House Passes Defense, Veterans, and Other Appropriations Bills

Statement

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) voted in support of the bipartisan H.R. 3219, the Make America Secure Appropriations Act of 2018. This important package contains the Defense, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Energy and Water, and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. The package prioritizes funds for our troops, veterans, their families, and other important priorities.

"Today, the House passed, with my support, the bipartisan Make America Secure Appropriations Act of 2018. The bill, which was approved by the House establishes a $28.6 billion National Defense Restoration Fund that will enable Defense Secretary James Mattis to recommend to Congress the investments to modernize the armed forces based on a new defense strategy expected in September. The bill will also improve military readiness, modernize our national security and provide critical investment in future technology and cybersecurity.

"This bill enables us to rebuild our military and restore combat readiness and provide Secretary Mattis with the tools to address the challenges in an increasingly dangerous and unstable world. This bill reverses the years of defense spending caps, and dangerous cuts that have undermined our military readiness.

"This bill prioritizes funds for our troops by providing the largest pay increase in 8 years, fully funds veterans benefits and support for their families and support for veterans' suicide prevention programs, increases support for our U.S. Capitol Police who have been handling more threats this year, fortifies our homeland, provides increased border security, provides the funding to house, train, and equip our military personnel, and provides funding for missile defense to counter the North Korea threat.

"The measure also included my amendment to increase resources for the DoD STARBASE program from $25 million to $30 million so that this STEM education program is able to continue exposing students to these fields and providing our next generation with the necessary tools to keep the United States globally competitive."

This legislation includes:

Boosts military base funding for DoD 13 percent above FY17 enacted levels, or $68.1 Billion.
Fully funds the authorized 2.4 percent troop pay raise--the largest in 8 years.
This legislation provides funds for the construction and maintenance of facilities to enable our military to fight current and emerging threats, to support increased troop levels, and to sustain services for military families.
Increases funding by 25 percent for the construction of military infrastructure ($10.2B total).
Highest funding level ever for our Veterans ($78.3B, an increase of 5 percent above FY17).
This legislation allocates additional funds that provide resources for important priorities within the VA, such as suicide prevention, claims processing, homeless prevention and care, opioid addiction, and medical research.
Increased funding for Army Corps of Engineers environmental infrastructure projects.
Over $1.1 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs.

Source