. This includes housing inspectors,3648tenant/resident advocates, and personnel overseeing privatized housing3649operations. As the Army modernizes processes and integrates AI tools3650where appropriate, we must reassess and realign workforce requirements3651while prioritizing staffing for mission-critical housing functions.3652    Further, additional funding could expand our operational capacity3653to meet current and future NDAA requirements more effectively, through3654cross-functional training courses, expanded contract support services,3655and continued modernization of oversight tools and systems to improve3656data collection, performance tracking, and transparency.3657    It is critical that the Army maintains a strong commitment to3658protecting military families through adequate investment in housing3659oversight, tenant/resident support, and long-term infrastructure3660improvements. Quality of life for those who serve not only affects3661morale but also recruitment, retention, and overall readiness.36623663                          SUBCOMMITTEE RECESS36643665    Senator Boozman. The hearing is adjourned.3666    [Whereupon, at 11:51 a.m., Tuesday, June 17, the3667subcommittee and recessed, to reconvene subject to the call of3668the Chair.]36693670   MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES3671                  APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 202636723673                              ----------36743675                         TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 202536763677                                       U.S. Senate,3678           Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,3679                                                    Washington, DC.3680    The subcommittee met at 10:31 a.m. in Room 124, Dirksen3681Senate Office Building, Hon. John Boozman (chairman) presiding.3682    Present: Senators Boozman, Collins, Murkowski, Hoeven,3683Hagerty, Fischer, Rounds, Hyde-Smith, Ossoff, Murray, Baldwin,3684Peters, and Gillibrand.36853686                     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS36873688STATEMENT OF HON. DOUGLAS A. COLLINS, SECRETARY,3689            DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS36903691               OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOHN BOOZMAN36923693    Senator Boozman. Good morning. The subcommittee will come3694to order. Mr. Secretary, it's good to see you, and thank you so3695much for coming today to discuss fiscal year 2026 and 20273696budget requests.3697    The budget request total $441.2 billion in fiscal year 20263698for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including medical care3699collections, the Transformation Fund, and the Toxic Exposures3700Fund, representing a 10 percent increase over fiscal year 20253701enacted levels. This includes $134.6 billion in discretionary3702funds, a $5.4 billion increase from fiscal year 2025.3703    The request includes $301.2 billion in mandatory funds, a3704$34.2 billion or 12.8 percent increase over fiscal year 2025.3705Within this amount is 52.7 billion in the TEF, $22.2 billion3706increase over fiscal year 2025. The budget also requests a3707total of 122.6 billion in medical care advanced appropriations3708for fiscal year 2027. Finally, the request includes $262.13709billion in advance for veterans' benefits.3710    Mr. Secretary, I need to say at the outset, that because of3711the significant delays in submitting the budget, the3712committee's yet to receive detailed budget justification3713materials from the Department. These materials are essential to3714the committee's work, and I hope we'll see them very soon.3715    The PACT Act has certainly been a dramatic change for3716veterans, and I also think VA has a good story to tell about3717its implementation. The new veterans enrolling, and the number3718of PACT Act related claims received and processed, it also3719created the Toxic Exposure Fund. This year's budget request3720represents more than a $22 billion increase.3721    The budget request includes a large increase for the3722electronic medical records program, a total of $3.5 billion.3723DOD stumbled out of the gate in its efforts to deploy the3724system. But after a pause, it successfully completed3725deployments throughout the country and abroad. VA announced3726that not only are deployments of the system resuming, but3727they're accelerating. With well more than $12 billion of3728taxpayer money invested, it's time to start seeing a return on3729the investment.3730    But given the difficulties experienced in the Pacific3731Northwest, I look forward to hearing more about how these3732deployed sites will be brought up to standard and how VA plans3733to execute the new accelerated deployments.3734    Mr. Secretary, you've been in the headlines recently as the3735VA reviews the size of its workforce. Members are hearing from3736our constituents regularly on this, and I look forward to3737hearing more about your plans, to ensure you have the right3738people in the right places to take care of our veterans.3739    In addition to updates on those big picture items, we also3740look forward to hearing details about the Department's request3741for mental health services, including efforts to prevent3742veteran suicide, initiatives to prevent veterans' homelessness,3743resources dedicated to care for women veterans, and efforts to3744improve care for our rural veterans. We look forward to3745discussing these and other issues this morning.3746    Before we hear from the Secretary, I'd like to recognize my3747colleague, Senator Ossoff, for any opening comments that he3748would have.37493750                    STATEMENT OF SENATOR JON OSSOFF37513752    Senator Ossoff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A pleasure to be3753back with you again. And appreciate our bipartisan working3754relationship, and looking forward to continuing our shared3755efforts to support America's veterans. I want to welcome you3756Secretary Collins, a fellow Georgian. Thank you for your3757service.3758    And before we begin, as always, but particularly given3759events in the Middle East over the last several days, I want to3760express my gratitude to all of those who serve the United3761States with such courage and professionalism. I know we are all3762united in praying for the safety of service members, as well as3763diplomats and intelligence professionals who are overseas3764defending the nation.3765    As we examine the Department's fiscal year 2026, $4413766billion request, I want to begin by emphasizing that it is our3767shared priority on this subcommittee, across the aisle, to3768ensure that the men and women who have defended the United3769States in uniform receive the care, support, and benefits that3770they've earned. And I emphasize that word earned because VA3771benefits are not handouts or giveaways. This is a sacred3772contract between the nation and those who have defended it, as3773well as their families.3774    The purpose of today's hearing is for the Secretary to3775present the VA's budget request for fiscal year 2026. I echo3776the chairman in expressing my concern at the lack of3777supplemental materials and budget justification materials,3778which makes it very challenging for us to assess the merits of3779the overall request. I hope we can get some more details in the3780course of this hearing.3781    We see that the overall discretionary and mandatory funding3782levels for VA have increased. We recognize, the chairman also3783mentioned, in the first 2 years of the PACT Act between August3784of 2022 and August of 2024, in Georgia alone Mr. Chairman, more3785than 6,500 new Georgia veterans enrolled in VA healthcare.3786    We have seen 51,000 veterans with PACT Act claims granted,3787and of course to serve America's veterans, the VA needs to be3788staffed appropriately, to provide care both within and without3789the walls of VA facilities. And the VA needs to be welcoming to3790all veterans who have worn the uniform and to offer programs3791and assistance that these veterans need.3792    Mr. Secretary, you've requested a significant increase to3793expedite the rollout of the electronic health records3794modernization effort, as well as an increase in the3795construction accounts. Perhaps most significantly, and I know3796of some substantial bipartisan concern, we see a shift of $183797billion away from what Congress advanced last fiscal year for3798VA medical care.3799    Those funds have been reprogrammed toward The Toxic3800Exposures Fund, of course, a worthy endeavor and something that3801was established via the PACT Act. But there is substantial3802concern about this cut to the medical care account. I hope we3803can get some more details on that in the course of this3804hearing.3805    And Mr. Secretary, you know that now and long predating3806your tenure, Georgia veterans and veterans across the country3807are deeply frustrated. They're frustrated by wait times for3808appointments and care. They're frustrated by years--long3809adjudication of their claims, and the feeling that they're just3810slamming their head into a brick wall when they try to claim3811the benefits they've earned through their service.3812    Veterans are frustrated that they can't get answers and3813basic information from the Department. And frankly, Mr.3814Secretary, Members of Congress are frustrated that we can't get3815basic answers and information from the Department. And if you3816step back and think about it, if United States Senators can't3817get transparency from the VA, what hope is there for the rest3818of the country?3819    Mr. Secretary, when you came and met with me in advance of3820your confirmation, you promised me that as a former Member of3821Congress, you understood the vital role of Congressional3822oversight and pledged to be transparent and responsive.3823    But to be very candid with you, so far this year, although3824I've appreciated our opportunities to speak, the Department has3825been unresponsive to Congressional oversight, and has acted3826unilaterally without consultation of Congress in ways that I3827think you're aware have caused substantial concern and3828opposition on both sides of the aisle, and in both chambers of3829Congress.3830    So, I appreciate that you've been willing to get on the3831phone when I call, but Mr. Secretary, with all due respect, I3832don't call just to hear the sound of your voice. I want to make3833sure the Department is providing this subcommittee with the3834information that Members of Congress have requested, so that we3835can make sound decisions on behalf of our constituents and3836America's veterans. So, we are not off to a great start when it3837comes to transparency and responsiveness, but I'm hoping that3838that can change, and we can build an effective working3839relationship.3840    There are a few core concerns where we need more3841transparency; with respect to contract cancellations, the VASP3842program, staffing levels, the budget justification,3843supplementary materials that this subcommittee receives almost3844always in advance of this hearing, but which we lack today.3845    And members of this subcommittee and members of the Senate,3846Mr. Secretary, are going to continue to ask for information3847about your plans and intentions and Department operations,3848because as you know, from your time in Congress, that's our3849job. It's what we were elected to do. We can't legislate just3850based on someone's word or promise. We have to verify and3851understand precisely what you and other members of the3852Executive branch are doing.3853    So today, I look forward to hearing how the specifics of3854your fiscal year 2026 requests will ensure that, for example,3855clinical staffing gaps are filled. I also have some questions3856as you anticipate, and we discussed yesterday, Mr. Secretary,3857about some specific Georgia facilities. I thank you for your3858service to the nation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the time.3859    Senator Boozman. Thank you. You are recognized Secretary3860Collins.38613862               SUMMARY STATEMENT OF HON. DOUGLAS COLLINS38633864    Secretary Collins. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member,3865and it's good to see both of you and also the other Members3866that are here today. And Chairman, thanks for the opportunity3867and Ranking Member, again, is always good to be with a fellow3868Georgian.3869    And there's a lot of things going on. One of the things is,3870my first opportunity to come before this committee, and I've3871been looking forward to it for a while, to look at where we're3872at, to take an assessment in about four and a half months into3873my tenure, also into roughly about halfway through the first3874five and a half-six months of the Administration.3875    And one of the things that I have found, and I expressed3876this to you before, is I've traveled to about 17 states so far,387716-17 states, about 60 facilities and seeing firsthand what our3878VA is capable of and what we're doing, and the issues, and the3879struggles that we have as an organization that for the years3880has had issues.3881    And I think this is the thing that I want to bring out. As3882we go forward, it's not a matter of if there's a problem, there3883has been a problem. And I think this transcends even my time,3884definitely as Secretary, but even really coming into my time3885when I was in Congress, for over 8 years. We've seen this in3886Georgia, I was here in Congress when the first issues started3887coming out of Augusta, Georgia, when it started coming out of3888Phoenix. When we have found the Choice Act, that's how we then3889came to the MISSION Act. Which then leads to a lot of where we3890are today.3891    Now, some of the things that I have said before, and I want3892to say again, is that we are a very special group with the3893largest, of course, of all the Federal agencies outside of DOD.3894And if you break DOD up, we're actually the largest single3895agency. We're larger than the active-duty Army, personnel wise.3896    When we look at that, and you look at the mission that we3897have, and the silos that have been created many times in our3898hospitals and our benefits, one of the things I want to be very3899specific about is that we treat the best clients in the world.3900We have a very specific purpose. We're there to treat the3901veteran. And that became my core mission when we first started.3902This was to make sure that veterans were our center focus and3903not the organization itself.3904    As a Member of Congress and as I'm hearing from both3905Chairman and Ranking Member this morning, there is difficulty3906at times, and especially when 60 percent of your phone calls3907have to do with VA-related items, whether you're a member of3908this committee or not. That's a lot. And I've already said3909before that when 60 percent of the constituent calls have to do3910with VA, then that's a failure on our part. Somewhere along the3911way, we've not made it either easy enough, or processed enough,3912or give answers well enough, to make sure that the veteran is3913getting what they have, and I appreciate what the Ranking3914Members said, earned.3915    As one of those who has served for over 23 years in the Air3916Force and in the Navy as well, it is something that I take very3917seriously. It's an honor. It's not a gift from the government.3918It's an earned benefit when you raised your right hand. When we3919look at this, it has made me understand how much that we have3920to go and how far we need to get there.3921    In the past, what I have heard when I was in the Hill and3922off the Hill, is the issues of delays, wait times and others,3923which by the way, is also an interesting issue. And it's also3924interesting for us as we have to deal with the realities of our3925VA medical center, which is the largest healthcare system in3926the country is that we're one of the few that actually take3927wait times and use them the way that we do.3928    Most are doing it with the customer satisfaction. They look3929at wait times and they vary, because of the population they3930have. We need to make sure that our wait times for our veterans3931is something that they can get, not only in our system, but3932outside of our system. Community care, coupled with our direct3933care, is something that is vital. It's what the MISSION Act3934requires, and we're going to actually put that in purpose.3935We've not had that the last few years. We're actually putting a3936re-emphasis on it.3937    I'll hit more on healthcare and I look forward to our3938Health Records Management System. I think that's a great3939discussion we need to have. And Mr. Chairman, you brought that3940up and it's been brought up by the Ranking Member as well. This3941is vital to not only get our healthcare records management3942system up to date, but taking what has happened and moving us3943forward in the future. Because right now, it is a problem with3944our community care and it's a problem internally as well,3945because our system is not where it needs to be. We are using a3946system; it is very outdated.3947    I want to move really quickly to our veterans benefit. One3948of the things that this morning we were able to actually3949announce that we have finished 2 million disability claims this3950year, faster than has ever been done, in light of all that is3951going on. And we're looking to be 14 percent higher over the3952year by the year-end of processing disability claims.3953    When I took over in February and January 20th, and when I3954came in the first week of February, there was 260,000 of our3955backlog disabilities, over 125 days. That number is now under3956190. We've cut almost 71,000 off of our disability claims in a3957little over three and a half months. That's what that does. It3958clears up our backlog. It gets our answers to our veterans3959quicker, and it make sure they get what they want and what they3960need.3961    Overall, the VA is this, and I'm going to end with this. I3962don't think that anything that I have wanted, expressed, or3963said for my goals for the VA are different than any Veteran's3964Service Officer (VSO), any Member of Congress, any member of3965veteran who wants the same, they want an access that is easy.3966They want an access that is good. They want a quality facility.3967They want an excellent use and efficiency of the taxpayer3968dollar. And I believe that is what we're working toward.3969    We all have differences on how to get there, and that's3970what these committee hearings are for, and that's how we work3971together. And I look forward to working with this committee as3972we move forward and continuing to answer questions in the best3973way we possibly can.3974    With that, Mr. Chairman, I'll yield back.3975    [The statement follows:]3976             Prepared Statement of Hon. Douglas A. Collins3977    Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Ossoff, and distinguished members3978of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.3979    Since becoming the Secretary of VA, I have met many of the men and3980women who show up to work every day at the Department with a deep3981dedication to our mission-delivering health care and benefits to3982millions of Veterans who have served our Nation. They have my sincere3983thanks, and I cannot wait to meet more of them in the months ahead.3984    In this same period, I have come to learn what many of you on this3985subcommittee also realize: VA needs reform. We must do a better job of3986delivering timely care to Veterans, getting to ``yes'' so Veterans can3987get the benefits they have earned, and making sure the money Congress3988appropriates to VA is not diverted to non-mission critical or even3989wasteful programs.3990    In 2024, discussions in Congress about the need to reform VA were3991often just a thinly veiled request for more employees. But the3992Department's history shows that adding more employees to the system3993does not automatically mean better results.3994    The Biden Administration's record is a perfect example. During3995those 4 years, VA failed to address nearly all its most serious3996problems, such as benefits backlogs and rising health care wait times.3997The numbers speak for themselves:3998    The number of VA employees grew by more than 52,000 full-time3999equivalents from fiscal year (FY) 2021 to FY 2024. Did all those extra4000people make things better for Veterans? No. In fact, VA's performance4001got worse, as health care wait times rose and the number of Veterans4002waiting for disability benefits increased.4003    Something must change, and it is up to us to make that change.4004Under President Trump, we are working to solve problems that have4005persisted at VA for decades. Our goal is to create a Department that4006works better for the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors we4007serve.4008    I have never been shy when it comes to addressing tough issues4009head-on, and I will not ignore the elephant in the room here today. As4010everyone here is aware, we are conducting a thorough review of the4011Department's structure and staffing across the enterprise.4012    As I have said countless times, this review is aimed at finding4013ways to improve care and benefits for Veterans without cutting care and4014benefits for Veterans. Our goal is to increase productivity and4015efficiency, eliminate waste and bureaucracy, and improve the delivery4016of health care and benefits to Veterans.4017    We are going to maintain mission-essential jobs like doctors,4018nurses, and claims processors; and reduce administrator, advisor, and4019middle manager posts to eliminate duplicative, unnecessary layers of4020bureaucracy that do nothing to serve our Veterans and hinder our4021mission.4022    Our goal is to ensure we have employees where they are needed, cut4023unnecessary overhead, and strategically reduce staff to ensure VA's4024budget is mostly going directly to Veterans. We will accomplish this4025without making cuts to health care or benefits to Veterans or VA4026beneficiaries.4027    Year after year, calls for VA reform come from every corner-4028lawmakers, the media, watchdogs like Inspectors General and the4029Government Accountability Office (GAO), Veterans Service Organizations,4030and individual Veterans across the country.4031    This year, finally, we have embarked on a historic effort to reform4032VA. We have been emphatic that we will not be cutting benefits and4033health care-only improving them. And we are engaging career subject4034matter experts, senior executives, and political leadership to4035restructure the Department so it works better for Veterans.4036    We are doing what literally all VA stakeholders agree needs to be4037done. So, what has the reaction been? We have been met with a barrage4038of false rumors, innuendo, disinformation, and speculation implying we4039are firing doctors and nurses, forcing staff to work in closets and4040showers, and that there is ``chaos'' across the Department.4041    Why? Because we canceled some duplicative contracts for work VA can4042and should be doing in-house, and we let go of one half of 1% of non-4043mission critical employees.4044    To hear our critics tell it, the Department was perfect until we4045started making changes in January 2025. Everyone knows that is not4046true.4047    The fact is that VA health care has been on GAO's high-risk list4048for more than a decade. GAO even says VA faces ``system-wide challenges4049in overseeing patient safety and access to care, hiring critical staff,4050and meeting future infrastructure needs.'' We are working hard to fix4051these and other issues, and we need your help. We want to work with4052Congress to fix VA. But our shared goal needs to be making things4053better for Veterans rather than protecting the Department's broken4054bureaucracy.4055    VA is not a Federal jobs program. It is an organization whose sole4056purpose is to serve Veterans. We must never lose sight of that.4057    And despite major opposition from many in the media, union bosses,4058and some in Congress, we are already making significant progress to4059better serve Veterans, including:40604061  --Making sure Veterans get the health care choices they were promised4062        under the Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening4063        Integrated Outside Networks Act.40644065  --Decreasing VA's disability claims backlog by 25% (https://4066        news.va.gov/press- room/record-breaking-va-claims-production-4067        brings-backlog-under-200k/) since January 20, 2025, after it4068        increased 24% during the Biden Administration.40694070  --Processing record numbers of disability claims (https://4071        news.va.gov/press- room/va-processes-one-million-disability-4072        claims-faster-than-ever-before/), reaching 1 million claims4073        processed for FY 2025 as of February 20, 2025, faster than at4074        any point in history.40754076  --Implementing major reforms (https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-4077        announces- major-survivor-benefits-reforms/) to make it easier4078        for survivors to get benefits, after serious problems (https://4079        edition.cnn.com/2025/03/19/politics/veteran- suicides-va-4080        benefits-invs) during the Biden Administration.40814082  --Accelerating the deployment (https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-4083        names-nine- additional-facilities-that-will-deploy-federal-ehr-4084        in-2026/) of its integrated electronic health record system,4085        after the program was nearly dormant for almost 2 years under4086        the Biden Administration.40874088  --Phasing out treatment for gender dysphoria (https://news.va.gov/4089        press-room/va- to-phase-out-treatment-for-gender-dysphoria/) .4090        Frankly, this commonsense reform should have been done years4091        ago.40924093  --Ending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Department4094        https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-ends-dei-stops-millions-in-4095        spending-on-dei/), reversing the divisive Biden-era policies4096        and stopping more than $14 million in DEI spending.40974098  --Bringing nearly 60,000 VA employees back to the office (https://4099        news.va.gov/press-room/va-announces-return-to-in-person-work-4100        policy/), where we can work better as a team to serve Veterans.41014102    But we are just getting started. We have an obligation to make VA4103work better for the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors we4104are charged with serving. That is exactly what we have been doing and4105exactly what we will continue to do.4106    As I previously stated, we appreciate your help and support and4107look forward to working with you and your Senate colleagues to improve4108the lives of those who have worn the uniform. Today, I ask for your4109help on three pressing issues:4110    1. We ask you and your colleagues to confirm our highly qualified4111nominees--many of whom are Veterans--as quickly as possible. Five4112nominees are currently awaiting full Senate confirmation, three of whom4113have been waiting nearly 2.5 months for the Senate to act.4114    2. We ask that you pass President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill,4115which would benefit all Americans by providing the largest working- and4116middle-class tax cut in history.4117    3. We ask that you approve President Trump's FY 2026 Budget4118Request.41194120    President Trump is committed to balancing the budget while4121providing adequate funding for critical non-defense discretionary4122priorities-securing our borders, caring for our Veterans, and continued4123infrastructure investment. Reaching balance requires:41244125  --Resetting the proper balance between Federal and State4126        responsibilities with a renewed emphasis on federalism;4127  --Eliminating the Federal Government's support of woke ideology;4128  --Protecting the American people by deconstructing a wasteful and4129        weaponized bureaucracy; and4130  --Identifying and eliminating wasteful spending.4131    The budget levels reflect the reforms necessary to enable VA to4132fulfill its statutory responsibilities in the most cost-effective4133manner possible.4134    The budget provides increased funding for health care services4135tailored to Veterans' needs, both at VA medical centers and in the4136community. The budget ensures that the Nation's Veterans are provided4137with the world-class health care they deserve. In addition, Veterans4138who qualify for access to care with local community providers would be4139empowered to make the choice to see them, rather than having to drive,4140in some cases, hours to access the nearest VA facility.4141    VA discretionary budget request for FY 2026 is $134.6 billion, and4142$52.6 billion for Toxic Exposures Fund, for a total request of $187.24143billion. This is an increase of $27.6 billion (+17%) above the FY 20254144enacted level.4145    VA is committed to ending Veteran homelessness. The budget includes4146a new effort, Bridging Rental Assistance for Veterans Empowerment4147(BRAVE), which will provide $1.1 billion to support the President's4148commitment to end Veteran homelessness. VA will be directly responsible4149for programs and financial support to provide rental assistance and4150other support services.4151    The budget request also includes $3.5 billion for the Electronic4152Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. VA's EHRM effort is moving4153the Department from a decades-old legacy system to a modern system that4154is interoperable with systems at the Department of Defense and other4155Federal partners, as well as participating community care providers,4156allowing clinicians to easily access a Veteran's full medical history4157anywhere they seek care. Acceleration of the EHRM rollout is now a top4158VA priority effort. The FY 2026 funding will enable VA to complete4159planned deployments in FY 2027.4160    Thank you for your time and attention, and I look forward to your4161questions.41624163    Senator Boozman. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. And with that,4164we'll start our round of five-minute questions. Mr. Secretary,4165last year's VA budget, which was not under your watch, last4166year's VA budget request took a great amount of risk with some4167of the assumptions it made.4168    VA assumed it had sufficient carryover balances to avoid4169requesting a second bite for veterans' medical care, yet later4170told Congress that it had a $12 billion shortfall in those4171accounts, an amount subsequently revised to $6 billion. VA also4172told Congress that it would exhaust its benefits funding before4173the end of the fiscal year, prompting us to pass an emergency4174supplemental.4175    Only afterwards did we learn that VA didn't actually4176utilize any of that supplemental funding. After the events of4177last year, the appetite for continued bailouts in Congress is4178extremely low. Mr. Secretary, how much risk is VA assuming with4179this budget? And how confident are you that the data and4180assumptions underlying the request are sound?4181    Secretary Collins. Mr. Chairman, I think that was one of4182the biggest issues that came up consistently in my confirmation4183hearings with the information that was given, taken back, move4184forward. As we've all come--to not rehash the entire episode4185altogether--there were assumptions made, and also hirings and4186others that took funds, and there was a rapid acceleration4187that, especially in the VBA side that took that money down.4188    What we are doing and what I have told our budget folks,4189and I've also told each of our business lines, that they are to4190work within the numbers that we have, their look--ahead, and4191make sure that there's nothing and the underlying assumptions4192for our carryovers and the funds. I ask this question almost4193weekly in making sure that we're at, because I will not come up4194here in a situation in which we've overspent or at least4195perceived overspent.4196    That was the problem that I think, again, not having a part4197of it last year, that was the part that bothered me the most,4198was their numbers were not adding up when they came up here.4199And then after even the OIG report and other reports came out,4200it just was frankly to some mismanagement in how they/we were4201hiring and how we were appropriating money and not keeping up4202with it.4203    I'm very solid in what I believe our numbers are for this4204year. I believe that the backing is solid on that as well. My4205budget people are here as well, and I think they'll agree with4206that going forward. So, I think where we're at right now is4207where we need to be, to make sure that we're spending4208appropriately and making sure the services are available.4209    Senator Boozman. Very good. Mr. Secretary, I know something4210that's very important to you is veteran suicide, which it is to4211me and so many other members of this committee on both sides of4212the aisle. VA has numerous suicide prevention initiatives, and4213yet we still see elevated suicide rates among veterans relative4214to their civilian counterparts.4215    Can you discuss how the VA is approaching suicide4216prevention? And under your leadership, what current initiatives4217do you believe are working to reverse these negative trends?4218    Secretary Collins. Chairman, this is the one that really4219literally keeps me up at night if I think about this. And when4220I get the reports coming in from the field, especially when we4221have had death by suicide occurring on our own campuses, I get4222those notifications immediately. And then we have, what has4223happened since 2008, is a number that's not really changed. In42242008, 17 to 22 veterans taking their own life.4225    The issue that I have is we're spending approximately in4226the budget $588 million dollars for what is called prevention.4227But yet we're still not seeing anything different. So, what I'm4228looking at is a fresh new approach. We're going to look at4229how--and of those numbers, 17 to 20 veterans, depending on the4230numbers you use--half of them have not had contact with the VA.4231They've not been in our system, in other words.4232    So, things like the Fox Grant program, which reaches out to4233organizations which I encourage is to be renewed this time. 954234organizations have been a part of that. And they're reaching4235out and helping veterans who are not necessarily enrolled in4236our VA system. They're bringing them in.4237    I have also been reaching out to other organizations, going4238to different places, nonprofits, and others to say, how can we4239work together? Because at this point, I think the monies that4240you're appropriating, the monies that we're trying to spend,4241goes to one thing: is that, can we help a veteran not get to4242the point where they feel like they have to take their own4243life?4244    But for me, it's just a complete re-look at how we're doing4245it. We can't keep doing the same things the same way and expect4246different results. We've got to make sure that we're doing it4247differently.4248    Senator Boozman. Very good. Senator Ossoff.4249    Senator Ossoff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you4250again, Mr. Secretary.4251    So just to start with the basics here, Mr. Secretary, the4252total all--in request for fiscal year 2026 is $441.2 billion,4253correct?4254    Secretary Collins. Yes.4255    Senator Ossoff. And how much of your medical services4256request is for personnel? And how many personnel through this4257medical services request do you intend to employ in fiscal year42582026?4259    Secretary Collins. I have my budget guy Andrew here as4260well, if there's numbers that we need, Mr. Chairman, at your4261discretion. The issue that you brought up is, right now there4262are currently 465,000 employees in VA as a whole. Veterans4263Health Administration (VHA) has 409,000 of those.4264    Senator Ossoff. I'm so sorry, the question is, how many4265staff do you intend to employ through the medical services4266budget in fiscal year 2026?4267    Secretary Collins. Andrew, do we have that--396,000.4268    Senator Ossoff. 396,000. Okay. The fiscal year 20254269request--and just to be clear, that's intended staffing of4270medical services in fiscal year 2026? Say the number again?4271    Secretary Collins. 395,000.4272    Senator Ossoff. 396,000. Okay. How many physicians do you4273intend to employ in fiscal year 2026?4274    Secretary Collins. Physicians, Andrew.4275    Senator Ossoff. I'm sorry, who are you?4276    Secretary Collins. Andrew is our budget director. Right4277now, we currently have 28,868 physicians.4278    Senator Ossoff. Yes. So, how many physicians do you intend4279to employ in fiscal year 2026?4280    Secretary Collins. We're not cutting physicians. So, at4281this point in time, under that budget, we're still looking to4282continue 28,868 at minimum. Because we're also having to add4283physicians, which are not, which are exempt. So, we're adding4284those as we can.4285    Senator Ossoff. So, here's what we usually--this is, for4286example, the budget request from 2025, and it specifies that4287for 2025, we're requested 25,099 physicians. So, we usually get4288this in advance of this hearing. So, my question is just how4289many doctors you intend to employ?4290    Secretary Collins. Yeah. And at this point in time, I'll4291take that and get it back to you. As I told you yesterday on4292the phone, there'll be some more information coming later this4293week.4294    Senator Ossoff. Okay. How about dentists?4295    Secretary Collins. Same answer.4296    Senator Ossoff. Do you have the number for nurses?4297    Secretary Collins. We currently employ 91,040. I'll have4298the breakdown.4299    Senator Ossoff. But my question is how many----4300    Secretary Collins. And I understand and breakdown will be4301provided as I said yesterday.4302    Senator Ossoff. Okay. Well, how have you calculated the4303money you need for personnel without having yet decided how4304many personnel to employ?4305    Secretary Collins. In the breakdown of the budget, which4306right now is still going on, these are the numbers that we are4307using to go forward from last year's budget into this year's4308budget. And at this point there is also a gap in how many we4309currently hired and not hired. And so, at this point, I'll have4310the numbers for you that we've not provided yet. We'll be4311providing those numbers.4312    Senator Ossoff. But you've proposed about $17 or $184313billion cut to the medical services account, correct?4314    Secretary Collins. That is not the President Budget makes4315adjustments to the funding that devote additional funding,4316appropriate funding to community care. This is not a cut to4317total funding to VHA. In fact, the total medical care budget4318grew by 17 percent to $24 billion.4319    Senator Ossoff. Not medical care, medical services. So, and4320just to be clear, I mean, the chairman mentioned this. We4321usually get this, which specifies----how many folks you intend4322to employ.4323    Secretary Collins. I understand completely.4324    Senator Ossoff. We have a 26-page PowerPoint. But in that432526-page PowerPoint, here are specified about $17 billion in4326cuts to the medical services budget. So, what are you cutting4327in medical services? Who specifically are you cutting since4328that's exclusively personnel?4329    Secretary Collins. Again, this is the issue that we have4330and I'll just state this for either us to go back in circles.4331We'll be providing more of those numbers, as I said yesterday4332on our phone call, this week. So, at this point in time, the4333numbers that we're providing are the numbers that we have at4334this point. I'll be happy to talk to you further about those4335later.4336    Senator Ossoff. I understand that, that's why we usually4337get these in advance of this hearing. I mean, I'm wondering if4338we need to reconvene having received the full budget request.4339Because the thing that is causing a lot of consternation is4340this proposed $17-$18 billion cut to medical services. And so,4341today is the budget hearing, where you justify the budget4342request. So how do you justify this cut to medical services and4343who are you going to fire in order to pay for it?4344    Secretary Collins. And I'll go back to the same answer I4345gave you just a few minutes ago. I mean, in this process, we'll4346have the more information on that part of it as we go forward.4347The basis of the budget was based on our workforce as it4348existed and moving forward. And the numbers have not been cut4349to the medical care budget.4350    Senator Ossoff. I'm sorry. Yes, it has. You have in your4351PowerPoint here, $17-$18 billion in cuts to medical services.4352Again, this is a 26-page PowerPoint to justify the budget. And4353this is the budget hearing, so who's getting fired? I don't4354know Mr. Chairman, if we need to reconvene after they send us4355the materials, but I think this is insufficient clearly, and4356I'll follow up in my next round.4357    Senator Collins. We don't.4358    Senator Ossoff. [continued] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.4359    Senator Boozman. Senator Fisher.4360    Senator Fischer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you,4361Secretary, for being here today, and thank you for the work4362that you do.4363    You spoke in your earlier comments about the wait system,4364and I've been proud to work on a program recently, the External4365Provider Scheduling system, and the system uses technology to4366link VA scheduling teams to providers in the community,4367allowing them to directly see available appointments and then4368schedule appointments for veterans.4369    This makes the scheduling process much more efficient and4370it increases the number of appointments schedulers can schedule4371per day, enabling veterans to receive care sooner.4372Unfortunately, last year, the Administration slow walked and4373even rolled back the rollout of EPS at some VA medical centers.4374    Mr. Secretary, given the uncertainty that we saw with the4375EPS rollout last year, stakeholders are rightfully on high4376alert for program disruptions. Can you provide some reassurance4377that the External Provider Scheduling (EPS) rollout will4378continue without disruption under the current Administration?4379And do you think it would be beneficial to create a line item4380for EPS to create greater certainty for the program and to4381ensure its success?4382    Secretary Collins. Senator, I think, as you mentioned, that4383is one of the biggest issues that is currently out there as far4384as how we rate wait times, as far as from direct care to4385community care and back. Yes, we're going to continue with EPS4386and EPS has resulted in over 28,000 appointments scheduled in4387more than 7,400 providers of services onboarded. Just and the4388Omaha VAMC, as well, we just had 56 providers brought on and4389755 coming in the queue.4390    It's also showed a reduction in the number of days from4391file entry date going forward to the first scheduled4392appointment, which is the important date, how much time does it4393take to get that first contact, to then get an appointment.4394    So, we're doing everything we possibly can. Those will be4395definitely used as we go forward for the scheduling on what we4396can get. And I look forward to working with that as we go4397forward. And also trying to find any other way that we could,4398especially with a third-party system, which is, especially when4399you deal with outside our community partners as well. This also4400leads into another discussion at some point concerning the4401Electronic Health Records Management System, which does not4402communicate well to anybody.4403    Senator Fischer. Exactly. Right. Would it be helpful to you4404to make it a line item in the budget? The EPS system?4405    Secretary Collins. I think if that's the feeling of this4406body as well it's not something we would oppose.4407    Senator Fischer. Okay, thank you. As you know, VA4408facilities are old, several decades old, and the costly4409renovations, they just don't cut it anymore. In Nebraska, our4410Omaha VA Medical Center is 75 years old this year, and I've4411been working to ensure a new VA medical center in Omaha as a4412priority. And I was pleased to see that the Department4413requested a major increase in the major construction account.4414    Mr. Secretary, can you talk about the need to continue to4415invest in our VA infrastructure and the Department's plans for4416ensuring a strong VA footprint?4417    Secretary Collins. Yes, I can. And again, as you made4418reference to, that's $3 billion, so $1 billion increase in the4419major construction as we look forward. This also brings up a4420bigger issue, and I think this is for the Chairman and for4421everybody here. When you look at our construction processes--4422because most of our facilities were averaging about 60 years in4423age, of these facilities. The problem we're having is over the4424past few years, especially in Congress, we've seen the problems4425of building facilities. We saw this in Colorado. We've seen it4426in other places, in the expanding cost of these facilities.4427    Part of that is how we're funding these. We're starting out4428with a proposition that I'll give, we'll put into the budget,4429major construction, say a hundred million to do a site study.4430Then we'll come back the next year and we'll do maybe even a4431little bit more, 200 million to do land. After a while, you've4432now run a project that should take 24 months, you've run it4433into almost eight to 10 years, Louisville being an example, and4434others being an example of how long this can get strung out.4435And also, you've increased the cost.4436    So, I'm glad we're funding it, but we need to look at more4437of a front-end funding model, especially if we're going to4438replace whole hospitals. I give this example. Right now,4439there's a proposal that has increased by several hundred4440million dollars just in the last few years, in St. Louis to4441replace that center. It's now up to $1.7 billion, has not been4442moved forward on, but it's increasing every year due to regular4443costs.4444    And I'll just refer it back to a hospital in my hometown of4445Gainesville, Georgia, which built a similar sized facility.4446They built it for half of that, more than half of that price,4447and did it in less than 24 months. We've got to get out of this4448process of overseeing and completely redo how we're looking at4449major construction.4450    Senator Fischer. I agree with you on that. It's important4451to be able to move it because then you're using taxpayer4452dollars to provide for our veterans in a more responsible4453manner as well. I think we have to also look at flexibility.4454And when I was first elected to the Senate, one of the first4455things I did was write the CHIP IN for Veterans Act, and we4456have had such success in the Omaha area with that partnership4457established with the community.4458    So, I thank the VA for being responsive in processes like4459that so we can continue to provide services to VA as we work to4460make better use of taxpayer money on the larger facilities that4461of course, are also needed. So, thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank4462you.4463    Secretary Collins. And we look forward to continuing4464support of the CHIP IN as well.4465    Senator Fischer. Thank you.4466    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Hoeven.4467    Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks to you and4468the Ranking Member for having this hearing today.4469    Secretary, I want to start actually by thanking you. It4470seems to me that to run a very large agency like the VA4471successfully, you have to do a number of things. First, provide4472leadership, then build a strong team, and then empower them.4473And from what I've seen, that's just exactly what you're doing.4474    And the example I want to point to is the Fargo National4475Veterans Cemetery. Because of your strong leadership and your4476willing to work with us, we've created a partnership between4477the VA, so your agency, the state of North Dakota, the private4478sector, and veterans, to move forward on a very important4479project for our veterans in the region. That's going to be a4480huge benefit to our state of North Dakota.4481    This is our one and only Federal veterans cemetery. It's4482going to serve all of Western Minnesota and everything in South4483Dakota, all the way over to Spearfish. I say that for the4484benefit of my colleague, Senator Rounds, and we were governors4485together, so we go back a long ways. But South Dakota's got a4486nice cemetery for our veterans way out in the Western end.4487    And so, this is incredibly important for this region of the4488country. And you were willing to sit down and listen to what4489we're trying to accomplish. And then you directed your people4490to work with us. I want to give a special thanks to Jon Lauder,4491to Darrell Owens and also to Don Bivens. But mostly to you,4492because it's that kind of leadership that enabled you to4493actually leverage your resources.4494    So, we're talking about your resources today, and you only4495have so many resources at the Federal VA, and you're always4496going to have demand for more services than you're ever going4497to have resources to supply. So here you are, leveraging state4498and private sector resources in a very significant way to do a4499lot more for veterans where they really need the help.4500    And so, for the veterans and their families, they're going4501to now have a cemetery in the Fargo-Moorhead region, which is4502more than a quarter of a million people right there. And then4503you've got, as I say, that huge area that you're going to4504serve. And that doesn't happen without the right kind of4505leadership. And so big thank you to you.4506    But also, it emphasizes how important it is--and I want to4507very respectfully ask our colleagues on the other side of the4508aisle--work with us to get more of your folks in place. For4509example, the Assistant Secretary overseeing the cemetery, Sam4510Brown, he hadn't been confirmed yet. Don Bivens, who's going to4511be your Congressional person for the Senate, he hadn't been4512confirmed yet. You need these folks in place.4513    And serving veterans has never been a partisan issue. It's4514an issue that we all need to work on together. And so, the4515point of this is first, big thank you, and this is so important4516that we're moving forward now the right way, and we look4517forward to continue to work with you on it. But it really4518highlights the need for you to get your folks, your team in4519place, you so you can do more of it.4520    Secretary Collins. I appreciate that, Senator. Let me just4521also emphasize this as well, it's not just Sam at our National4522cemetery as well. Our CFO, Topping, is still waiting to be4523confirmed as well. That's a big issue. I know especially since4524we're sitting here discussing budget. Also, our General4525Counsel. We're sitting here--we're in June right now, going4526forward.4527    So, any encouragement that we could to get these passed,4528and I understand the differences in bodies and members wanting4529to vote, but at least put them to the floor and vote on them.4530Because it does have an effect in the Departments, not just4531mine, but others. But right now, we have a single confirmed4532appointment in our Department. We have the Deputy and that's4533it.4534    Senator Hoeven. Yes. And 100 percent and you've gone4535through the full process and you bring experience not only as a4536congressman, but as a colonel in the military, as somebody4537who's served in combat. I love the fact that your dad was in4538the highway patrol. I was governor, so you know how much I love4539the highway patrol.4540    So, I mean, you just bring that background and I would hope4541that everybody could look at that and say, okay, sure. If4542there's somebody in there, that there's truly an issue and4543they're controversial, whatever, but let's see if we can't get4544more of these folks on board to serve our veterans. So that's4545my pitch there as well as a thank you, big thank you.4546    The other thing I want to bring up briefly is for veterans4547getting access to VA reimbursement in nursing homes, they have4548to go through a whole additional set of reviews and4549regulations, which a lot of nursing homes won't do. And if we4550could just make those reviews and requirements consistent with4551what CMS requires, I think a lot more nursing homes would4552accept VA reimbursement for veterans, which is really important4553to the family because they don't have to dissipate all their4554resources before they would go on Medicaid, right? And then4555they can have that veteran in their community.4556    And the Office of Federal Compact Compliance Programs--I4557say that for a reason. It sounds kind of bureaucratic,4558governmental, and that's exactly the process. When they're4559throwing a lot at things in place that require duplicate costs,4560and whatever you can do to work with us there, I think would4561really help veterans get access to long-term care.4562    Secretary Collins. Senator, I'm looking for everybody,4563because that is one of the issues that we look forward, is our4564older veteran population. This is going to become more and more4565of an issue as we move forward, especially something we have to4566look at. It is concerning to me that we do have duplicative,4567not only in this area of long-term care, but others as well.4568It's one of the biggest things that I have faced in my tenure4569in just a large bureaucratic organization.4570    I said this before and I will continue to say it.4571Unfortunately, the VA has come sort of the example that's used4572most of the time for bureaucratic organizations that are large4573and unwieldy and don't get stuff done. I'm trying to streamline4574that to where we can get decisions made a lot quicker.4575    Senator Hoeven. Right on. And it's not just institutional4576long-term care; it's also home care.4577    Secretary Collins. Exactly.4578    Senator Hoeven. And so that's a big deal. Really big deal4579too.4580    Secretary Collins. And I am looking forward to, we're4581continuing to up with the Elizabeth Dole Act and continue to4582move forward on a lot of that caregiver issues that are going4583to be coming along.4584    Senator Hoeven. Again, thank you Secretary. Appreciate it.4585Thank you, Mr. Chair.4586    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Hyde-Smith.4587    Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you Mr. Chairman. And thank you,4588Mr. Secretary. We so appreciate your willingness to serve and4589your leadership is very much appreciated by this body. You've4590got a tall drink of water in front of you, but, so thank you4591for stepping up to that. And we appreciate you coming to4592Mississippi back in April, to the State Veterans Home there on4593the Gulf Coast. That meant a lot to the community and to our4594veterans that we have there. Very important segment of our4595society on the Gulf Coast.4596    We have about 180,000 veterans in Mississippi. And these4597men and women stepped forward, many from rural towns and small4598areas. It amazes me the percentage of veterans that we have4599that came out of small, small towns that didn't even have a red4600light in them. We are very proud of that, because it's our duty4601to ensure when they come home, that they do have access to4602quality care, that's going to meet their specific needs.4603    And as the challenge that you and I both are aware of that4604they face, is the shortfall in the infrastructure, particularly4605construction funding for VA medical centers. And the fiscal4606year 2024 VA state home construction grant priority included4607184 projects, yet only 10 were approved for funding. Many of4608these delayed projects involved the basic repairs as well as4609some critical upgrades that are truly critical, but things that4610direct effectively the quality and safety of our veterans in4611the care that you're so well aware of.4612    So how does your Administration plan to address the4613Department's growing infrastructure needs, given the reality of4614limited construction funding?4615    Secretary Collins. Well, that's what we had hit a little4616bit earlier, and I want to just go specific, and you're talking4617about the 184 projects on the priority list and ten approved4618for funding. This is the problem that we're facing all along.4619And it's not something that goes away, and it's the reoccurring4620maintenance issues. It's the growth issues. There are areas--4621our home state of Georgia, Atlanta, is one that is growing,4622probably one of the fastest in the country.4623    And yet, we look through long-term construction plans, it's4624trying to get the process moving. The big thing, and I think,4625and I would love to have both sides of the aisle help on this,4626we really need to go back and take a look at how we're doing4627long-term construction inside the VA. And it's going to come4628from statute, a great deal. Because we have, Corps of Engineer4629involvement, we've got major projects. We've got a lot of4630different things that really just throw a roadblock into how we4631are to get these projects done.4632    And what we're wanting to do is we've used--in fact, we4633moved some monies this year to get some non-reoccurring4634maintenance cost knocked off that had been lingering. So, we4635used some of that money, and that was before I got there and4636even afterward.4637    One of the reasons we do have a larger ask is because of in46382026 was geared toward critical and safety needs as we go4639forward. But we did not get to ask for a full capital account4640on the previous budget, which was not ours because of the4641yearlong CR, and because of the CR process. That's another4642issue that's going to come in involved in this as we go4643forward. So, we're looking at everything we possibly can.4644    And in some of the areas where hospitals just may not be in4645a process of being, especially from the major hospitals being4646rebuilt, is can we do larger size CBOCs, clinics, that can take4647some of the pressure off of some of our hospitals and then redo4648some of what is in our current hospital set up.4649    Senator Hyde-Smith. And thank you for your work on that4650because I mean, you certainly have it focused and you're4651certainly aiming to that. But you and I both know, we are so4652aware of the long wait times for appointments, and I know that4653you're working on that, the red tape that trying to access the4654care and the benefits that they've earned. But despite the4655record levels of funding for the VA in recent years, many of4656these frustrations still remain.4657    So, you want to share with us what your Department is doing4658to make sure the funding plus ups are translating into faster,4659more efficient care for veterans?4660    Secretary Collins. Well, we're looking at back now and also4661taking advantage of all the resources that we have. And I think4662that's been one of the issues that I've looked at in just the4663last few months is, are we using the resources given by4664Congress, not from just a dollar and cents standpoint, but also4665from the aspect of using our community care networks and using4666the balance that we have, especially in our growing areas to4667make sure that veterans can get the care that they need4668quicker.4669    Unfortunately, in the last little bit and especially in the4670last few years, we've seen a move away from community care and4671to keep it more internal, keep it in-house. And I won't go to4672the national motivations for that. I think there was many4673involved, but I believe VA care is VA care no matter where4674we're paying the bill at, because we're going to hold them to4675the same high standards.4676    So, we've got to look at it from a perspective of, are we4677using our community care partners, which sometimes are quicker4678than our direct care, and many times we're quicker in our4679direct care than our community partners. But in certain4680specialty areas we are also using the best medical interest4681standard now, which is also giving the doctor and the veteran4682much more of a discussion together on what is the best medical4683interest for that veteran to get that care quicker and in the4684process they need.4685    Senator Hyde-Smith. Yeah. And we're seeing results there. I4686certainly appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.4687    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Murray.4688    Senator Murray. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and our4689Ranking Member, Senator Ossoff. Good to work with both of you4690on this really critical committee.4691    Secretary Collins, you are charged with making sure we keep4692our promises to our veterans. And I will tell you, as the4693daughter of a veteran, one who had great need for the VA4694benefits, I take this work seriously.4695    Now, Mr. Secretary, I know you hate scaring our veterans,4696but here's what I know. When you fire thousands of VA staff4697with no rationale beside Musk said so, that really scares4698veterans. When you cancel hundreds of contracts, including a4699cancer registry in my state, that scares veterans. When you4700muzzle our researchers, that scares veterans.4701    When you eliminate the VASP program, which helps save4702veterans from foreclosure in their homes, that scares veterans.4703When you remove language saying veterans and doctors can't be4704discriminated against based on their political views or marital4705status with no explanation until after people called it out,4706that scares veterans.4707    And more than just scaring veterans, it puts the care and4708the support they have not only earned, but are entitled to, in4709serious jeopardy. So, if you're concerned about scaring4710veterans, my suggestion is to stop doing what you're doing,4711focus on what matters. Stop implementing policies with no4712explanation or analysis, lift the hiring freeze, and get our4713facilities fully staffed.4714    So, to that end, I have a few questions about some of the4715actions that veterans have told me they are deeply concerned4716about. And I hope today you can put their minds at ease and4717give us some clear, straightforward answers. Secretary Collins,4718there's been a lot of discussion regarding your decision to4719modify VA provider guidelines that would open the door to4720discrimination. You struck the words age, national origin,4721politics, marital status, and disability, from the anti-4722discrimination policy that was applied to our VA hospitals and4723our clinics.4724    When you change the guidelines and removed the words,4725making clear when discrimination is not tolerated, what you4726actually signaled to veterans across the country, that they may4727be actually denied the care that they need. So, Mr. Secretary,4728if you insist these categories are already covered by Federal4729law, and therefore your changes do not provide openings for4730discrimination, will you commit then to reinstating the4731previous policy?4732    Secretary Collins. Senator, this is exactly what--and I4733appreciate you taking my own words because it's about time that4734somebody up here actually decided that they were not going to4735continue to repeat false things that keep people and veterans4736from actually trusting the VA.4737    And by bringing this up again, which was a Guardian4738article, which by the way, two major publications, The Post and4739Times, others who looked into this said, there's nothing there.4740But the Guardian who wanted clickbait decided to run with4741something, and then it was amplified, is scaring veterans. And4742if they're concerned, because also----4743    Senator Murray. But you took words out----4744    Secretary Collins. Understand something. No, may I finish4745this because this is important, because I've been accused of4746this. It's not scaring, nothing was changed that actually4747affected it. This is the problem we're seeing. Title 5, U.S.4748Code 2302, prevent discrimination based on marital status,4749political affiliation. 7102, participation rights and barring4750interference with those rights, all there. VHA directive 1019,4751governing all medical services provided by VA and prohibits4752discrimination on the basis of marital status or political4753affiliation. There's nothing changed.4754    By the way, our bylaws also don't say that we have to feed4755our patients three times a day. Should we put that in there4756specifically? No, I'm not going to let you get away with this.4757    Senator Murray. Well, Mr. Secretary, I have the floor for a4758second----4759    Secretary Collins. No, you're not being truthful with this.4760    Senator Murray. What I'm telling you is what veterans hear4761and what Americans hear. Please listen. When you take something4762out, it says that's been eliminated. Period.4763    Secretary Collins. No, it does not.4764    Senator Murray. Well, it does.4765    Secretary Collins. Only when you have a cheap magazine like4766The Guardian who wants to put it out there and put it in a4767position, and then have actually people of your stature and4768others who amplified it. How can it be that something that4769doesn't change anything, that fact checkers have already said4770doesn't change anything.4771    Senator Murray. Okay, your position is, it doesn't change4772anything. I hear you.4773    Secretary Collins. It doesn't. There is no position. It is4774the fact.4775    Senator Murray. Well, do you think it's possible to be4776eligible for care and still be discriminated against when you4777try to access healthcare?4778    Secretary Collins. No one is discriminated against at the4779VA. And by simply repeating that, could keep somebody from4780getting the critical mental health care that they need. And4781that would be on you and anybody else that wants to repeat it.4782    Senator Murray. Well, Mr. Secretary, in fact, many of us4783have heard from women veterans----4784    Secretary Collins. Then did you help correct them?4785    Senator Murray. Mr. Secretary----4786    Secretary Collins. Did you help correct them, or did you4787put on the line?4788    Senator Murray. Did you? You took the words out. I did not.4789    Secretary Collins. I did. I've been on TV. I've put out4790videos, I've done everything because of a false article. I4791cannot believe we're still going down this route.4792    Senator Murray. Well, I can believe it.4793    Secretary Collins. It's amazing.4794    Senator Murray. I can believe it when you take words out4795that people hear them, and I'm telling you that, Mr. Secretary,4796I'm simply telling you, when you took those words out, people4797heard it in a specific way. Therefore, I'm asking you, why4798don't you put them back in and eliminate----4799    Secretary Collins. No, they heard it in a specific way4800because a reporter who looked for clicks decided to write an4801article that he knew was false.4802    Senator Murray. Again, I have heard from women veterans4803about experiences, which is why I have----4804    Secretary Collins. Do you have an example that you can give4805to me? Because I'll make sure it's created. Nobody is to be4806discriminated against.4807    Senator Murray. Well, if you're going to call each4808individual woman in the country and tell them they're not going4809to be discriminated against.4810    Secretary Collins. There's not every woman in the country4811that's done this because, number 1, we only serve veterans.4812    Senator Murray. Let me move on. Let me move on. I want to4813ask you about the Toxic Exposure Fund; this is really critical.4814Congress has already appropriated funding for medical care,4815which has been passed into law. Your budget request proposes to4816cancel $18 billion of that money and shift it over to the Toxic4817Exposures Fund. I am supportive of putting funds where they're4818needed, but I do want to make sure that you are aware there are4819specific limitations for the use of those funds that are in4820statute.4821    These are guardrails to prevent misuse and address4822concerns. We put that in because of concerns from my colleagues4823on the other side of the aisle, who were very concerned about4824turning that into a slush fund. So, can you commit to us that4825you will abide by those limitations for all the funds being4826spent from the TEF, to include agreements made with the4827committee about what expenses, incident to delivery of care,4828means?4829    Secretary Collins. We're committed to following the law and4830this stuff that we're supposed to in this. And I know this was4831a concern from the previous Administration because the previous4832Secretary to my seat actually said he could do whatever he4833wanted to with those funds. I'm willing to work with this4834committee, as I have said and told you before, I'll work with4835this committee to follow the rules on that.4836    Senator Murray. All I'm asking is, you're asking to move4837$18 billion into that fund. Are you committed to following the4838guardrails, the statute language that surrounds those funds?4839Because Mr. Secretary, if that is true, then how can you commit4840that the veterans who were not eligible for care that is4841unrelated to toxic exposures will not have their care cutoff or4842limited because of the $18 billion, dollar decrease to funds?4843    Secretary Collins. Because just as we look at our budgets4844and we do take the monies that are coming in, we're going to4845meet the needs of the veterans who come before us.4846    Senator Murray. Well, I find it really challenging to think4847that you can take $18 billion out of general medical care, put4848it into the TEF fund, and I have no problems with the TEF fund4849as long as we live by the limitations. But that is care that4850other veterans will not see.4851    And let me just ask you--Mr. Chairman, if I have time one4852final question. I have repeatedly raised concerns over the4853direction VA is taking with the research program. And now it4854was reported that VA officials are ordering physicians and4855scientists to not publish their work without seeking approval4856from Trump's political appointees.4857    According to a VA official, this policy is specifically in4858place to prevent, ``negative national exposure.'' So, Mr.4859Secretary, if a research finding would advance veterans health4860but does not align with the Administration priorities, will you4861allow it to be published?4862    Secretary Collins. I not familiar with the question you4863have. I am not going to answer a hypothetical, but I don't4864foresee anything. We've not done anything to restrict our4865researchers in going forward.4866    Senator Murray. Well, this is on your website.4867    Secretary Collins. Okay. We're not restricting our4868researchers. I mean, I don't know how else to answer the4869question.4870    Senator Murray. If you are ordering physicians and4871scientists to not publish their work without seeking approval,4872you can answer that in a forced way by saying yes, of course,4873we're not going to say no.4874    Secretary Collins. That had nothing to, I think we're if at4875best, and I'm not even sure this is at best, but I'm going to4876reach here and say this is also discussing a policy that had4877nothing to do with research and publishing research. It had a4878media----talking to media on other issues. But I'm happy to4879take this and see what you're actually discussing. But nothing4880has changed as far as we know. So, no, the researchers can do4881their research.4882    Senator Murray. But then, I--all researchers? You will not4883deny a researcher that shows that this whatever helps veterans?4884    Secretary Collins. Again, hypotheticals. We can go down all4885that. I can't answer a question if we don't have an exact end4886to a question, this researcher or that researcher.4887    Senator Murray. I'm sorry--that arbitrarily you're going to4888say no to any kind of that leaves me very curious about how4889you're going to move forward on research.4890    Secretary Collins. At this point, I'm not saying either4891way, Senator. I'm sitting here saying that we're not4892restricting it.4893    Senator Murray. Thank you, Mr. Chair.4894    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Chair Collins.4895    Senator Collins. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.4896Welcome, Mr. Secretary. Maine has one of the highest4897percentages of veterans in the entire country, something about4898which we are very proud. We are also one of the most rural4899states in the country. So, the work done by the Office of Rural4900Health is essential in our state and other rural states. The VA4901received $15 million in fiscal year 2025 to support the Highly4902Rural Transportation Grant program, yet many rural veterans in4903Maine still lack options for getting themselves to the VA4904Medical Center in Augusta.4905    Just to give you an example, from my hometown of Caribou,4906Maine, it is an eight-hour, 500-mile round trip to drive to get4907to the Togas hospital, the VA hospital in Augusta and back.4908Current rules are really strange. They limit the eligibility to4909counties with fewer than seven people per square mile.4910    Now, even in one of the most rural states in the country,4911Maine, that means that only one county, Piscataquis County, of4912our 16 counties, is eligible to receive a grant. So, I joined4913with several of my colleagues to introduce a bipartisan bill4914that would change this formula and expand eligibility for this4915grant program. Do you think that this is a bill that you could4916work with us on, to make sure that our rural veterans can get4917to the VA hospital, of which we have only one in the state of4918Maine?4919    Secretary Collins. Right. And it is a beautiful state and a4920beautiful facility, Senator, it's good to see you as well. Yes.4921I've come from not as rural of an area that is as your4922beautiful state, but also my North Georgia was very rural as4923well. I think the Ranking Member will agree that, that as we4924have a say, and probably down our way, your way as well, you4925just can't get there from here. It just doesn't work. But our4926veterans need it.4927    And so, we're looking at everything from a perspective of4928how we do this. But I'll say, we, the VA supports this bill.4929There are a few amendments that we'd like to work with you on4930that we think could make it better going forward, but we4931support that. And of course, the availability of appropriations4932to make it happen.4933    Because the worst thing in the world is to have a veteran4934who can't get the help that they need and being able to do4935that. So yes, we're going to be working with you. Love to work4936with your staff, further on that, if we can find ways. I know4937Senator Murkowski as well. Alaska is a little bit rural.4938Correct?4939    Senator Murkowski. We don't have those roads.4940    [Laughter.]4941    Secretary Collins. You got the airplanes, so there we go.4942But anyway, yes, we'll be much willing to look into it with4943you.4944    Senator Collins. Thank you. The next issue I want to turn4945to are our state veterans homes. They are critical to ensuring4946that our nation's veterans have access to long-term care that4947they earned in service to our country. My own father spent the4948last part of his life at the veteran's home in Caribou. And the4949care was absolutely wonderful. In 2022, however, due to4950financial constraints, Maine actually considered closing two of4951its state's veterans' homes. One in my hometown of Caribou, the4952other in Machias, Maine.4953    Although the VA has raised its per diem rates in 2023, this4954increase has not begun to keep pace with rising costs. The VA's4955per diem for skilled nursing care in a state veteran's home is4956$262, while the rate for a private sector nursing home is $424.4957What can the VA do to provide more financial support to state4958veterans homes that are having real difficulties in meeting4959costs and even staying open?4960    Secretary Collins. Senator, this is becoming a reoccurring4961theme, I think with a lot of these questions, especially with4962our elder care from across the states as we look forward. I met4963with the state Veterans homes folks yesterday. As a matter of4964fact, they were in my office. And we were discussing these4965issues.4966    There's a lot of things out there that we're looking to4967cut. Some of the they're a partner with us, and I think4968sometimes they've not been treated probably as the partnership4969that they are. And I want to see that get better, as we look at4970it. They also bring a lot of things to the table on ideas for4971that they can do that actually enhance the veteran experience,4972that enhance the aging experience as well.4973    So, we're willing to look at the per diem rates. We're4974looking at the issues. These are all, again, budgetary4975constrictions that we have to look at. But how can we maybe4976remove some of the constrictions that have bound them in4977certain ways? Might be also another way to look at it. Maybe4978not the direct financial, but it could free up funds if they4979weren't having to do other things.4980    So that's something we're willing to look at. But I've met4981with them and continue to meet with them on an ongoing basis,4982because I think they're just a vital cog in the system of what4983we have between our private-public and then our state homes as4984well.4985    Senator Collins. Thank you. I'm delighted to learn that4986you're meeting with them personally. I think that it's really4987important, they play such a critical role. And what I noticed4988at the Veteran's Home was the devotion of the staff to serving4989veterans and the programming that they had on special days,4990like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July. It truly made me4991feel so good about the care that was being provided.4992    Secretary Collins. Well, it was great. The state home folks4993from New York we actually had, and we were all over, had New4994York there yesterday, had Vermont, we had Tennessee and Idaho4995was all there representing. I know they were up here probably4996on the Hill as well. But look, it's just a mosaic of how we4997need to take care of those in our--especially our elderly4998veterans from my perspective, and how we provide that service4999working in partnerships. And we're re-strengthening our state5000partnerships, our local partnerships across the board. And I5001think that's going to pay off well.5002    Senator Collins. I'm almost out of time, but I do want to5003mention that the Elizabeth Dole Act authorized a pilot program5004to look at providing VA funded assisted living services to5005veterans. And this is supposed to be located in two5006geographically diverse service networks to include facilities5007that are serving rural or highly rural veterans and state5008veterans homes.5009    This is small in scope, but it's created a great deal of5010excitement among veterans who rely on long-term care5011facilities. What are your thoughts on expanding VA funded long-5012term care initiatives, and when will the VA initiate the pilot5013programs created in the Elizabeth Dole Act?5014    Secretary Collins. Thanks, Senator. As far as an actual5015date on initiating, I'll have to get back on that specific5016program. But just in general, on the Elizabeth Dole Act, which5017was brought in at the start, we're looking at that is 51 of the5018implementations on track, 10 have been fully implemented, 9 are5019behind schedule. There are some funding challenges we're having5020to look at that. A couple not started, so 72 total.5021    So, we're moving down the road on getting that implemented.5022We believe it is a good thing. And we've worked with the former5023Senator as well--she is, the Dole Foundation has been great.5024And continue to probably look to you for help as far as funding5025issues on this as well.5026    Senator Collins. Thank You.5027    Senator Boozman. Senator Gillibrand.5028    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.5029    Secretary Collins, in March, I wrote you a letter about the5030impact that the Trump Administration's return-to-office policy,5031which makes it harder for veterans to receive mental5032healthcare. Because of this policy, many VA psychiatrists and5033therapists were forced to conduct sensitive telehealth5034appointments from crowded offices, violating ethics regulations5035and standards of care.5036    Do you agree that veterans in need of mental health care5037deserve easily accessible treatment, from qualified5038professionals with a guarantee of confidentiality?5039    Secretary Collins. Every veteran, no matter what their care5040is, deserves the best treatment they can. But any of our5041telehealth workers or anybody that was treating or even talking5042to someone in a facility like that, was going against our5043policy and shouldn't have been in that position to start with.5044    And if you have specifics, we would love to address that5045because the supervisors know that should have not been done.5046That was against our policy.5047    Senator Gillibrand. Okay. I will give you more details and5048facts to see how to remedy that.5049    Secretary Collins. Thank you.5050    Senator Gillibrand. Are you hearing anything about harms5051related to the return to office policy, with regard to space,5052specifically for mental health practitioners?5053    Secretary Collins. No, we've actually--what we're doing is5054there's a lot--just because of space in some of the buildings/5055facilities over the past few years has been gone. So, there's a5056lot that we still have not brought back in, and we're exempting5057certain areas. If they can't come back in, we're exempting5058those, because again, if it's in the policy we're going to make5059sure the policy's followed, and if it's not, I want to know5060that. So right now, it's working.5061    There's still a lot out there left to be done. But we we're5062making this adjustment because we want the best healthcare. We5063also want the employees to have the best workplace.5064    Senator Gillibrand. Well, I would urge you to look5065specifically for the mental health providers because when they5066can do offer their counseling services from home, it's entirely5067confidential. There's no one in the cubicle next to them.5068There's no one overhearing the problems.5069    Secretary Collins. Yes. And I agree with that. And as5070someone who is a chaplain in the military, who's5071confidentiality issues I've known a lot before look, we believe5072that it's best served in a facility such as a hospital, which5073is secure. I'm not going to question anyone's home environment,5074but also, there is a possibility there at home if it's not5075secure, you have anybody walking in, family or others coming5076into that as well.5077    So, we believe that the best places for them is in a VA5078facility working in tandem. So, I agree with you, we want to do5079that. But we also need to make sure it's not just in an5080employee convenience, but it's also best for the veteran as5081well.5082    Senator Gillibrand. Right. So, then you should do a full5083analysis of your space allotments for mental health. Because as5084a chaplain, you wouldn't expect to be giving people faith5085advice, when someone can overhear your whole conversation.5086    Secretary Collins. And that's why in fact, we've done that.5087I'll be happy to have our staff come and show you what we have5088done on our office space environment, what has been done across5089the country, or what space are available and not available. And5090like I said, any place you have Senator and I want you to know5091this, right?5092    Senator Gillibrand. We've heard many, many reports.5093    Secretary Collins. If there's a--someone brings forth5094something that is, well--then, please bring it to us because5095that's against policy and I can't go against that.5096    Senator Gillibrand. So, in addition to us getting you5097facts, I would like you to prepare a letter for this committee,5098about what is the staffing that you have allotted for mental5099health and what is the office construction for mental health5100providers in your major facilities. I can't ask you to do for5101every facility across the United States, but if you could pick5102a few that would be helpful, so that we as a committee can5103understand why this is an impediment to the health that our5104veterans need.5105    Secretary Collins. Okay. We'll definitely do that. I'll5106tell you what would be great to have, I'll have someone back5107from my office come by in your office to just tell exactly what5108you're looking for. We'll make sure we can see if we can----5109    Senator Gillibrand. But I'd like it for the whole5110committee, a letter for the committee.5111    Secretary Collins. And we'll do it for everybody, but if5112you can just sort of clarify that. Because like I said, and let5113me just emphasize here, just for clarity, there should be no5114area, even if you've gotten these complaints. I think the5115problem is this hearing complaint that could be rectified the5116day you get the complaint.5117    I mean, if there's actually something to be said about5118this, not just, I don't like it, or there's just a convenience5119issue, but if there's actual real issues with a5120confidentiality, there's an issue with this space, then we need5121to know about that because it's not what's been reported up.5122And everyone is supposed to be reporting issues that they have.5123    And believe me, we've had a ton of issues that we've had to5124work through. That's why not everybody has come back in, and5125we're taking it case by case, and we are providing exemptions5126where need be.5127    Senator Gillibrand. Okay. In the VA's fiscal year 20265128Budget Highlights submitted to Congress, you provide a broad5129outline for how $52.7 billion requested by the VA for the Toxic5130Exposure Fund would be used if fully appropriated. Could you5131please go into greater detail about how the VA intends to use5132this funding for the Toxic Exposure Fund?5133    Secretary Collins. We will be providing the committee much5134more in depth on that. That is, as you know, the delay in the5135year, and we talked about this with the Chairman and the5136Ranking Member earlier. We'll be providing more of that to come5137after this and be happy to discuss it further.5138    Senator Gillibrand. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.5139    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Murkowski.5140    Senator Murkowski. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Secretary5141Collins, welcome.5142    To follow on Senator Collins' comments about our rural5143veterans, you kind of pointed out that Alaska's in that same5144bucket. I'm just going to say we're bigger, we're better, we're5145just more complicated, as you know. And we're very proud to5146host more veterans per capita in Alaska than anywhere else out5147there.5148    And so, how we do outreach to our rural veterans has long5149been a challenge. You and I have had an opportunity to talk5150about that. But it's everything from traveling the long5151distances, we're not going to be able to put that veteran in a5152car. More likely than not, it's going to be travel that5153requires flying. It may be trying to access them through5154telehealth. But when you have limited broadband, that's a5155problem.5156    Then, we have shortages of local healthcare providers. So,5157it's complicated in many ways. But all of our veterans deserve5158this care, and I think we recognize that. So, know that I along5159with Senator Collins, am very interested in any strategies that5160you are looking to advance, to maintain and expand services in5161our rural communities.5162    I have talked about establishing an outreach program that5163would send teams to rural areas that are off the road system,5164to just kind of let them know about their benefits, about the5165services that are made available. We can't necessarily do5166everything, but we can at least let you know, this is what your5167VA can do for you. And I would hope that you'd work with us to5168support that kind of an event.5169    Secretary Collins. I definitely would and, if you'd allow5170me to expand just a minute on that. I think this is one of the5171issues that--I want us to break out of the model in many ways.5172And I say this in a very generic fashion. I want us to break5173out the model that everything has to be the way we've always5174done it.5175    Senator Murkowski. Right.5176    Secretary Collins. We have to go to a brick and mortar. We5177have to go to this, where there's a clinic.5178    One of the things, and it just highlighted recently, we had5179to close our ambulatory clinic. And this is not a rural issue,5180but it sort of applies to the issue. We had to close our5181ambulatory clinic in LA, because of the riots and other things5182going on in LA. We had interrupted almost 1800 appointments.5183And some were telehealth, some we were able to move to others.5184    But for the most part, we had folks who aren't getting5185care. Very familiar if you were in the middle of a rural state5186or Alaska or anywhere else, you're not getting it. So, we were5187already beginning to see how we could bring in mobile clinics5188and others, even in that area, in a safe area, where our5189appointments could be kept.5190    So, for me, if we have those kinds of resources, can we do5191those in states such as Alaska and others, instead of always5192just defaulting to something, as you said, like a telehealth5193model or a visiting doctor. Maybe have regular roundabouts like5194we have, that have our health teams go out with these mobile5195vehicles that could actually do and provide primary care and5196others.5197    And of course, if they need to go elsewhere, we could do5198that. I'm willing to think outside the box to do that. It could5199work in a very rural state. It could work in a state like, you5200know, New York, Georgia, anywhere else. The other thing----5201    Senator Murkowski. If I can interrupt on that. Just you've5202kind of picked my brain. We provide, or there are some non-5203profits and some for-profits that provide, mobile mammography5204units that go out, you put them on a barge, you go up the5205river. It has provided access to women in rural parts of the5206state that would never be able to get this kind of screening.5207You can do that kind of teaming. But you do have to be willing5208to think outside the box a little bit. And I appreciate that5209you're looking into that. Let me ask you here about the tribal5210health side.5211    Secretary Collins. Ok.5212    Senator Murkowski. I'm pleased that IHS and VA have entered5213into a reimbursement agreement as we're trying to figure out5214how we access some of the unique challenges in VA services.5215    Office of Tribal Government Relations. This is an office5216that has proven to be important. I would like to know if you5217think that that government relations office will continue. And5218then the VA Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs,5219this is another VA advisory body. This is under review.5220    Know that the committee really does play a vital role in5221ensuring that Native voices are represented when VA policies5222are developed. We think that it's good, it helps to advance5223culturally competent care, strengthens tribal consultation, and5224helps the VA fulfill its commitment.5225    So, I don't know if you can give me an update on the5226current status of this committee, and whether its work will5227continue uninterrupted. And then if you can share with me5228whether or not you think the Office of Tribal Government5229Relations will continue.5230    Secretary Collins. Yes. That's a yes to both. They're both5231going to be continuing and also, we're continuing to outreach5232as well through--and as I said earlier, we're making sure our5233intergovernmental offices, working with different organizations5234is strengthening. We brought in our caseload to make sure that5235we're reaching out to states, tribes, and others to--that is5236being a part of what we do. So, they're both increasing.5237    And also, I'm looking forward to being, I think, if my5238schedule if they've told me correctly, I'll be up there in5239October, I think around some of these issues that'll be going5240on with the tribes.5241    Senator Murkowski. Great. Hopefully you're coinciding or5242you're scheduling that trip to coincide with the Alaska5243Federation of Natives conference in October.5244    Secretary Collins. I believe it is, yes.5245    Senator Murkowski. That's great. Mr. Chairman, I've got a5246couple questions that I'm going to submit for the record. One5247is on the roof of the Palmer Pioneer Home. I can't let a5248hearing go by without mentioning that, as well as the5249Electronic Health Record roll out. As you know, the Alaska VA5250system is going to get the rollout of this technology in 2026.5251There's a lot of people anxious about that because previous5252rollouts have not exactly been fun. So, you will see those5253questions submitted for the record.5254    Secretary Collins. I look forward to that and maybe later5255on we'll discuss that and I look forward. Electronic Health5256Record is very important.5257    Senator Murkowski. That'd be excellent. Yes, it sure is.5258Thank you, Mr. Chairman.5259    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Baldwin.5260    Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good to have you5261here, Secretary Collins.5262    Secretary Collins. It's good to see you, Senator.5263    Senator Baldwin. I want you to be aware that in 2014, Jason5264Simcakoski of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, tragically died at a VA5265hospital due to a physician prescribing deadly amounts of5266opioids to treat his pain. Jason's loss led to the passage of5267the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act, a law to put in5268place standards and safeguards for providers who manage5269veterans chronic or acute pain.5270    So, Mr. Secretary, do you agree that veterans deserve to5271have access to safe and comprehensive pain management?5272    Secretary Collins. Yes, Senator.5273    Senator Baldwin. I'm glad you agree.5274    Secretary Collins. Yeah, I do. And that's an easy one5275because, and also as we talked in your office, that Jason's5276Law, and also being specifically named in the budget, is5277important to us as well and we'll continue to do that.5278    Senator Baldwin. Yes, indeed. So, do you agree that5279ensuring this access for veterans is a critical part of the5280VA's mission to care for those who have served our nation?5281    Secretary Collins. Of course. In any activity--can I say5282something on this, because I think, and you brought this up,5283and it means a lot to you, and it means a lot to me as well. As5284part of the question that was asked earlier, we were discussing5285the death by suicide issue. And my concern, and I've heard this5286from----5287    Senator Baldwin. I have questions on that too.5288    Secretary Collins. Yes. And maybe I can help here. Because5289one of the questions that comes, and we're hearing this a lot5290from veterans, because I do go to town halls. I also do work5291and take questions from the field on this. And there is a large5292concern of medication and unfortunately going straight to5293medication and unfortunately, in some of these cases, instead5294of maybe other things that work such as counseling or non-5295opioid kind of issues. So, this is something important to me.5296It's something I want to continue to see us get away from.5297    Senator Baldwin. But that was the power of Jason's Law, was5298that there was a retraining of all prescribers in the VA, about5299the addictive nature of opiates. Lots of people go through5300their training, their medical training, and others, with very5301little emphasis on this. And that's beginning to change and the5302VA took a lead. And I want to make sure that commitment is5303still there.5304    In fact, Mr. Secretary, Jason's Law has saved lives. The VA5305has seen a 67 percent decline in prescription rates of opioids5306over the last decade due to the diligent efforts to implement5307both Jason's Law and the broader Comprehensive Addiction and5308Recovery Act of 2016.5309    But I want to talk about the focus at the same time that5310we're seeing staff reductions. So, the law requires each VA5311medical facility to have a pain management team. A recent5312Inspector General report identifies the need for additional5313oversight and coordination from the office that manages this5314program, and also describes obstacles to hiring pain management5315staff, including delays in the hiring process.5316    So, Mr. Secretary, I want to ask for your commitment to5317work with me and this committee to improve veterans access to5318safe and effective pain management. But I'm struggling to see5319how that will be possible given your request to reduce staff by5320over 2,000 in the fiscal year 2026 budget, and your earlier5321comments that total staff at the VA may be reduced by 155322percent.5323    You've insisted that clinicians will not be impacted by5324your staffing cuts at the VA. But the 83,000 staff you plan to5325eliminate will have to be drawn from program staff, oversight5326staff, administrative staff, and other support personnel.5327    So, Mr. Secretary, how do you plan to continue to make5328progress on the implementations of programs such as Jason's5329Law, and how do you plan to protect veterans' rights to safe5330and effective pain management, if you intend to reduce the5331administrative staff who run these programs?5332    Secretary Collins. Well, Senator, I appreciate the concern.5333I think it's about who we do--and I think this is the issue5334here, and I've said this all along, not in this committee5335because I haven't had a chance to be here before. The 83,0005336number is if you put out anything from an administrative5337perspective was a total look, by the way which right now, there5338is nothing going on in RIF as far as this goes. It has been--5339the courts have held that up and we're fulfilling our--we're5340not doing anything in regard to RIF, and no one has been let5341go.5342    The issue here is you've brought up several issues that I5343have. This is direct care and oversight and management of our5344patients. This is something we've always said it's not a part5345of anything that we're looking at to get rid of, because it5346actually makes a difference in the lives of veterans. You've5347made that very clear and I've made that very clear as well.5348    So, again, part of the issue here is when you look at a5349restructuring, and I'm not sure, and I've listened to this, to5350the bodies up here, and I've been a part of it, I don't think5351anybody would say, because I have both sides of the aisle5352saying we need to be more efficient at the VA, there needs to5353be you know, better use of our money. All of that has been true5354in all the things we're saying.5355    But I've also made the commitment, because we've exempted5356350,000 positions at this point that are not even discussed in5357any of the things that we're actually looking at for direct5358patient care. So, you have my commitment that we're going to5359continue to make sure these jobs are protected.5360    And I do want to, I know we we're out of time here, but I5361just wanted to take one last thing. I'm also struggling with5362the issue of hiring. Not in the sense of hiring freezes or5363anything else, because doctors and all these can be hired right5364now, we can get that done. Part of our issue is twofold. Number5365one, we have a very onerous process of bringing people on as5366compared to private and public medical centers. We've got to5367get better at that. I've talked to our VHA folks about that.5368That is one of the things that we've got to do.5369    The other issue, and from the Chairman, Ranking Member, and5370anybody else here, we have a real issue on our caps for doctor5371and nurse and other pay. This is something I need--I'm bringing5372as a secretary, but also someone who served, I need us to look5373at that, because it is very much affecting in markets such as5374growing markets of Georgia, Florida, Texas, others.5375    I mean, I have professionals who can go down the street5376basically and have $3-$400,000 starting salaries. It's hard to5377compete in those kinds of environments. So, I'm very5378sympathetic to what we're having here and what we're having to5379do and get this. So, I would love to partner with you to5380continue this process because I do believe we're--opioid hit5381very hard in my state and very much in my Congressional5382district at the time. And so, it's something that's very much I5383want to continue to work with you on.5384    Senator Baldwin. I would just add one comment about the5385recruitment and retention of physicians and nurses. You know,5386I've heard from a lot of the VA practitioners in my state, that5387when they begin to be doing the jobs of several others who have5388been dismissed, nurses doing the work of CNAs, and if they want5389to start an IV, having to also do the logistics of getting the5390IV pole and the IV. They're doing the work of several people5391beyond the additional overtime implications of their job. And5392so, working conditions as well as salaries need to be looked5393at. You don't have to comment. I just wanted you to hear that5394from me.5395    Secretary Collins. No, I need to and I appreciate that,5396Senator, but I need to comment because it's not been let go.5397We're not firing anyone. So, for them to say that----5398    Senator Baldwin. You're firing the people underneath who5399support them.5400    Secretary Collins. No, we're not firing anybody. I mean,5401it's not from RIF, it's not from any--if they're being fired,5402they're being fired for a cause issue in the facility they're5403at. We're not----5404    Senator Baldwin. They're let go, and I'm talking to the5405nurses----5406    Secretary Collins. But they're not from things we've done.5407    Senator Baldwin. Since you started.5408    Secretary Collins. No, I mean, tell me where they were, but5409it's not happening. I mean, the RIF was, this RIF has been5410stopped----5411    Senator Baldwin. I'd be happy to follow-up with you with5412the examples.5413    Secretary Collins. If they've taken early retirement,5414that's not firing.5415    Senator Baldwin. They're not there. And so, you have to5416face that in order to keep your nurses and doctors who aren't5417being supported.5418    Secretary Collins. Ok. I apprediate that. Senator, I'll be5419happy to work with you, but there's no one being fired. They5420may have left for other reasons, but they're not being fired.5421    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Peters.5422    Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary,5423welcome to the committee.5424    I want to follow-up on Senator Murkowski. She brought up an5425issue concern in Alaska, that was at the end of her time. But I5426want to bring up the beginning of my time.5427    In December of last year, the VA announced that it was5428beginning work to deploy the Electronic Health Record or EHR5429system to four Michigan facilities, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek,5430Detroit, and Saginaw, in mid-2026. That announcement came, as5431you know, after an 18-month pause in EHR deployments, during5432which the VA made some critical improvements to the system.5433    During that period, veteran trust in the VA healthcare5434facilities where EHR had already been deployed increased,5435outages in the ER system dramatically decreased. And the number5436of interruptions for clinicians also decreased.5437    I reacted with some nervousness then when the VA announced5438in March that it would complete deployment of EHR at an5439additional 9 facilities next year, bringing the total to 13.5440The announcement came just after it was reported that VA plans5441to cut 80,000 employees in the coming months, as well. Mr.5442Secretary, EHR deployment has been a complex endeavor. You now5443plan to deploy it across 13 facilities next year, including5444four in Michigan. And all this will happen during a planned5445downsizing of VA's workforce.5446    How will you ensure that outages, slowdowns, and5447disruptions to veterans' care will not occur once again under5448this new EHR deployment plan?5449    Secretary Collins. Thank you, Senator. And I'm glad to have5450your state being the tip of the spear on this reorganization.5451If you would allow me, and I'll try to do this very quickly.5452I've been told that I talk fast, but let me talk real fast5453here.5454    What happened when I got there was, I took a complete5455shutdown of this program. The previous Administration, for5456whatever reason, I'll leave it with them, it just shut down the5457system, and they were not moving forward. When I came in, I5458promised the committee when I was confirmed that this will be5459something we're going to look at.5460    So, really what I did was my first week I took our staff5461that were working on this, Dr. Neil Evans, had been the head of5462it for a long time. We sat them down and I said, okay, what's5463the problems? The next day, I brought in Oracle, who is5464handling the implementation here. And I sat down, okay, so5465what's the problems, where we can do this? There were5466differences of opinion.5467    The next week, I set them both down, basically had a match,5468in which they went at each other complaining because they never5469were talking directly to each other. After that meeting, I5470said, we're going to start standardization. We're going to look5471at other things to make this clear.5472    We had, I believe it was eight committees on our side that5473everybody had to go through to get approval to do a5474standardization or something, dealing with the health records,5475which caused delays, caused cost overruns, and caused what we5476saw in Washington State, in which we have six facilities that5477are basically not functional.5478    They then got in a room, and this is our professionals, our5479careers, and their and Oracle's folks, and they got in a room5480for two days and they spent nothing but how do we do this? And5481how do we plan?5482    And what happened was, is we come back from our position5483and say like, standardization, we're going to take the Oracle5484standardization for coding and those kinds of things, and we5485had about a 10 percent gap to where VA would have our5486uniqueness, which we have that other hospitals don't.5487    What they came up with, not I, or anybody else, but that5488committee and this group of high level from Oracle and from us5489said, here's what we can add. That's how this is going to go5490about.5491    That's why the funding for this is so vitally important5492because I can't emphasize enough if we do not transform this5493system, it hurts our community care process, because our5494doctors cannot communicate with the community, our doctors5495internally--if we go back to what Senator Baldwin and I were5496talking about, retention, you're using a system that's costing5497us literally hundreds of millions of dollars that's used5498nowhere else in the world except the VA.5499    So, we need to move forward on this. I do believe we have a5500fact that is safe, that is effective and will be cost effective5501because Oracle understands that they've got to provide this.5502They're now in the position of a vendor again and not anything5503else. So, I apologize for the longer answer, but I needed you5504to hear it.5505    Senator Peters. That's good. But we do want to have more5506efficiency, but you have to make sure we don't have undue5507disruptions. Last month in my role as a Ranking Member of the5508Senate, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I5509released a report showing that the 19 Inspector Generals fired5510earlier this year by President Trump identified billions of5511dollars more in potential savings to taxpayers than the5512Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. They did a much5513better job of what DOGE did, and yet they were fired.5514    The report found that the VA IG, Michael Missal, before5515being fired, had over six and a half billion dollars in5516monetary impact and the potential for nearly 1.7 billion more5517in savings if the VA were to implement all open recommendations5518from the VA OIG. That's a 28 to 1 return on investment, one of5519the highest ROIs of IGs all across government.5520    VA OIG successes are widespread. And just as one example,5521along with the Michigan Attorney General, the VA OIG5522investigated an individual who was ordered to pay back nearly a5523half a million dollars for posing as the spouse of multiple5524deceased veterans and fraudulently attained benefits. So, Mr.5525Secretary, I think we can agree that this is in the taxpayer's5526interest to continue to implement these recommendations.5527    Will you commit today to doing all in your power to5528continue to implement the remaining open recommendations from5529the VA OIG, and encourage the IG'S office to continue each of5530the investigations that were ongoing when the IG was fired by5531President Trump?5532    And turning to the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, I'm5533certainly disappointed to see you're going to cut the IGs by 105534percent. And I would hope that you understand how important5535that office is to reducing fraud, waste, and abuse. So, if you5536could address both of those issues.5537    Secretary Collins. Yeah, we look forward to working with5538them and they'll have the adequate resources to do what they5539need. And I look forward to continue working with them, I made5540that clear in the Acting. We have a regular meeting with the5541IG, and we're going to implement the proposals, because again,5542to be efficient and to be a part of this system, we need to be5543it. So, you have my commitment to continue.5544    Senator Peters. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.5545    Senator Boozman. Thank you. Senator Hagerty.5546    Senator Hagerty. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking5547Member Ossoff. And Secretary Collins, welcome. Let's turn the5548mic on, that might help a little bit.5549    Secretary, as Members of Congress, we've had an obligation5550to uphold promises made to America's service members, the men5551and women who have protected our nation and defended our5552freedoms through their courageous service and tremendous5553sacrifice. While many issues demand our intention, few of them5554are as important as the responsibility that we owe to our5555veterans.5556    I hear regularly from veterans in Tennessee and their5557families, and I suspect you're hearing the same thing5558nationally, that the transition to civilian life is still too5559often plagued by inadequate support, bureaucratic delays, and5560frankly, a failure to deliver high quality care. This5561committees has consistently increased the funding for the VA,5562demonstrating our deep commitment to veterans.5563    However, and despite years of increased funding for the VA,5564the investment often fails to meet expectations. Wait times are5565too long, care quality varies and bureaucratic hurdles have5566only gotten worse, not better.5567    Secretary Collins, I appreciate your acknowledgement that5568reform is necessary. You and I would agree that making5569targeted, pragmatic cuts to wasteful and non-critical VA5570services, without compromising direct benefits or quality of5571care, is both necessary and achievable.5572    And let me be clear, these goals are not mutually5573exclusive. Supporting our veterans requires more than just5574throwing funding at the Department year after year. It requires5575accountability, effective leadership, and real results. Every5576dollar appropriated should translate into real improvements for5577those who are served.5578    For far too long, veterans have asked for the VA that's5579more efficient, more accountable, and more transparent. And I5580think it's past time that we deliver on that promise. We must5581build a system that works for veterans, not against them. I5582want to thank you for your leadership and your commitment to5583the critical mission of strengthening the VA.5584    Mr. Secretary, you've been in position now several months,5585but could you just walk me through what you saw your first day5586on the job, in terms of how veterans were being treated?5587    Secretary Collins. I think at the core, the veterans.5588Senator, I appreciate you and our relationship, that of working5589together----I think what we've seen is a veterans' employees5590that want to do a good job. I think that's the overwhelming5591sentiment. I think over time though, any organization that5592becomes a little more focused on its own organization loses5593track of its mission. And that's why I say we put veterans5594first, not the organization.5595    Senator Hagerty. Yes.5596    Secretary Collins. And you made it clear in your statement5597right there, that just oftentimes funds and people are not the5598solutions to the problem. It's the organizational processes.5599    Just to show you, and Chairman, this is something I've5600mentioned before, about a little over a week into the job, I5601asked for a headcount of our employees. Our HR person couldn't5602give me one.5603    Senator Hagerty. You've got to be kidding me.5604    Secretary Collins. It took a week and a half to get a head5605count. And we didn't have it.5606    Senator Hagerty. That's amazing.5607    Secretary Collins. About a week or so later, we were trying5608to double check this, and we went to payroll and said, okay,5609well, we at least can find out from payroll how many we're5610paying. They came back with a number of 230,000. Well,5611obviously right off the top of the head, that's not the number5612we have.5613    And so, come to find out, is when it was supposed to all be5614consolidated, and I think this committee and SVAC committee and5615others would've known this, when it's supposed to be5616consolidated, there was a permissive attitude that if you don't5617want to consolidate, that's okay. And we had about 605618facilities that were still doing their own payroll, which5619accounted for almost half of our employees.5620    Senator Hagerty. Wow.5621    Secretary Collins. So when we discuss issues like this, and5622I know it's been a lot of discussion today about employees and5623reorganization, the question is, we have hundreds of employees5624doing jobs in our individual hospitals and other areas like for5625payroll, for contracting, for HR services, stuff that are5626important, but do not have to be done, as you know, from your5627business experience, are probably wasted in the sense of how5628we're doing that in an individualized, siloed setup.5629    So, this is what we found when we came in. I want to use5630every dollar that this committee and this Congress gives us to5631help our veterans. But what we don't need to do is continue to5632propagate a system in which we've not seen the results that we5633need.5634    Senator Hagerty. You've been to my home state of Tennessee.5635    Secretary Collins. Yes.5636    Senator Hagerty. And even within my home state, we have a5637huge disparity, in terms of the way our VA facilities are run5638and operated and the efficiency with which they're operated.5639And that disparity manifests itself in one of the lowest5640performing, maybe the lowest performing system in your lowest5641performing VA hospital in your system, versus one of the5642highest performing.5643    And I can see that you're working on finding opportunities5644to standardize on best observed practices, to utilize basic5645business principles to bring up the standard of care across the5646nation. I'd love to hear you comment just a little bit more5647about your operational focus and your priorities as you address5648that.5649    Secretary Collins. Well, the operational focus is doing5650whatever it takes to take care of veterans and cutting down the5651bureaucracy. And I was saying earlier, I've been to almost 505652of our facilities, probably over close to 15 or 16 of our5653VAMCs, our hospitals, or more there. And what we're finding is5654everybody gets in a rut. It's just like in Senate; it's just5655like in the House. It's like in any job you get into a rut of5656doing the same thing the same way all the time.5657    And so, I'm encouraging them to find new ways. I've told5658all of our senior leadership teams, when I go in the directors5659and others, I say, look, you are senior leaders. I need you 55660percent of the time or 10 percent of your time thinking about5661ways to improve your facilities. That's a whole different way5662of thinking. They've just sort of been isolated on their own.5663    I think now, if we're able to give them that encouragement5664to be leaders and if we're calling them senior leaders, and5665paying them to be senior leaders, and putting them in charge,5666they need to be senior leaders. And which means that they hold5667accountable their employees, they hold accountable to their5668budgets.5669    And it's why you see in your state that you have different5670discrepancies in facilities. You're not the only state that has5671that. I can name at least one to two more states, just off the5672top of my head, that within relatively a hundred miles, you5673have two facilities that are operated completely different.5674    I'm trying to bring a VA mindset that says all of our 170-5675plus VAMCs, our hospitals are VA hospitals, they're not5676individual hospitals. They're VA, they can combine the power of5677the VA, combine our resources, combine our greatness, and be5678better for our veterans.5679    Senator Hagerty. Well, you used the word leadership and I5680applaud that. I applaud your leadership. You mentioned the5681employees, the vast majority of them wanting to do the best5682possible job they can. And by empowering your local leadership5683to do just that, to focus on the right things. I very much5684applaud that focus and effort, and thank you for making certain5685that our veterans are treated with the respect that they5686deserve. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.5687    Senator Boozman. Thank you. I just want to follow-up on one5688thing, and then Senator Ossoff has a few things he'd like to5689ask. But in regard to the EHRM, which I know is so important to5690you and something you're really focusing on, which we all5691appreciate. You've been a battle of that for many years, like5692the rest of us. But I understand that your budget request is5693going to be about three and a half billion dollars.5694    Secretary Collins. Yes.5695    Senator Boozman. The House is marking up to $2.5 billion.5696So, there's a pretty good delta there. If you wind up with a5697billion dollars less, what's that going to do as far as5698implementation, site selection, potential cost overrun in the5699future, if we don't go forward and get this thing done?5700    Secretary Collins. It could slow it down as it has now.5701We've already wasted billions of dollars on this project to5702start with. Anything going further would just exasperate that5703problem.5704    Senator Boozman. Good to know. I just wanted an official,5705from the Secretary.5706    Secretary Collins. Again, we've been very blessed with the5707budget, the President's increase. But this is an issue and I5708understand the hesitancy here. I get it. Ok, this started when5709I was still in Congress. It's been here for as long as you5710have, and we've wasted billions of dollars and we've had six5711sites opened.5712    So again, we want to continue to make it happen, but to do5713that, we need to finish the job because there's not an easy fix5714to just say, okay, we're not going to do this. We're going to5715do that. There's no easy fix here at this point, but I think5716we've got a good path moving forward.5717    Senator Boozman. Very good. Senator Ossoff.5718    Senator Ossoff. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.5719    Mr. Secretary, first of all, Dublin. You and I discussed5720Dublin yesterday.5721    Secretary Collins. Yes.5722    Senator Ossoff. And as you're aware, predating your tenure,5723very significant sterilization failures that led to the5724potential exposure of thousands of Georgia veterans to5725bloodborne diseases. And indeed, some of those who may have5726been exposed later tested positive for HIV and Hepatitis. In5727March of this year, the Inspector General conducted an5728additional inspection of facilities at Dublin and found5729continued egregious failures.5730    Can you assure the subcommittee and Georgia veterans that5731these issues at Dublin have been resolved?5732    Secretary Collins. Yes. I've actually been to Dublin. I was5733there about 2 months ago, and we've gotten a report since then,5734this was about the time, and Dr. Lieberman, who is our chief5735doctor who is over VHA, has confirmed this as well, that those5736have been replaced. The problem there was, and it's a5737conversation we just had a few minutes ago about leadership,5738and that's what we're trying to correct.5739    Right now, we're trying to get permanent leadership into5740the Dublin facility. And for those who may not know the Dublin5741facility, this is a facility, it's a great part of the state of5742Georgia. That's my sort of--I got a lot of friends and family5743down there, but it's harder to recruit down there. It's harder5744to get folks to come into that facility and want to be there5745long-term. So, we're trying to work that out because I think5746this is a leadership problem that----5747    Senator Ossoff. And forgive me, Mr. Secretary, I want to5748get to the leadership at Dublin. But just to be clear, in order5749to ensure that we're informing the public, your testimony is5750that these issues have resolved at Dublin?5751    Secretary Collins. Yes.5752    Senator Ossoff. And does that include all of the5753outstanding Inspector General recommendations that were found5754in March? The March 6th report says that there were significant5755failures to resolve previous OIG-identified deficiencies,5756failure to fully implement CensiTrac (which is an electronic5757surgical instrument tracking system), failure to address5758concerns of the CensiTrac coordinator's performance on5759implementation, failures to resolve concerns related to5760sterilization facilities.5761    Have all of the Inspector General recommendations with5762respect to Dublin sterilization, which were not yet implemented5763in March, now been implemented?5764    Secretary Collins. One moment.5765    Senator Ossoff. No problem.5766    Secretary Collins. To my understanding, yes. You and I both5767in Georgia, I'll be happy to go back and look at that again. My5768understanding is yes, Dr. Lieberman said it has. But I'll be5769happy to go back and look at that and make sure.5770    Senator Ossoff. And that same March inspection, in addition5771to the not yet completed or implemented recommendations from5772the past OIG report, again at Dublin, this is March, the OIG5773determined that sterilization and operating room staff failed5774to remove non-conforming surgical instruments from the rectal5775tray. OIG found additional surgical instruments in non-5776conforming condition.5777    And that contrary to policy, staff reprocessed and used5778nonconforming instruments at the facility, a range of other5779failures. That was in March. So, your assurance that the5780Inspector General's recommendations have been implemented is5781appreciated. And I would welcome any follow up you can provide5782as soon as possible so that we can reassure folks who are5783served by this Dublin facility that they're safe getting care5784there.5785    Secretary Collins. I will definitely do that. And not to5786give away, there's some issues that Dublin, especially with5787this, as you well know probably before your tenure as well, and5788mine as well. Dublin has had this--there's been some issues5789down there before. We're going to make sure we're staying on5790top of it. But I will again correct you. I'll get you some5791information.5792    Senator Ossoff. I think and you mentioned that at Dublin5793leadership is a major issue.5794    Secretary Collins. Yes.5795    Senator Ossoff. And as of--we got this report in May. So as5796of May 9th, we received a report that the recruitment of a new5797medical director at Dublin was on hold due to the hiring5798freeze. Now, I know you have faced substantial pushback on the5799effects of that hiring freeze. Can you confirm that you've5800changed course and you've exempted that position now from the5801hiring freeze so we can get somebody into Dublin?5802    Secretary Collins. Those are exempted, yes. As I shared5803yesterday on the phone, those are exempted, yes.5804    Senator Ossoff. Okay. And when was that exemption made?5805Because we got this on May 9th, said that recruitment of a new5806Dublin Director----5807    Secretary Collins. May 15th.5808    Senator Ossoff. May 15th. Okay. Thank you very much.5809    Secretary Collins. So that would've been after.5810    Senator Ossoff. Atlanta. Recent Inspector General report5811focused on Atlanta. This is a June 12th report on staffing5812shortages among other issues. Now, and I think you know this5813Mr. Secretary, for years, the wait times at the VA Medical5814Center in Atlanta have been driven in large part by staffing5815shortages. I've heard it from the leadership there year after5816year.5817    This Inspector General report found, as of June 12th, 2085818vacancies at the Atlanta VA, including 67 provider, 425819registered nurse, 32 licensed practical nurse, 49 medical5820support assistant, and 18 pharmacist positions short at the5821Atlanta VA. What is your goal, the date that you'd like to5822bring the Atlanta VA up to full staffing, please?5823    Secretary Collins. To hire them all. And, if you've got5824any----5825    Senator Ossoff. And by when, is my question?5826    Secretary Collins. As soon as possible. I mean there's no5827delay here, in this. And I think if we would also look at the5828Atlanta market as well in healthcare, we'd also see other at5829Piedmont, also at Northside, also at the St. Joe's and others5830having similar shortages in their staffing. Atlanta is a market5831like a lot of other markets, in which healthcare, especially5832CNAs, LPNs, or RNs, are in great demand. They're the ones that5833are controlling the market, so are doctors as well.5834    Senator Ossoff. And the wait times, as you know, in Atlanta5835are a particular issue. Of course, there are wait times at5836other facilities as well.5837    Secretary Collins. But there is nothing stopping us hiring.5838    Senator Ossoff.But I appreciate the ambition of ``as soon5839as possible,'' but I'd like to know, I mean, we'd like to work5840toward a deadline. So, can you give me a date by which you'd5841like to ensure the Atlanta VA is fully staffed?5842    Secretary Collins. Well, Senator, I think you know that5843that's not something I can give you, but I'd be happy to do a5844health fair with you. And I'd come down and you and I could5845recruit these workers.5846    Senator Ossoff. Well, I'll tell you what, why don't you.5847    Secretary Collins. I'd be happy--we'd be happy to work with5848you, I'm not trying to be funny here. I want to do this, I5849really want to.5850    Senator Ossoff. No, no, that's fine. I'd love to work with5851you to make sure we recruit those healthcare workers. What I'd5852also like you to do is to get with your staff, get with the5853VISN, get with the leadership at the Atlanta VA, and come back5854to me and the subcommittee with a date by which you believe you5855can fill those open positions. Can you do that?5856    Secretary Collins. We'll, I would definitely get the5857information to see what their goals and targets are.5858    Senator Ossoff. Well, we got to have a goal.5859    Secretary Collins. Yeah. And I agree with you. So, we'll5860get with that, and we'll see what we can.5861    Senator Ossoff. So, you'll come back with a date?5862    Secretary Collins. I'm not sure we'll get a date. I'll have5863to talk to Atlanta. I mean, we'll see what their actual5864recruitment is. Because I mean, again----5865    Senator Ossoff. That's what I'm saying. I want you to talk5866to the leadership in Atlanta, I want you to talk to VISN. I5867want to talk to your staff, and I want you to present me and5868the subcommittee with a date by which you think it's feasible5869to fill those spots.5870    Secretary Collins. I'll be happy to present you a plan, but5871also, you're also setting up a date, in which I understand5872you're trying to do, to set up a date that may or may not be5873capable, because you couldn't get the same answer from5874Northside CEO, or Piedmont CEO, or anyone else to fill theirs.5875    Senator Ossoff. I just know that deadline-driven work is5876often the most efficient and determined work.5877    Secretary Collins. I agree with you completely. I agree.5878    Senator Ossoff. And I want something that's fair to hold5879you accountable to. So, will you get a target date?5880    Secretary Collins. We'll work together to see where it's5881at.5882    Senator Ossoff. Mr. Secretary, it's not a----5883    Secretary Collins. Look, I'm not going to play the game.5884Ok?5885    Senator Ossoff. What game?5886    Secretary Collins. Because it is not a game, because5887there's no other health--there's no other facility in the world5888that will say, ``By X date we're going to definitely have5889people hired.''5890    Senator Ossoff. I didn't say you'd definitely. I'm looking5891for a goal. You don't think leadership at other healthcare5892facilities set goals when they're going to fill open medical5893slots and other personnel?5894    Secretary Collins. I think they fill them as quickly as5895they possibly can. We hire over 1,000 people a month.5896    Senator Ossoff. So, you will not present a target date?5897    Secretary Collins. I would like to have them filled by the5898end of the fiscal year, that'd be great.5899    Senator Ossoff. By the end of the Fiscal Year.5900    Secretary Collins. Now, will it be filled? I'm not going to5901say they'll be filled because there's a lot of other factors in5902there that I can't control.5903    Senator Ossoff. Mr. Secretary, and I know we're belaboring5904this, Mr. Chairman, but this isn't a gotcha. What I'm saying--5905this is just good management practice.5906    Secretary Collins. I get you.5907    Senator Ossoff. I just want to know when you believe it can5908be done. I tell you what? Let's put it that way.5909    Secretary Collins. Hopeful.5910    Senator Ossoff. No, you don't need to tell me right now.5911I'm not even trying to put you--why don't you talk to the VISN,5912talk to the facility, talk to your staff, and come back and let5913me know by when you think it can be done. Will you do that?5914    Secretary Collins. I look forward to the conversation.5915    Senator Ossoff. Yes.5916    Secretary Collins. I mean, I look forward to the5917conversation.5918    Senator Ossoff. Will you let me know?5919    Secretary Collins. You're asking for me an answer that I5920can't give you because I've not talked to the other people you5921just asked me to talk to.5922    Senator Ossoff. I'm not asking for the date, I'm asking if5923you can give me a target date.5924    Secretary Collins. Yes. We can look toward giving you a5925target, yes.5926    Senator Ossoff. Ok. That's all I needed on Atlanta, Mr.5927Secretary. Thank you.5928    Secretary Collins. Alright. Thank you5929    Senator Ossoff. I just got some additional questions about5930a letter that I sent you at the beginning of this Congress, but5931first, Augusta. WRDW, WJBF Augusta reported this month, an IG5932report that says VA Augusta leaders fostered a, ``culture of5933fear,'' with a, ``threatening and abusive communication5934style,'' and allegedly retaliated against employees who shared5935concerns.5936    I know the acting director was put on leave pending an5937investigation, and I think that's a positive step. We spoke5938yesterday, Mr. Secretary, you confirmed you were recruiting for5939leadership at both of these facilities. Can you confirm that5940it's among your highest priorities to get a permanent new5941leadership staff in at Augusta?5942    Secretary Collins. Yes, and I'm--to further elaborate5943without trying to belabor this because I know where we're at,5944but there's actually two incidents here that I'm going to5945report. The one that you just mentioned was done earlier, if5946not right before I came in. And that was the workplace issue.5947    The leadership issue, that person actually was, I called,5948``failed up,'' and was put in the VISN and administrative role.5949I made the call that we needed to put that person on5950administrative leave because if the reports had already shown5951that there was a toxic workplace, putting our veteran employees5952and our VA employees in a bad place in a workplace. So that one5953was out. That was the issue we did then.5954    So, then there's another that we tried to replace that one5955with that. Unfortunately, I can't speak in open setting for5956personnel issues and reasons here, but has been removed as5957well. And that's when, as I told you yesterday on the phone, we5958now have another acting. I think he is in now, correct? There's5959another acting in Augusta. And we are looking--to finish your5960question, I just wanted to give you the total picture--we are5961looking for permanent. That should be one of our flagship5962hospitals in our system. And so yes, we're looking for someone5963to take that permanently.5964    Senator Ossoff. Okay. Final issue, and thank you Mr.5965Chairman for indulging the questions. I sent you a letter5966February 13th, a number of members of the appropriations5967committee, asking some basic questions about DOGE engagement5968with the VA. It had 13 specific oversight questions.5969    You and I then spoke on May 6th. So, we hadn't gotten any5970kind of meaningful response. You committed to get me meaningful5971responses, still have not gotten responses to these questions.5972And I think this is an opportunity to bring transparency to an5973issue about which there's been a lot of public controversy and5974concern.5975    So, I haven't gotten answers to these questions that I5976asked and a number of members asked in February. So, I want to5977ask you now, which DOGE personnel have visited VA facilities?5978    Secretary Collins. I don't understand the question.5979    Senator Ossoff. Ok. Which DOGE personnel, so personnel who5980are acting under the auspices or authority of the Department of5981Government Efficiency, have visited, let's start with VA5982headquarters?5983    Secretary Collins. We have are you talking about our5984liaisons who actually work for the VA? We have three.5985    Senator Ossoff. I'm asking which DOGE personnel have5986visited VA headquarters?5987    Secretary Collins. The ones that work for us.5988    Senator Ossoff. Okay. What are their positions?5989    Secretary Collins. They are advisors. They're looking5990through our contracts and stuff like that.5991    Senator Ossoff. Okay. Are they still doing that?5992    Secretary Collins. Yes.5993    Senator Ossoff. Okay. Have they accessed VA patient medical5994records?5995    Secretary Collins. They are acting in their role as a5996normal VA employee would do and are authorized to do anything5997that they're currently doing. So, and I'll be happy to take5998these further for the record if you like.5999    Senator Ossoff. Well, Mr. Secretary, I asked you these6000questions on February 13th in a letter.6001    Secretary Collins. Ok.6002    Senator Ossoff. It's the end of June. I mean, you were a6003member of Congress, would that be satisfactory to you?6004    Secretary Collins. If I'm offering you a solution, yes.6005    Senator Ossoff. Well, we spoke in May----6006    Secretary Collins. And I'm offering you a solution.6007    Senator Ossoff. No, come on, Mr. Secretary. I asked you6008these questions in February. We spoke in May. You said you'd6009get me the answers. And here you're saying you'll take it for6010the record.6011    Secretary Collins. And in all fairness, you just asked me a6012question about who DOGE employees walked into my facility.6013    Senator Ossoff. A question I first asked you in February.6014    Secretary Collins. Don't tell me you're trying to be6015serious about this. I mean, what DOGE employees? I mean, again,6016Mr. Chairman----6017    Senator Ossoff. No, what I just asked you was, have DOGE6018personnel accessed the medical records of veterans in the VA6019database.6020    Secretary Collins. I'll be happy--and I have told you that6021they are acting in the roles under everything that they're6022supposed to be doing at the VA.6023    Senator Ossoff. There would be a lot less concern about6024this if the answers weren't so cagey on it all.6025    Secretary Collins. There's no cageyness to it. Any VA6026employee who has access to anything and work at the VA is6027totally responsible and trained to do what they do.6028    Senator Ossoff. Let's work together, Mr. Chairman, to get6029some clarity on this because I'm not satisfied. It's been6030months. I don't know why there is such a lack of willingness to6031engage on this topic. We will follow up. Mr. Secretary.6032    Secretary Collins. Thank you, Senator.6033    Senator Boozman. One thing that's really important, you6034mentioned the--I'm an optometrist and eye doctor, and practiced6035with nine other doctors with the surgery center. And I really6036am very familiar with the medical aspect as far as how6037difficult it is to get people right now. But it all goes back6038to your caps.6039    And as far as filling positions, these critical positions,6040leadership positions, they simply aren't going to do that6041because they work for a fraction of the pay you know, doing6042very important things at the VA. The similar roles in private6043sector, they'd probably make twice the money. That's just a6044number, but significantly more.6045    Secretary Collins. Yes.6046    Senator Boozman. So, if you would work with our staffs6047regarding a proposal with the caps, I think that would be6048really helpful.6049    Secretary Collins. Would love to.6050    Senator Boozman. And that's something that--we talk about6051deadlines and we talk about all this other stuff. This is a6052very doable thing.6053    Secretary Collins. Yes. I agree.6054    Senator Boozman. This is something that we can work6055together, and I know you're really interested in solving the6056problem, but that's the way to solve it. It's as you pointed6057out; it's a huge problem throughout not only the VA but just in6058medicine in general as we look at our major facilities6059throughout the country.6060    Secretary Collins. Yes, Chairman. I see, I hear it6061everywhere I go. And you and the ranking member, that's one of6062those that, and I've worked bipartisan in this place, I think6063that's something we could definitely work on. It would at least6064help get us to the point where we can hire better. So, I thank6065you for that, Mr. Chairman.6066    Senator Boozman. So, give us some ideas and then we'll move6067forward. Thank you so much for being here. We appreciate your6068service and dedication. And again, it's so important we work6069together to provide the care for those who defended us in6070uniform, as you are in that case also.60716072                     ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE QUESTIONS60736074    So, for members of the subcommittee, any questions for the6075record should be turned into the subcommittee staff no later6076than the close of business on Tuesday, July 1st. And as always,6077we appreciate the staffs on both sides that work so hard to6078make these things possible. With that we're adjourned.6079             Questions Submitted to Hon. Douglas A. Collins6080                Questions Submitted by Senator Jack Reed6081    Question. Rates of mental health conditions and suicide are much6082higher among Veterans than the general population. Yet, Veteran-6083specific assistance through the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline could6084be severely impacted as the Department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget6085request proposes a 17.4 percent cut to VA medical services, which6086includes the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). Is the VCL fully staffed? If6087not, how many staff positions are open and what are you doing to6088actively fill those positions?6089    Question. The VCL Presidential Budget line-item funding increased6090by 2% in FY 2026. There are currently 564 vacancies and the VCL is6091actively recruiting all vacant positions. The VCL continues to provide6092exceptional services, including an industry leading average call6093response time of less than 9 seconds and a Veteran call satisfaction6094rate of 97% (as of October 2025).6095    Question. What is the average wait time for callers to the VCL? How6096has that wait time changed since January 2025?6097    Answer. The VCL average speed of answer (ASA) for FY 2025 was 8.636098seconds. The ASA for January 2025 was 8.52 seconds. In FY 2025, VCL6099maintained an ASA of under 9 seconds.6100    Question. What is the current rate of hang-ups to VCL callers,6101before they are connected to a responder? How has the hang-up rate6102changed since January 2025?6103    Answer. The VCL abandonment rate for FY 2025 was 1.02%. The6104abandonment rate from January to September 2025 was 1.03%, with the6105lowest abandonment rate in January 2025 of 0.98% and the highest6106abandonment rate in August 2025 of 1.12%.6107    Question. About 800,000 non-elderly Veterans get care through6108Medicaid and that may be at risk with the bill Republicans are putting6109up for a vote this week in the Senate under the so-called ``One Big6110Beautiful Bill Act.'' That's to say nothing of the three million6111children of Veterans and servicemembers who are covered by Medicaid. In6112addition, I expect many caregivers of Veterans may need to go back to6113work and be unable to serve as caregiver due to the Medicaid work6114requirements or other Medicaid cuts. How does your budget request6115account for the many Veterans who may lose access to health care6116because of the massive cuts to Medicaid that President Trump and6117Congressional Republicans are proposing?6118    Answer. The 2026 President's Budget requests sufficient funding to6119meet the estimated health care needs of enrolled Veterans as of May61202025 when the FY 2026 budget was released.6121    Question. Has the VA analyzed how many caregivers of Veterans and6122family members may no longer be able to care for their loved ones?6123    Answer. Based on the information in Question 2a, VA interprets this6124question as asking about the number of caregivers of Veterans and6125family members who may no longer be able to care for their Veteran6126loved one due to returning to the workforce pursuant to changes to6127Medicaid eligibility. VA has not analyzed this and is unable to do so.6128VA does not track Medicaid eligibility of caregivers and family members6129of Veterans. VA reviews Medicaid eligibility only when such information6130is necessary for determination of eligibility for a VA program or6131service.6132    Question. Is the VA prepared to take on those Veterans in Veteran6133Homes?6134    Answer. States own, operate, manage, and finance State Veterans6135Homes (SVH). Each SVH has its own admission criteria and the autonomy6136to choose which admissions they accept. As of September 10, 2025, there6137were over 30,000 recognized beds with an average daily census of613821,345. VA provides financial support to SVHs through per diem grants,6139nurse retention grants, and State Home Construction grants. Per diem6140grants are provided to SVHs that comply with VA's policies, procedures,6141standards, and regulations and that provide nursing home care,6142domiciliary care, or adult day health care to eligible Veterans. Nurse6143retention grants provide the mechanism for a State to obtain payments6144to assist a SVH in the hiring and retention of nurses (Registered6145Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, and6146Certified Nursing Assistant) to reduce nursing shortages at that SVH.6147The State Home Construction Grant Program sets forth the mechanism for6148a State to obtain a grant to construct State home facilities for6149furnishing domiciliary or nursing care to Veterans, and to expand,6150remodel, or alter existing buildings for furnishing domiciliary,6151nursing home, adult day health, or hospital care to Veterans in SVHs.6152    VA owns and operates 133 Community Living Centers (CLCs) in every6153State except Alaska, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. CLCs serve as6154homes for Veterans who may need either short- or long-term facility-6155based rehabilitation services, restorative care, continuing care,6156mental health recovery, skilled nursing care, spinal cord injury and6157disorder care, dementia care, and hospice and palliative care. As of6158October 3, 2025, there were over 10,000 operational beds in CLCs, with6159an average daily census of 7,654 Veterans. The most frequently used6160services in CLCs across the country include short-stay rehabilitation,6161hospice care, and short-stay skilled nursing care.6162    Question. Community care plays an important role in ensuring6163Veterans receive timely and appropriate services when care is6164unavailable within the VA. However, the Administration's proposed 506165percent increase in community care funding--paired with reductions in6166VA staffing and services--raises concerns about a broader shift toward6167privatization of the VA health system. Is the Department pursuing or6168planning any form of VA health care privatization, either partial or6169full? If not, what specific actions is VA taking to preserve and6170strengthen its internal capacity?6171    Answer. VA is implementing President Donald J. Trump's executive6172order entitled ``Keeping Promises to Veterans and Establishing a6173National Center for Warrior Independence.'' As part of this work, VA is6174focusing on improving access to care with more streamlined clinic6175operations to ensure efficiencies and expanding access to care with6176extended-hours clinics and Veteran self-scheduling.6177    VA has multiple safeguards in place to maintain Veteran care and6178benefits despite staff reductions. All VA mission-critical positions6179are exempt from the Deferred Resignation Program and the Voluntary6180Early Retirement Authority, and more than 350,000 positions are exempt6181from the Federal hiring freeze.6182    VA is exploring reforms to improve operational efficiency and6183service to Veterans, including:61846185  --Centralizing or restructuring administrative functions of the6186        Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits6187        Administration, and National Cemetery Administration that are6188        duplicative and costly so each Administration can focus on6189        their core missions of health care, benefits, and burial6190        services, respectively. To that end, VA is reviewing the6191        centralization of support functions to streamline operations6192        and improve support to Veterans, including areas such as6193        police, procurement, construction, IT, and financial6194        management.61956196  --Consolidating the payroll processing for approximately 50 VA6197        medical centers (VAMCs) into VA's proven payroll system that6198        processes paychecks for more than 200,000 VA employees.6199        Continuing consolidation of payroll for all employees into VA's6200        Financial Services Center will save time, money, and other6201        resources.62026203    Question. The 2024 GAO report on Veterans health care identified6204serious weaknesses in the Department's oversight of community care6205contracts, issuing 27 recommendations, of which only 9 have been6206implemented. What is the Department's plan and timeline to address the6207remaining recommendations?6208    Answer. The 2024 Government Accountability Office (GAO) summary6209report titled ``Veterans Health Care: Opportunities to Improve Access6210to Care Through the Veterans Community Care Program'' (GAO-25-108101)6211includes insights and recommendations from several prior GAO reports,6212specifically:62136214  --GAO-18-281 at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-281 (106215        recommendations),6216  --GAO-20-643 at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-20-643 (36217        recommendations),6218  --GAO-23-105290 at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-23-105290 (26219        recommendations),6220  --GAO-23-105617 at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-23-105617 (36221        recommendations) only 2 of the 3 were included in GAO-25-6222        108101),6223  --GAO-24-106410 at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-24-106410 (26224        recommendations),6225  --GAO-24-106390 at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-24-106390 (36226        recommendations), and6227  --GAO-25-106678 at http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-25-106678 (56228        recommendations).62296230    As of August 21, 2025, VA successfully implemented 146231recommendations. GAO closed one recommendation as not implemented6232because it was no longer valid given changes in VA. Out of the 136233recommendations remaining open, VA is awaiting GAO's acceptance of6234closure requests for 6 recommendations.62356236    VA's Plan and Timeline to Address Remaining Recommendations:62376238  --GAO-18-281: VA is actively advocating for closure due to challenges6239        such as the lack of standardized wait time metrics in community6240        health care. VA will continue using network adequacy standards6241        through Third Party Administrators and evaluating these6242        metrics. Recommendation 10 is contingent upon the finalization6243        of the Veteran Community Care Program Directive. VA expects to6244        finalize this directive soon; however, the specific timeline is6245        to be determined.62466247  --GAO-20-643: Similar to the GAO-18-281 recommendations, VA is6248        pushing for closure, emphasizing the complexities associated6249        with non-standardized wait time metrics and individual provider6250        reporting. VA partially addressed Recommendation 3 and is6251        pursuing a way forward by incorporating a reporting tool into6252        the Community Care Staffing tool to document facilities risks6253        related to community care scheduling.62546255  --GAO-23-105290: VA implemented both recommendations included in the6256        report.62576258  --GAO-23-105617: Only two of three recommendations were included in6259        the GAO-25-108101 report, but VA implemented all three of the6260        original recommendations.62616262  --GAO-24-106410: VA partially addressed Recommendation 1 and plans to6263        request full closure by the end of 2025. Recommendation 2 is6264        pending GAO acceptance for closure.62656266  --GAO-24-106390: VA implemented Recommendations 1 and 2. VA completed6267        evidence of implementation for Recommendation 3, and it is6268        pending submission to GAO.62696270    Question. How is VA ensuring that expanded use of community care6271does not undermine the quality or continuity of care for Veterans--6272particularly in States like Rhode Island where the Providence VA6273Medical Center is a vital hub for regional care and specialized6274services?6275    Answer. For each Veteran referral, VA reviews the available health6276care options with the Veteran based on standards of the John S. McCain6277III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal6278Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018, or6279the VA MISSION Act of 2018. This review includes discussing where6280health care can be provided (such as at the Veteran's home, VA6281facility, or nearby in-network community provider), when it can be6282provided (including wait times for various options), and how the care6283can be delivered (for example, in-person or via telehealth). VA6284addresses any questions Veterans may have to help them choose the most6285appropriate care option for their specific needs.6286    Due to Rhode Island's small size, there are relatively fewer6287patients eligible for community care based on drive time compared to6288larger States. The Providence VAMC and surrounding Community Based6289Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) offer a wide range of services within the6290designated access standards to include drive times of 30 minutes for6291Primary Care and 60 minutes for Specialty Care. VA ensures that6292community care providers work closely with VA providers to maintain6293seamless communication and coordination of care.62946295                                 ______62966297              Questions Submitted by Senator Brian Schatz6298    Question. Under Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 20246299(Public Law 118-42), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is6300permitted to provide care to Veterans residing in the Freely Associated6301States (FAS). The FAS consists of three sovereign nations--the Republic6302of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the6303Marshall Islands--which have unique Compacts of Free Association (COFA)6304with the United States. The COFA agreements and our relationship with6305the FAS are critical to our National security. The U.S. military6306actively recruits in the FAS and FAS citizens serve in our Nation's6307armed forces at some of the highest volunteer rates per capita. Public6308Law 118-42 specifically authorized the VA to provide health and medical6309services to Veterans living in the FAS, and directed the Secretary of6310Veterans Affairs to coordinate with the Secretary of State to enter6311into agreements to carry out these services. According to a memo dated6312April 11, Secretary Collins decided to maintain the status quo and not6313expand care to Veterans in the FAS. What analysis did the VA conduct in6314deciding not to expand additional VA services to Veterans living in the6315FAS?6316    Answer. Courses of action were reviewed following the completion of6317a comprehensive environmental scan done during the previous6318Administration that identified the medical and health care services6319available in the Freely Associated States (FAS) and the costs6320associated with providing these services to Veterans. This led to the6321decision outlined in the memo of April 11, 2025, and VA will continue6322to monitor and engage as necessary.6323    Question. Did the VA consult with other agencies, including the6324Department of State, Department of Interior, Department of Defense, and6325the National Security Council ahead of making this decision?6326    Answer. Representatives from the identified agencies, with the6327exception of the National Security Council, were involved in meetings6328with representatives from the FAS when the environmental scans were6329conducted during the prior Administration.6330    Question. What outreach activities has the VA conducted in the FAS6331since January 2025?6332    Answer. VA organized two in-person outreach events in the FAS. The6333first event took place in Yap State within the Federated States of6334Micronesia (FSM) in June 2025, and the second was held on Kwajalein6335Atoll in the Marshall Islands in July 2025. In addition, since January63362025, VA Manila conducted six virtual outreach events aimed at Palau6337and other locations within the FSM.6338    Question. Have senior VA officials met with the presidents or6339ambassadors from the FAS to discuss the challenges that Veterans in6340their nations face in accessing care through the Foreign Medical6341Program since January 2025?6342    Answer. VA senior leaders, ambassadors from the FAS, and other6343senior leaders participated in calls discussing and reviewing the6344results of the environmental scans during the previous Administration.6345    Question. Do you commit to working with Congress to implement the6346bipartisan intent of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of63472024?6348    Answer. VA is deeply committed to collaborating with Congress to6349ensure Veterans receive the highest quality health care possible. VA6350seeks to align efforts and policies with Congressional support to meet6351the evolving needs of the Veteran community.6352    Question. The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS)6353serves an estimated 50,000 Veterans throughout Hawaii and U.S.-6354Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI), which includes the U.S. Pacific6355Island territories and the Freely Associated States. How many positions6356are currently open across VAPIHCS?6357    Answer. The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) has a6358total of 493 vacant positions in the HR Smart position inventory for a6359vacancy rate of 20.66%. This rate is likely inflated by positions6360created over the last several years but never filled (150) and6361positions vacated without active recruitment actions or intention to6362fill (122 vacated prior to 2024). As of October 21, 2025, VAPIHCS had636377 active recruitment actions in progress, and 43 of those made a6364candidate selection.6365    Question. Is the VA currently offering hiring incentives to fill6366open positions in VAPIHCS? If so, which incentives are being offered6367and for which positions?6368    Answer. Yes, VAPIHCS uses relocation and recruitment incentives for6369hard-to-fill occupations. For highly experienced candidates, VA also6370uses incentives based on external and previous experience to place6371candidates in higher pay groups. General positions for which VA uses6372these incentives include physicians, nurse managers, housekeeping6373aides, and psychologists.6374    Question. Has the VA cut any contracts with companies based in6375Hawaii?6376    Answer. VA has not cut any Hawaii-based company contracts. There6377were no contracts terminated for Hawaii or Station 459 (VAPIHCS).6378    Question. What VA programs are currently targeted to help Veterans6379living in rural communities in Hawaii and what resources would be6380necessary to expands the scale of said programs?6381    Answer. The following VAPIHCS programs provide resources for6382Veterans to access care throughout the Pacific Islands:63836384  --VAPIHCS has six active Accessing Telehealth through Local Area6385        Stations sites and one Access Care station each strategically6386        placed in rural locations in Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.6387        These stations are equipped with the necessary technology to6388        conduct secure, virtual appointments with VA health care6389        providers, which helps to reduce travel time and increase6390        access to health care services for Veterans who may otherwise6391        face difficulties attending appointments in-person due to6392        distance or mobility challenges.63936394  --VAPIHCS sends VA specialists to the islands of Guam, the6395        Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and American6396        Samoa on a rotating basis to provide direct patient care where6397        it otherwise may be limited or unavailable.63986399  --VAPIHCS installed a Melody Robotic Ultrasound System at the Hilo6400        CBOC, which provides real-time diagnostic ultrasound imaging to6401        remote communities without requiring the patient to travel to6402        Oahu. This system can perform cardiac, abdominal, and prenatal6403        ultrasound studies.64046405    In addition, VA has the following Office of Rural Health-funded6406active projects:64076408  --Social Work Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT). The goal of this6409        initiative is to increase access to social work services in6410        PACT for Veterans living in rural communities. This project6411        augments social work employees to sites where access, care6412        coordination, case management, and other social work services6413        are needed and not staffed appropriately according to the PACT6414        Social Work Case Management Model.64156416  --Physical Therapy (PT) in Rural PACT. By embedding PT in PACT,6417        Veterans can access same day care for both musculoskeletal and6418        mobility complaints, thereby reducing sequelae of delayed care.6419        Earlier access to PT reduces primary care provider visits and6420        referrals to specialty providers, improving access.64216422    Resources needed to ensure the expansion and sustainment of these6423programs include secured ongoing funding for these positions to ensure6424retention in challenging localities, as well as exemption from hiring6425caps to enable successful growth and expansion of these pilot programs.6426    The Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21 Clinical Resource6427Hub (CRH) program provides contingency staffing and sustained clinical6428services in Primary Care, Mental Health, Surgery, and Medical6429Specialties to VAPIHCS, including Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Tinian,6430Rota, and Saipan. While the CRH model is telehealth-forward, leveraging6431platforms such as VA Video Connect and Clinical Video Telehealth to6432reach Veterans in their homes and local clinics, it also includes in-6433person care through clinician travel. CRH providers travel to remote6434sites when hands-on care, direct coordination, or community engagement6435requires physical presence, thus offering a flexible hybrid care model.6436    CRHs represent a vital, adaptive solution to delivering high-6437quality VA care in geographically complex environments. With targeted6438investment and technological innovation, the program is well-positioned6439to close access gaps and enhance Veteran care across the Pacific6440Islands.64416442------------------------------------------------------------------------6443                                   VHA VISN 21 Site     Project Fiscal6444    Program Fiscal Year Title           Served            Year Title6445------------------------------------------------------------------------64462025 Veterans Rural Health        459 Spark M.        2025 VRHRC-Iowa6447 Resources Center (VRHRC)-Iowa     Matsunaga VAMC      City: Telehealth6448 City                                                  Collaborative6449                                                       Care for Rural6450                                                       Veterans with HIV6451                                                       Infection (HIV-6452                                                       TCC)6453------------------------------------------------------------------------64542025 CRH                          459 Spark M.        2025 CRH-VISN 216455                                   Matsunaga VAMC6456------------------------------------------------------------------------64572026 CRH                          459GB Hilo VA       2025 CRH-VISN 216458                                   Clinic6459------------------------------------------------------------------------64602027 CRH                          459GD Lihue VA      2025 CRH-VISN 216461                                   Clinic6462------------------------------------------------------------------------6463028 CRH                           459GE Guam VA       2025 CRH-VISN 216464                                   Clinic6465------------------------------------------------------------------------6466029 CRH                           459GF American      2025 CRH-VISN 216467                                   Samoa VA Clinic6468------------------------------------------------------------------------6469030 CRH                           459QB Molokai VA    2025 CRH-VISN 216470                                   Clinic6471------------------------------------------------------------------------6472025 Social Work in PACT           459 Spark M.        2025 Social Work6473                                   Matsunaga VAMC      PACT-4596474------------------------------------------------------------------------64752025 Rural Interprofessional      459 Spark M.        2025 RIFDI-4596476 Faculty Development Initiative    Matsunaga VAMC6477 (RIFDI)6478------------------------------------------------------------------------64792025 Rural Suicide Prevention     459GE Guam VA       2025 Rural Suicide6480                                   Clinic              Prevention-459GE-6481                                                       (96912) Guam-Guam6482                                                       Together with6483                                                       Veterans6484------------------------------------------------------------------------6485025 Rural Suicide Prevention      459GB Hilo VA       2025 Rural Suicide6486                                   Clinic              Prevention-459GB-6487                                                       (96720)6488                                                       Southeast, Hawaii-6489                                                       Mental6490                                                       Restorations6491                                                       Foundation (Big6492                                                       Island)6493------------------------------------------------------------------------6494025 VRHRC-Salt Lake City          459 Spark M.        2025 VRHRC-SLC: An6495                                   Matsunaga VAMC      Exploration of a6496                                                       Competency-Based6497                                                       Framework to6498                                                       Provide Clinical6499                                                       Supervision via6500                                                       the Video6501                                                       Telehealth6502                                                       Modality across6503                                                       Rural Psychology6504                                                       Training Programs6505------------------------------------------------------------------------6506025 PT Embedded into Rural        459 Spark M.        2025 PT in Rural6507 Primary Care PACT                 Matsunaga VAMC      PACT-4596508------------------------------------------------------------------------65096510    Question. How is the VA partnering with local colleges and6511universities to provide training opportunities in Hawaii?6512    Answer. VA's Office of Academic Affiliations manages the largest6513health professions education program in the United States. During the65142023-2024 academic year, more than 120,000 health professions trainees6515from more than 60 professions participated in VA training nationwide.6516VA and its academic partners are at the forefront of fulfilling VA's6517statutory mission of preparing and training new health care6518professionals to deliver exceptional care to Veterans and the Nation.6519This includes the VAPIHCS and instrumental local academic institutions.6520    VAPIHCS partnered with at least 45 academic institutions in the6521past 5 years. This partnership includes local academic institutions and6522others from across the country. Local partners include the Tripler Army6523Medical Center, the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of6524Medicine, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of Hawaii6525at Hilo, and Hawaii Pacific University.6526    VAPIHCS partners with local colleges and universities through VHA6527Affiliation Agreements with multiple local health care professions6528training programs at universities, community colleges, and other6529educational programs across Hawaii to offer clinical opportunities at6530VA clinics in the state. During the 2023-2024 academic year, local6531academic institutions and others partnered with VAPIHCS to train a6532total of 242 persons as health care professionals across multiple6533specialties.6534    Recently, VAPIHCS celebrated the 1-year anniversary of the Center6535for Pacific Islander Veterans Health (CPIVH) that serves Native6536Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islander6537Veterans in the Continental United States, Hawaii, and U.S.6538Territories. The CPIVH partners with the University of Hawaii and the6539University of Arkansas to manage and coordinate research to improve6540health outcomes for the Veteran population.6541    VA also partners with the Hawai'i State Approving Agency (https://6542dod.hawaii.gov/hawai%CA%BBi-state-approving-agency/), which is6543responsible for the approval of education and training programs in6544Hawaii. VA conducts routine compliance surveys on approved educational6545and training programs in Hawaii to ensure programs operate in6546accordance with the applicable GI Bill regulations.6547    VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment program, specifically the6548VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) initiative, is active at several colleges6549and universities in Hawaii. In addition, the Personalized Career6550Planning and Guidance program increased engagements and outreach to6551colleges without VSOCs to spread awareness and utilization of this6552program. This coordinated effort provides comprehensive support and6553resources for student Veterans throughout Hawaii's higher education6554system.6555    Question. Who are the best points of contact for benefits6556enrollment for Veterans within the USAPI?6557    Answer. Veterans within the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI)6558who want additional information regarding using GI Bill benefits may6559contact VA representatives at the Education Call Center by telephone at65601-888-442-4551 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday, or6561electronically through Ask VA at https://ask.va.gov/.6562    Question. What is the process for Veterans in the USAPI to travel6563to Hawaii or elsewhere for care if they are unable to receive the6564medical care they need locally?6565    Answer. For health care benefits, Veterans in Guam, American Samoa,6566and the CNMI must be eligible for health care through VA. If6567specialized medical care is not available within their catchment area,6568their Primary Care provider places a consult for that medical care that6569needs to occur outside their catchment area. VA will coordinate the6570necessary travel arrangements to the closest location where the care is6571available, thus ensuring that Veterans have access to the required6572medical services.6573    In the FSM, Marshall Islands, or Palau, Veterans must have a6574service-connected disability to use the Foreign Medical Program. Under6575this program, eligible Veterans can receive reimbursement for medical6576services abroad for conditions related to their service-connected6577disabilities. In addition, these FAS-based Veterans, if enrolled in VA6578health care, have the option to pay out-of-pocket for travel to a VA6579location (such as in Guam) without reimbursement and then follow the6580same process for health care coordination as Veterans from Guam,6581America Samoa, and the CNMI.6582    To ensure that the process aligns with VA regulations and guidance,6583VA reviews the Veteran's eligibility for travel assistance in6584accordance with 38 C.F.R. part 70. This review includes ensuring that6585the Veteran meets all necessary criteria for travel benefits, such as6586the nature of the medical appointment and service-connected status. It6587is important to note that travel and associated support are only6588authorized for VA-directed appointments. VA will aid with travel6589logistics and cover allowable expenses only for scheduled medical care6590that VA providers have approved. VA authorizes Veterans to use their6591beneficiary travel benefits once they are in Guam or Hawaii, but they6592must pay for their travel to Guam or Hawaii on their own.6593    Question. Does the VA have any priority scheduling of medical6594appointments for Veterans traveling from part of the USAPI with none or6595limited VA services taking into account expensive and difficult travel6596logistics?6597    Answer. Veterans are scheduled for health care once the need is6598identified and according to the availability of clinic appointments.6599Medical appointment scheduling is initially predicated on the date the6600provider indicates due to acuity of clinical need.6601    VHA Directive 1230, Outpatient Scheduling, does not mention6602priority scheduling for Veterans traveling from parts of the USAPI with6603limited or no VA services. However, VHA Directive 1230 emphasizes the6604importance of managing outpatient health care appointment requests6605safely, timely, and accurately based on clinical need and Veterans'6606preferences.6607    Specifically related to Veterans in the FAS, registered Veterans6608are eligible to receive health care at their closest VA facility (for6609example, the Guam CBOC). Should a Veteran require a higher level of6610care and be eligible for beneficiary travel, VAPIHCS staff would assist6611with coordinating their travel and care from their established VA6612facility within the catchment area (for example, Guam) to the closest6613facility with the required care available. Please note that Veterans6614are responsible for travel costs to their closest VA facility from a6615FAS.6616    Question. What is the procedure for a Veteran living in the FAS to6617log into VA.gov or ID.me, considering the multifactor authentication6618system that allows Veterans to sign into these accounts does not send6619security codes to international phone numbers or addresses?6620    Answer. Whether a Veteran can create a Login.gov or ID.me account6621to sign in to VA.gov and other VA online services depends on the6622location of their permanent address, if they have a U.S. Social6623Security Number, and which identity documents they possess.66246625  --If a Veteran has a valid, unexpired U.S. driver's license or state-6626        issued identification, a U.S. Social Security Number, and a6627        U.S. address, they should be able to create an account and6628        verify their identity through either Login.gov or ID.me.66296630  --Veterans can get more information, including step-by-step6631        instructions and answers to questions about common support6632        issues on these publicly available VA.gov webpages:66336634    --Creating an account for VA.gov at https://www.va.gov/resources/6635            creating-an-account-for-vagov/.66366637    --Verifying your identity on VA.gov at https://www.va.gov/6638            resources/verifying-your-identity-on-vagov/.66396640    --How to verify your identity your your Login.gov account at6641            https://www.va.gov/resources/how-to-verify-your-identity-6642            for-your-logingov-account/#content.66436644    --How to verify your identity for your ID.me account at https://6645            www.va.gov/resources/how-to-verify-your-identity-for-your-6646            idme-account/#content.66476648    --Support for common Login.gov and ID.me issues at https://6649            www.va.gov/resources/support-for-common-logingov-and-idme-6650            issues/.66516652  --If a Veteran does not have a valid, unexpired U.S. driver's license6653        or state identification, a U.S. Social Security Number, or a6654        U.S address, they will need to verify through ID.me. VA also6655        encourages Veterans to choose an ID.me account in certain other6656        cases, including if the address on their driver's license or6657        state identification is a P.O. box or if their phone is on a6658        plan that is not in their name and they want to verify their6659        identity online.66606661  --Veterans can get more information and instructions on these6662        publicly available webpages:66636664    --Learn more about verifying your identity if you live outside the6665            United States on the ID.me website at https://help.id.me/6666            hc/en-us/articles/4415907236375-What-if-I-don-t-live-in-6667            the-United-States-.66686669    --Play a video on how to verify your identity while living outside6670            the United States (YouTube) at https://www.youtube.com/6671            watch?v=LC9jkD1Dclo.66726673    --Learn about primary and secondary identification documents on the6674            ID.me website at https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/articles/6675            360017833054-What-is-a-Primary-or-Secondary-Identification-6676            Document-Login.gov and ID.me accounts offer several6677            multifactor authentication (MFA) methods from which6678            Veterans can choose. For example, Veterans who do not have6679            access to text messages, whether because they are living6680            abroad or because they do not have a cell phone, can use a6681            security key or backup codes for MFA.66826683    Veterans can learn more about their MFA options on these publicly6684available pages on the ID.me and Login.gov websites:66856686  --ID.me: Getting started with MFA at https://help.id.me/hc/en-us/6687        articles/360018113053-Getting-started-with-multi-factor-6688        authentication-MFA.66896690  --Login.gov authentication methods at https://www.login.gov/help/get-6691        started/authentication-methods/.66926693    Question. Does the VA have an active Indo-Pacific Working Group6694focused on the needs of Veterans throughout the region?6695    Answer. The Executive Director, Indo Pacific Veterans Affairs,6696focuses on all Veteran issues in the region to include working with6697senior leaders within the Department of State, Department of the6698Interior, Department of War, and with the leaders of the countries in6699the region.6700    Question. American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans do not pay6701copays when they receive health care and urgent care through VA. What6702barriers exist to expanding this policy to cover Native Hawaiian6703Veterans?6704    Answer. Current law at 38 U.S.C. Sec. 1730A prohibits the6705collection of copayments under sections 1710 and 1722A from Veterans6706who are catastrophically disabled and Veterans who are Indian or urban6707Indian, as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health6708Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1603), but does not include Native6709Hawaiians as defined in the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act6710(42 U.S.C. Sec. 11701). Because of the lack of statutory authority, VA6711cannot exempt copayments for Native Hawaiian Veterans.6712    Question. The VA Indian Health Services/Tribal Health Programs/6713Urban Indian Organization Reimbursement Agreements Program provides VA6714reimbursement to Indian Health Services, Tribal Health Programs and6715Urban Indian Organization health facilities for services provided to6716eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans. What barriers6717exist to expanding this program to cover the Native Hawaiian Health6718Care Systems?6719    Answer. Under 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1645(a), the Department of Health and6720Human Services ``may enter into (or expand) arrangements for the6721sharing of medical facilities and services between the Service, Indian6722Tribes, urban Indian organizations, and Tribal organizations and the6723Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.'' Native6724Hawaiian Veterans do not appear to be covered under this statute, which6725is part of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The Native Hawaiian6726Health Care Improvement Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 11701, which governs Native6727Hawaiian Health Care Systems, also does not contain such authorization.6728    Question. In December 2024, the VA announced that it will fund a6729study on Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted, or MDMA-assisted,6730therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder6731among veterans. Is the VA moving forward with funding this study? If6732so, please provide additional information of the status of this study.6733    Answer. VA is moving forward with funding this study. VA6734researchers at the Providence VAMC will be conducting this clinical6735trial to evaluate the potential of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-6736assisted therapy as a treatment option for Veterans with posttraumatic6737stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. The study is in the6738clearance process for required compliance and oversight involving6739review and clearance by the local Institutional Review Board. VA6740anticipates the study will begin in January 2026.6741    Question. What additional research opportunities is the VA pursuing6742related to psychedelics?6743    Answer. VA is engaged in additional research opportunities related6744to psychedelics that fall into two broad categories: studies the VHA6745Office of Research and Development (ORD) funds and studies external6746entities fund (for example, pharmaceutical companies and private or6747community foundations).6748    With regards to the studies ORD funds, ORD issued a funding6749announcement (known as a Request for Applications) for psychedelic6750research in January 2024. More information is available at https://6751news.va.gov/press-room/to-improve-care-for-veterans-va-to-fund-studies-6752on-new-therapies-for-treating-mental-health-conditions/. ORD received6753the first round of study proposals in May 2024. As additional proposals6754come in, ORD is providing a scientific review on a rolling basis. From6755this first round of study proposals, ORD selected one clinical trial6756for funding through this mechanism (see response to Question 5a herein6757for additional details). ORD is considering other trials for funding.6758    ORD also selected a pre-clinical study for funding. VA researchers6759at the Baltimore VAMC are leading this study. The study examines how6760psilocybin affects the brain's mitochondrial dynamics, with the goal of6761understanding how this psychedelic could potentially help Veterans with6762PTSD by making the brain more responsive to therapy.6763    Question. What challenges would the VA face in conducting clinical6764research studies into psychedelic-assisted therapy with Schedule 16765substances?6766    Answer. Psychedelic research presents complex regulatory issues6767given that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) generally6768classifies them as Schedule I substances. Currently, medical research6769with Schedule I substances takes place legally through a process that6770involves the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewing the study6771protocol and the researchers obtaining a research registration from the6772DEA. ORD provides a Researcher Toolkit on ORD's website to provide6773guidance to researchers on navigating this process at https://6774vaww.research.va.gov/psychedelics-toolkit.cfm.6775    VA researchers conducting clinical trials in VAMCs successfully6776navigated this process without significant challenges.6777    Question. If FDA approves a psychedelic as medicine, has the VA6778considered potential care delivery models to deliver psychedelic-6779assisted therapy for eligible Veterans at scale?6780    Answer. VA has been preparing potential care delivery models to6781deliver psychedelic-assisted therapy, if and when the FDA approves6782these agents. Care delivery models would include care delivered in VA6783facilities and through contracted community care providers.6784    Question. Researchers from the Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System6785collaborated to lead a VA Office of Research & Development-funded study6786titled, ``Cannabis Use and Health among VHA Primary Care Patients,''6787the final outcomes of which have not yet been published. How is the VA6788using initial concerns raised in the study about the lack of data6789tracking Veterans' cannabis use to inform VA screenings and services?6790    Answer. VA used the concerns raised in this initial study to prompt6791investments in follow-up work that is gathering information that will6792be foundational for guiding interventions for addressing gaps in health6793care. These include the follow-up study detailed in response to6794Question 6b, as well as the work detailed in Pravosud V., Lum E., Vali6795M., et al. ``Cannabis Use Among Older Adults.'' JAMA Network Open.67962025;8(5): e2510173. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.10173.6797    In addition, VA researchers developed the Cannabis Use Disorder6798Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R), which is a simple 8-question6799survey that can be completed in less than 2 minutes, to accurately6800screen Veterans for general and pathological cannabis use. A score of6801=10 out of 32 is optimal for differentiating problematic from non-6802problematic cannabis use and is published in Myers M.G. et al.6803``Assessing the diagnostic utility of the Cannabis Use Disorder6804Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R) among veterans with medical and6805non-medical cannabis use.'' Drug Alcohol Depend. 2023, 247:109876. DOI:680610.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109876.6807    This screening tool can be implemented widely in VA primary care6808settings to enhance the health care services provided to Veterans6809Nationwide.6810    Question. What is the timeline for a potential follow-up study with6811a broader national sample of Veterans?6812    Answer. Researchers from the San Francisco VA Health Care System6813are conducting a follow-up study with a broader national sample of6814Veterans. Results are expected in 2028.6815    Question. What additional research opportunities is the VA pursuing6816related to medicinal and non-medicinal cannabis use?6817    Answer. VA offers research opportunities related to the use of6818medicinal cannabis to better understand the potential risks and6819benefits of cannabis, cannabinoids, or substances enhancing6820endocannabinoid signaling.68216822                          SUBCOMMITTEE RECESS68236824    Senator Boozman. [Whereupon, at 12:25 p.m., Tuesday, June682524, the subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene subject to the6826call of the Chair.]68276828       LIST OF WITNESSES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND PREPARED STATEMENTS68296830                              ----------6831                                                                   Page68326833Boozman, Senator John, U.S. Senator from Arkansas, Opening6834  Statement of68356836Collins, Hon. Douglas A., Secretary of Veterans Affairs:6837    Prepared Statement of........................................6838      60.........................................................6839    Questions Submitted to.......................................6840      96.........................................................6841    Statement of.................................................6842      55.........................................................6843    Summary Statement of.........................................6844      58.........................................................68456846Fischer, Senator Deb, U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Questions6847  Submitted by...................................................6848  51-52..........................................................68496850Jablon,Vice Admiral Jeffrey T., Deputy Chief of Naval Operations6851  for Installations and Logistics, United States Navy:6852    Prepared Statement of........................................6853      19.........................................................6854    Statement of.................................................6855      18.........................................................68566857Marks, Hon. Dale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy,6858  Installations, and Environment:6859    Prepared Statement of........................................6860      7..........................................................6861    Questions Submitted to.......................................6862      51.........................................................6863    Statement of.................................................6864      1..........................................................6865    Summary Statement of.........................................6866      5..........................................................6867Miller, Lieutenant General Tom D., Deputy Chief of Staff for6868  Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, United States Air6869  Force:6870    Prepared Statement of........................................6871      29.........................................................6872    Statement of.................................................6873      27.........................................................68746875Ossoff, Senator Jon, U.S. Senator from Georgia:6876    Questions Submitted by68776878    Statement of68796880
68816882Reed, Senator Jack, U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, Questions6883  Submitted by...................................................6884  96.............................................................68856886Schatz, Senator Brian, U.S. Senator from Hawaii, Questions6887  Submitted by...................................................6888  99.............................................................6889Sklenka, Lieutenant General Stephen D., Deputy Commandant for6890  Installations and Logistics, United States Marine Corps:6891    Prepared Statement of........................................6892      23.........................................................6893    Statement of.................................................6894      22.........................................................68956896Warakomski, Brigadier General Zachary S., Assistant Deputy Chief6897  of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, United6898  States Space Force:............................................6899    Prepared Statement of........................................6900      29.........................................................6901    Statement of.................................................6902      36.........................................................6903Wilson, Lieutenant General David, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9,6904  United States Army:6905    Prepared Statement of........................................6906      15.........................................................6907    Questions Submitted to.......................................6908      52.........................................................6909    Statement of.................................................6910      14.........................................................69116912                             SUBJECT INDEX69136914                              ----------6915                                                                   Page69166917                         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE69186919                Military Construction and Family Housing69206921Additional Committee Questions...................................6922  51.............................................................6923Advanced Manufacturing and the Organic Industrial Base...........6924  26.............................................................6925Army Family Housing..............................................6926  16.............................................................6927Background.......................................................6928  24.............................................................6929Barracks 2030, Service Quality of Life, and Operational Readiness6930  Imperatives....................................................6931  24.............................................................6932Base Operating Support and Facilities Sustainment Restoration and6933  Modernization..................................................6934  19.............................................................6935Child Development Centers........................................6936  25.............................................................6937Combatant Commander Infrastructure...............................6938  31.............................................................6939Construction on Guam.............................................6940  13.............................................................6941Current Threats..................................................6942  23.............................................................6943Defense Environmental Restoration................................6944  12.............................................................6945Design...........................................................6946  32.............................................................6947Dormitories/Unaccompanied Housing................................6948  33.............................................................6949Existing Mission Recapitalization................................6950  32.............................................................6951Facility:6952    Investments..................................................6953      15.........................................................6954    Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization..................6955      35.........................................................6956Family Housing69576958Fiscal Year 2025 Air Force Milcon CR Spend Plan..................6959  31.............................................................6960FY 2025 Milcon Update............................................6961  26.............................................................6962Hawaii...........................................................6963  13.............................................................6964Housing..........................................................6965  11.............................................................6966    Construction, Operation and Maintenance......................6967      33.........................................................6968Improving Efficiency.............................................6969  10.............................................................6970Indo-Pacific Priorities..........................................6971  13.............................................................6972Infrastructure: Long-Term Readiness..............................6973  29.............................................................6974Installation Resilience69756976Installations....................................................6977  30.............................................................6978Milcon and FSRM Review...........................................6979  10.............................................................6980Military:6981    Construction69826983    Housing Privatization Initiative.............................6984      11.........................................................6985Natural Disaster Recovery Efforts................................6986  30.............................................................6987Navy Child and Youth Programs....................................6988  21.............................................................6989New Mission Bed Downs............................................6990  32.............................................................6991Quality of Life69926993Overarching Objectives...........................................6994  7..............................................................6995Privatized Housing...............................................6996  33.............................................................6997Real Property Efficiencies.......................................6998  10.............................................................6999Reviewing Processes for Complying with Environmental Regulations.7000  11.............................................................7001Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program.....................7002  20.............................................................7003Special Interest Items...........................................7004  30.............................................................7005Strengthening Our Force from the Shore...........................7006  19.............................................................7007Supporting:7008    Defense Communities and Promoting Compatible Development.....7009      9..........................................................7010    Lethality....................................................7011      7..........................................................7012Taking Care of People: Child Development Centers and Dormitories.7013  30.............................................................7014Unaccompanied Housing............................................7015  20.............................................................7016    Barracks.....................................................7017      16.........................................................7018United States Space Force........................................7019  34.............................................................7020Weapon System Sustainment........................................7021  35.............................................................70227023                               __________70247025                     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS70267027Additional Committee Questions...................................7028  96.............................................................70297030                             [all]