LaLota Reopens Government, Supports Long Island

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota (R–Suffolk County), a member of the House Appropriations Committee released the following statement after voting to reopen the government and pass Fiscal Year 2026 funding bills for Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, and the Legislative Branch as part of H.R.5371 - Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026. 

“I just voted to reopen the government — without caving to the Left’s reckless $1.5 trillion in new spending demands, including $200 billion for healthcare for noncitizens. Our bipartisan agreement responsibly funds the government through January while fully supporting Long Island priorities — from the 106th Rescue Wing and our Coast Guard stations, to the Northport VA Medical Center and Brookhaven National Lab — ensuring our servicemembers, Veterans, and researchers have the resources they need to keep our nation strong,” said LaLota

For the full text of H.R. 5371, click HERE.

BACKGROUND:

H.R. 5371 funds the government at current levels through January 30, 2026, for nine of the twelve annual appropriations bills, and provides full-year funding through September 30, 2026, for the remaining three. The measure extends the National Flood Insurance Program; continues authorities for the Virginia-Class Submarine Program; and maintains the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act throughout the duration of the CR. It also extends Department of Homeland Security authorities to address unmanned aerial system threats, and clarifies that the District of Columbia may spend FY26 funds derived from local tax revenues and other non-Federal sources. In addition, the legislation extends expiring health care programs—including community health centers, rural and underserved area hospital and ambulance payments, and Medicare telehealth flexibilities—as well as expiring VA health care, benefits, and homelessness programs.

This legislation also provides more than $400 billion in total funding—including $133.5 billion in discretionary resources—to fully support Veterans’ medical care and mandatory benefits, as well as critical housing, infrastructure, and facilities for U.S. servicemembers and their families. It includes $115 billion for Veterans’ medical care, which, combined with $52.6 billion from the mandatory Toxic Exposures Fund, gives the Department of Veterans Affairs $167.7 billion to fully fund health care for Veterans. In addition, the bill provides $263.7 billion for mandatory Veterans’ benefits, including disability compensation, education benefits, and vocational rehabilitation and employment training programs.