The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MILCON) spending bill, which includes $81.6 billion in discretionary funding for military infrastructure projects.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA), the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, said that the measure upholds the nation’s promise to care for troops and military families.
“It provides a robust increase in funding for medical care and benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to keep pace with demand,” Dent said. “Its provisions will improve the quality of life for our service members and their families while they’re serving and meet their needs as they return to their home communities.”
The bill’s $81.6 billion in discretionary funding would be approximately $1.8 billion more than allocated in fiscal year 2016, while military construction under the bill would be $250 million more than the president requested — providing family housing, construction of hospitals and health facilities, and overseas investments.
“It will also address concerns raised by veterans across the country by facilitating improvements in the VA’s claims and appeals processes and maintain the VA’s leadership in cutting edge medical research programs,” Dent said. “Our veterans deserve the best care we can provide, and this legislation will deliver that while simultaneously enhancing oversight for patients and taxpayers alike.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, added that the bill includes $76.6 million in funding for military construction in Oklahoma, and that the bill recommends spending $260 million to modernize the VA’s health records system to improve accountability and oversight.
“I am proud that the Appropriations Committee is wasting no time in considering legislation to fund the vital tools and resources for our active-duty service members, veterans and their families,” Cole said. “The legislation advanced out of committee reflects the bipartisan commitment to providing first-rate tools, resources and care to our brave individuals from the moment they commit to serve onward, including funding to implement solutions that ensure our veterans receive care in a timely manner. I am particularly pleased that the legislation invests in the military installations located across the state of Oklahoma.”