Washington, D.C. – House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) addressed the House floor today in support of the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (H.R. 8580). They emphasized the bill's commitment to fully fund health care and benefits for veterans, support military families, and enhance America's defense capabilities.
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Carter stated, “This special bill supports our troops, their families, and the nation’s veterans. The bill makes good on the Republican commitment to bring bills to the floor that comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act while honoring our commitment to our nation’s veterans and our troops. To honor that commitment, the bill provides full funding for health care and benefits for veterans. They have earned these benefits, and we are making good on our promise to them. To provide for those that wear the uniform now, the bill includes $412 million over the Budget Request to support crucial investments in barracks and family housing. We must keep our word to provide for our service members and their families. In addition, we provide robust funding to build upon last year’s work to enable the Department of Defense to meet challenges in the Indo-Pacific.”
Chairman Cole added, “There are many things that set our nation apart from others. One of our greatest differentiators is the sustained call to service Americans have met generation after generation. Those who have worn the uniform, past and present, took an oath to defend our country, our ideals, and our people. Just as our veterans and troops answered the call of duty, so must this chamber in meeting our constitutional obligations. That is why it is deeply fitting that the first Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill we take up covers military construction and Veterans Affairs, two of the highest priorities for this nation. The bill provides robust funding for military construction projects with a particular focus on the Pacific region and military family housing… Even more importantly, the legislation provides full funding for health care and benefits for our nation’s veterans.”
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