Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after including several key priorities for Wisconsin businesses, farmers, servicemembers, and veterans in Senate-passed legislation to fund the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Agriculture (USDA) among other agencies for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026. Last week, the Senate advanced these funding bills on strong bipartisan votes, rejecting many of the deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and in stark contrast to the House’s partisan bills.

“I’m proud to help write bipartisan funding bills that give Wisconsin farmers, military families, veterans, and rural communities a seat at the table. Despite the President trying to slash and burn lifelines for our farmers and ranchers, we are investing in our dairy businesses, farmer mental health, and clean water in rural communities. We also are ensuring veterans, including those eligible for the PACT Act, get the support they need, from investing in services at the VA to increasing investment in caregivers for veterans, mental health and addiction support, childcare, and homelessness prevention,” said Senator Baldwin. “I worked with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to advance two bipartisan bills that address the needs of our farmers, veterans, and rural communities for the upcoming year. I’ll be working to protect this critical funding as we get these bills over the finish line in the House and passed into law.”