Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2017
Floor Speech
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Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, the continuing resolution before you includes, in Division A, the full-year appropriations for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2017. Division A is exactly the same as the MILCON-VA conference report that was approved by the House on June 23.
Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Rogers; Mrs. Lowey, the ranking member, and the partnership of the subcommittee ranking member, Sanford Bishop, the gentleman from Georgia, this conference report was negotiated with the Senate and will provide necessary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects.
This conference report demonstrates our firm commitment to fully supporting our Nation's veterans and servicemembers and their families.
The total investment is $82.5 billion for Military Construction, VA, and Related Agencies--$2.6 billion over last year's level.
This bill provides comprehensive support for servicemembers, military families, and veterans. It supports our troops with the facilities and services necessary to maintain readiness and morale at bases here in the States and, of course, overseas. It provides for Defense Department schools and health clinics that take care of our military families.
The bill funds our veteran healthcare systems to ensure that our promise to care for those who have sacrificed in defense of this great Nation continues as those men and women return home. We owe this to our veterans and are committed to sustained oversight so that programs deliver what they promise and taxpayers are well served by the investments we make.
On the military construction side, the bill provides a total of $7.9 billion for military construction projects and family housing, including base and overseas contingency operations, OCO, funding--an increase of $282 million over the President's request.
This funding meets DOD's most critical needs, including priority projects for the combatant commanders and funding new mission requirements. It provides $304 million for military medical facilities.
It provides $246 million for Defense Department education facilities, for construction or renovation of four schools. It supports our Guard and Reserve through $673 million for facilities in 21 States. It funds military family housing at $1.3 billion. It provides $178 million for the NATO Security Investment Program, which is $43 million over last year's level, to deal with the increasing threats and necessary investments overseas.
On the VA side, the legislation includes a total of $74.4 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. That is $2.9 billion above the fiscal year 2016.
VA medical services, the bill funds VA medical services at $58.8 billion. Many Members expressed concerns about medical services, and we were able to fully fund the budget request for hepatitis C at $1.5 billion--and I believe that is about 70,000 veterans who will be treated for hepatitis C--veteran homelessness at $1.6 billion, long- term care at $8.6 billion, Office of the Inspector General at $160 million, and caregiver stipends at $735 million, $10 million over the request.
For disability claims, we provide $30 million over the request for the Veterans Benefits Administration, which is a $148 million increase over fiscal year 2016, and the full request for the Board of Veterans' Appeals, which is about a $46 million increase.
The bill will enhance transparency and accountability at the VA through further oversight and an increase for the VA Office of Inspector General's independent audits and investigations.
The legislation also contains $260 million for the modernization of the VA electronic health record and includes language restricting the funding until the VA meets milestones and certifies interoperability to meet statutory requirements. This, of course, is a major priority for the committee. I know the chairman and the ranking member have spoken at length about the integrated health record, and we have to get this done.
Major construction--we continue to focus on major construction oversight and maintain strict requirements, including holding back 100 percent of the funding for the largest construction projects until VA meets our requirements.
We include bill language requiring improved standards for the suicide hotline and certification of mental health therapists to expand access for veterans who need their care.
We include major new whistleblower protections for VA employees to avoid retribution for the employees.
In closing, this is a very solid, bipartisan bill that is focused on the needs of servicemembers, veterans, and all their families. We are $2.6 billion--$2.6 billion with a B--over the fiscal year 2016 level; more than a 3 percent increase. We have provided for our military and veterans to the very best level we can in a manner that is fiscally responsible within the constraints of the Budget Act we adopted last year.
We are going to do a lot of good with this bill. It is fair, it is balanced, and it is generous.
On behalf of our servicemembers, military families, and veterans, I urge support of this legislation. Let's take care of those who sacrificed so much for our country.
I urge support of the resolution with an ``aye'' vote.
Once again, I thank the chair, the ranking member, and Mr. Bishop for
all their support of this legislation.
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