Ruppersberger, Fellow Appropriators Pass Bill that Invests in Maryland Military Facilities

Press Release

The House Appropriations Committee today passed legislation that includes more than $500 million for improvements at Maryland military facilities championed by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02). The $251 billion Military Construction-Veterans Affairs funding bill for fiscal year 2021 now moves to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill provides $10.1 billion total for military construction projects. These funds will provide for construction of and improvements at facilities like barracks, hospitals and readiness centers. They will also support increased troop levels and sustain services for families. The legislation also makes significant investments in veterans' healthcare and services, including mental healthcare, homelessness assistance, suicide prevention, and opioid abuse prevention and treatment.

The committee adopted many of Congressman Ruppersberger's funding requests for Maryland military facilities, including:

$250 million for improvements to a building at the National Security Agency, located at Fort Meade;
$39.5 million for Camp Fretterd, the Navy Reserve Training Center in Reisterstown;
$10 million for the incinerator facility at Fort Detrick;
$180 million for the Bethesda Naval Hospital;
$9.4 million for the F-16 Mission Training Center at Joint Base Andrews.
$12 million for a maintenance shop at the Army National Guard facility in Havre de Grace, which was appropriated last year but is at risk of re-programming due to a contract delay.
The legislation provides $1.49 billion to improve housing for military families with $135 million designated for mold, vermin and lead remediation, an on-going issue across the country. This funding was not included in President Trump's budget request.

"I am proud to represent a district and state home to many military facilities and families," said Congressman Ruppersberger, who sits on the Defense Appropriations subcommittee. "This bill will provide a direct benefit to them and all of our nation's heroes who make enormous sacrifices every day. It ensures our service members have the facilities they need to fight current and emerging threats, that veterans have access to quality healthcare and services, and that our military families have access to clean and safe housing."

Congressman Ruppersberger also successfully added language to the legislation that will require the Veterans Administration to explore a confidential, Internet-based, substance abuse education program for at-risk veterans.

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