Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Legislation
Bill will fund essential programs and services for our nation’s troops, veterans, and military families
Washington,
May 16 -
The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. The legislation totals $71.7 billion in discretionary funding, which is the same as the fiscal year 2012 level.
The bill provides the nation’s military with the infrastructure needed to house, train, and equip military personnel, provides for the quality of life of our troops and their families, and maintains our strong military base structure. It also funds veterans’ benefits and programs to ensure that all veterans receive the services they need and deserve.
Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers made the following statement on the legislation:
“Our troops, veterans and military families deserve to have the programs and services they have earned as a result of their service and sacrifice. This bill provides for the most urgent needs of our nation’s veterans and active military members and supports important Department of Defense projects both here and abroad, all while holding the line on spending and keeping a close on taxpayer dollars,” Rogers said.
Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman John Culberson also commented on his bill:
“The first duty of government is to protect our nation. It is Congress’ responsibility to ensure that the most urgent needs of our active duty military personnel and our nation’s veterans are met. However, we are facing a financial crisis that cannot be ignored. We were able to increase funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by $2.3 billion more than fiscal year 2012, and Military Construction has been reduced by $2.4 billion without increasing the overall spending level from last year. This bill recognizes the absolute urgency of cutting government spending without compromising the high quality services provided to our troops, their families, and our veterans,” Chairman Culberson said.
The following amendments to the FY 2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill were approved today in the full committee:
Rep. Culberson – The manager’s amendment makes technical and non-controversial changes and additions to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Rep. Flake – The amendment prohibits funding for the Department to solicit construction contracts that either favor or oppose project labor agreements. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
The FY 2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill was approved by the full committee on a voice vote.
For the text of the FY 2013 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill and report, please visit:
http://appropriations.house.gov/UploadedFiles/BILLS-112HR-SC-AP-FY13-MilConVA.pdf and
http://appropriations.house.gov/UploadedFiles/MILCON-FY13-FULLCOMMITTEEREPORT.pdf
For a summary of the bill, please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=294142