Jones Votes to Increase Funding for Veterans, Stop BRAC

Press Release

Yesterday, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted in favor of legislation to increase next year's Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) budget by 3.5% in order to improve care for America's veterans. The bill would also prevent President Barack Obama from implementing his proposal for a new round of military base realignments and closures, otherwise known as BRAC. The legislation -- H.R. 2216 -- overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 421-4. It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

The bill includes $290 million to help end the current VA disability claims backlog, which has caused many veterans to wait over two years for a decision to be made regarding their claims. Along with increased funding, regional VA offices with the largest backlogs would be required to provide monthly reports on how they are expediting claims for veterans who have already waited over a year for a decision.

An allotment of $344 million would go toward implementing a joint health record system for the Defense and VA departments, ensuring that veterans' health centers have access to complete medical records for their patients. The legislation also directs the VA to report on the cost of implementing any necessary programs to care for the mental health of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I have been, and will continue to be, an outspoken advocate for our veterans," said Jones. "This legislation helps address many of the issues that greatly concern me, including the unacceptable VA backlog and the need for increased mental health services for returning service members. The men and women who have risked their lives defending our freedom deserve to be treated with the highest standard of care."

Congressman Jones also supported a crucial amendment -- which was successfully adopted by voice vote -- to prohibit funding for domestic military base closures. The provision would block President Barack Obama's Fiscal Year 2014 budget request, which proposes another round of base realignment and closures. A new BRAC round could significantly impact military facilities in North Carolina.

"Military communities are a vital piece of our economy, particularly in Eastern North Carolina," said Jones. "By preventing these domestic base closures, we create opportunities for future job growth while maintaining our military readiness."

Source