Flores Votes to Uphold Commitments to Funding Veterans and Military Programs

Statement

The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 4486, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation appropriates funding for our nation's military housing and facilities and the care and treatment of our veterans for fiscal year 2015. Following passage of H.R. 4486, U.S. Congressman Bill Flores issued the following statement:

"We are indebted to the military men and women who have served, or who are currentl, serving, to protect our liberty and freedom. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill works to fulfill our commitments to our nation's veterans and provide the funding needed for military construction projects.

"This legislation finds efficient and responsible savings from outdated and duplicative programs while providing $1.5 billion of additional spending for veterans programs. This will help ensure that our veterans receive quality health care, have access to the benefits that they have earned and have a successful transition into civilian life with fulfilling career opportunities. Some of our nation's veterans are forced to wait too long for treatment and to have their disability claims processed. To address this, H.R. 4486 spends needed money to help ease the disability claims backlog through a paperless claims processing system and modernize VA health priorities. In the wake of some recent reports of gross mismanagement, it is essential that we work to provide better care and more efficient services for our veterans. This bill also makes certain that hardworking American tax dollars are protected through increased oversight and reporting requirements.

"The federal government's primary responsibility under the Constitution is to provide for the common defense to protect all Americans. In order to ensure that protection, this bill makes certain that our nation's armed forces have the support systems and infrastructure needed to operate soundly. I am always mindful of our obligations to our military men and women who defend America against her enemies today and to our veterans who defended us in the past. This House-passed, bipartisan bill honors that commitment, while holding the line on spending without compromising the quality of services provided to our troops, our veterans, and their families."

Source