U.S. Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Mike Bost (R-IL) on Wednesday led the introduction of comprehensive GOP legislation that would federally fund military construction, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and related agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024.
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill includes a total of nearly $338 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), VA, and related agencies. Of the total, roughly $171 billion is provided as discretionary funding, and $167 billion is provided for mandatory programs, according to a bill summary provided by House Appropriations Republicans.
“House Republicans have repeatedly vowed that there will be no cuts to the care and benefits our veterans deserve, and the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill delivers on that promise,” according to a joint statement released on May 16 by Rep. Granger, chairwoman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee; Rep. Bost, chairman of the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee; and U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-TX), chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
Of the discretionary total, $17.7 billion is for DOD military construction projects, nearly $1 billion above the budget request, and $152.4 billion is for VA discretionary programs, which is nearly $18 billion above FY 2023. Overall, the bill fully funds the budget request for the VA and includes a total of $471.7 million for the four related agencies, the summary says.
“This bill sends a clear message: Our commitment to taking care of our nation’s veterans will never waver,” the lawmakers said. “It fully funds veterans’ healthcare programs, veterans’ benefits, and other critical VA programs, including the electronic health record modernization initiative.”
Specifically, according to the bill summary’s top line messaging, the measure would fully fund veterans’ healthcare programs; fully fund veterans’ benefits and VA programs, including the electronic health record modernization initiative; provide nearly $1 billion above the budget request for military construction, focusing investments in the Pacific theater, barracks, and other quality-of-life projects; and maintain two provisions prohibiting the closure or realignment of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Additionally, the bill would focus the Executive Branch on its core responsibilities by including new provisions prohibiting funds to lobby Congress, promote or advance critical race theory, and carry out divisive Executive Orders, the summary says.
“As we continue to have spirited debates about reining in government spending, it is important to remember that we must do so accurately and respectfully,” said Reps. Granger, Bost, and Carter.
“The fact is: Republicans on the House Appropriations and House Veterans Affairs Committees are united in upholding our commitment to our veterans while fulfilling one of our most fundamental obligations: funding the federal government,” the members said. “As this bill moves through the process, we look forward to working together and ensuring that those who selflessly served our country are supported.”
The bill was being marked up on Wednesday by the House Appropriations Committee.