The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to veterans who meet certain eligibility rules. Benefits to veterans range from disability compensation and pensions to hospital and medical care. VA provides these benefits to veterans through three major operating units: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). VHA is primarily a direct service provider of primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to veterans through an integrated health care system.

This report discusses key issues resolved by the conference agreements regarding FY2006 Defense appropriations.

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The Senate and the House each passed spending reduction reconciliation bills. A conference agreement of approximately $40 billion in reductions was reached on December 19, but has yet to clear Congress. The Senate passed a five-year revenue reduction reconciliation bill on December 8. The net effect of the legislation on the budget would be to raise the deficit in fiscal year 2006 and over the five-year period covered in the legislation.

This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2006, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.

This report summarizes, in chronological order, congressional activity to fund items in the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account since 1987. In appropriations legislation, funding for EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) wastewater assistance is contained in the measure providing funds for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.