Manchin Votes Against Appropriations Bill That Reduces Funding for VA Facilities

Statement

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today voted against the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Act, legislation that cuts the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintenance and facility budgets by $250 million. The MilCon/VA also includes offsetting emergency disaster spending to combat Zika, which sets a dangerous precedent.

"We promised our Veterans we would show our gratitude to them by providing whatever they need when they return home," Senator Manchin said. "But with four VA facilities in West Virginia that are over 50 years old, I cannot in good faith support legislation that cuts $250 million in funding for VA facility maintenance. This bill would also cut into physician's salaries, which are imperative to ensuring the VA is able to attract and keep quality physicians to provide our Veterans with the best possible healthcare. I am fully committed to making sure West Virginia's 167,000 heroic Veterans are well-served, and that means we cannot underfund the very programs that they rely on."

These budget cuts come at a time when 60 percent of VHA's facilities are over 50 years old and the VA's own facilities assessments show over $10 billion in code deficiencies at existing clinics and hospitals.

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