FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2008
CONTACT: Matt Mackowiak
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY 2009 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Spending Bill
Bill Funds Health Care, Research, Infrastructure and Facilities for MilCon and VA
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced that the full Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. The legislation, which appropriates funds for Fiscal Year 2009 for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military construction through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), is now ready to be considered by the full Senate.
The legislation will provide $10.3 billion for active duty military construction and $1.27 billion for construction of reserve related components. More than $3 billion is for family housing construction and operations, and $240.9 million will be utilized for the NATO Security Investment Program.
“This funding will improve not only the facilities used by our soldiers but also the quality of life for all of those living on our military bases,” said Sen. Hutchison. “I will continue to do all I can to support our courageous men and women who selflessly defend American freedom.”
Sen. Hutchison secured more than $1.3 billion for regular military construction projects in Texas, including $42 million for Fort Hood and $21 million for Dyess Air Force Base. Sen. Hutchison also secured more than $1.2 billion for Base Realignment and Closure projects in Texas, including more than $610 million for Fort Sam Houston and $384 million for Fort Bliss.
The legislation will also provide more than $94.7 billion to fund the VA. This includes $46.7 billion for mandatory veterans’ benefits and $48 billion in discretionary spending. Legislative highlights include 35.6 billion for medical services, $4.9 billion for medical facilities, and $526.8 million for medical and prosthetic research.
“Caring for our veterans who have defended American freedom on the battlefield is one of our most solemn responsibilities,” said Sen. Hutchison. “This funding supports much-needed medical services and cutting-edge research to improve medical care for our veterans.”
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