Pablo José Hernández, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, announced on May 13 that the U.S. House of Representatives will begin considering the appropriations bill for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2027.
The bill includes funding for military infrastructure, health services, and programs for veterans, as well as projects related to the Puerto Rico National Guard. The House is expected to review this budget proposal in the coming days as part of its annual federal appropriations process.
“Fort Buchanan is a strategic facility for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. This investment of $33.5 million will strengthen emergency response capacity and help ensure operational continuity and access to potable water during natural disasters. We will continue working and advocating for these priorities throughout the legislative process,” Hernández said.
The measure provides approximately $137 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), supporting services for more than 70,000 Puerto Rican veterans who rely on the Veterans Hospital in San Juan and community clinics across the island. It also allocates $3.7 billion for suicide prevention and mental health services; $3.5 billion for homeless veteran support programs; $710 million for opioid prevention and treatment; $236 million toward substance abuse treatment programs and behavioral health support; and $1.4 billion to expand specialized medical services and preventive care for women veterans—a growing population in Puerto Rico.
Hernández highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen key facilities such as Camp Santiago and Fort Buchanan, including a dedicated $33.5 million investment in an emergency water system at Fort Buchanan designed to bolster resilience by ensuring continuous access to potable water during emergencies or natural disasters.
