May 15, 2026 – Washington, D.C. – The Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), Gabriella Boffelli, announced the approval on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2027. The legislation includes significant investments aimed at strengthening military infrastructure and expanding services for veterans in Puerto Rico.

This development follows PRFAA’s earlier announcement on May 2, when the agency reported progress on the committee-level approval of the first four FY 2027 appropriations bills, including the MilCon-VA measure, as part of the initial stage of consideration in the U.S. House.

Among the allocations included in the approved bill is a $33.5 million investment for the development of an emergency water treatment system at Fort Buchanan. The project will establish a secondary, resilient source of potable water using Lake La Casa as a backup supply during emergencies or service disruptions.

The initiative includes the construction of a water treatment facility, a protective structure for the installation, and a water intake system connected to the lake. The project was included by the Department of War in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request as part of the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP).

“This funding strengthens Fort Buchanan’s operational capacity and emergency response readiness, ensuring reliable access to potable water and reinforcing the security of one of the Caribbean’s most important military installations,” said Gabriella Boffelli.

The legislation also includes funding for programs that directly impact veterans’ services in Puerto Rico, including:

• $450.29 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including full funding for veterans’ benefits and healthcare programs.
• $60 million for the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program, which has previously supported the Atlantic Garden Veterans Cemetery in Aguadilla.
• $42 billion for the Medical Community Care Advance Appropriations program, which includes the State Home Per Diem Program and supports services provided at the Veterans’ Home in Puerto Rico.

In addition, earlier this week the House Appropriations Committee approved the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2027, which now moves to consideration by the full House of Representatives. The measure provides more than $77 billion in discretionary funding to support the operations and programs of the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, and federal science and research agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The bill prioritizes funding to strengthen public safety, combat drug trafficking, support state and local law enforcement agencies, and advance strategic initiatives that enhance economic competitiveness and U.S. national security. It is expected to come up for a full House vote in the coming weeks.

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