The House recently passed its Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that included funding for a new national cemetery in Sarpy Country, Nebr.
Rep. Lee Terry (R-Nebr.), a leading proponent of the new cemetery, said it would provide a closer burial option for veterans near Omaha, Nebr.
Terry led the effort in 2009 to change the Veteran Population Threshold, which is a determining factor in the location of all new national cemeteries.
“Providing a final resting place for our area veterans has been a top priority of mine for a number of years,” Terry said. “Our veterans and their families deserve a final honorable resting place close to home and I look forward to watching this world-class facility that honors our veterans’ sacrifices being built in the Omaha Metro area.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs acquired a 236-acre site in Sarpy County for $6.2 million in December 2012. The VA requested $36 million for the construction of the new national cemetery.
The appropriations bill also included an amendment by Terry to fix the cost over runs and delays of major construction projects, including military hospitals.
The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act funds military construction and veterans’ affairs projects. It passed on Tuesday in a 421 – 4 vote and includes $73.3 billion for fiscal year 2014.