Hoeven Statement on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill

Statement

Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after the Senate failed to break a filibuster of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which the Senate Appropriations Committee approved in a bipartisan vote of 21 to 9 in May. The measure was blocked today along party lines by a 50 to 44 vote. Only one Democrat, Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana, voted for the measure.

"The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill is one of the most important measures the Senate takes up, which is why I voted to bring it to the Senate floor. It funds not only essential construction and maintenance projects for the nation's military facilities, but also important programs for our veterans.

"These include funding for veterans' health services and benefits, military housing and family support, and hospital and military construction. Importantly for North Dakota veterans, the bill directs the VA to come up with solutions to help veterans access local health care when they live more than 40 miles from a VA medical facility that can't the serve their needs.

"In the larger picture, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill is just one of 12 appropriations bills that were approved in committee, many with both Republican and Democratic support, that are now being blocked on a partisan basis. Under the current Continuing Resolution, the Senate has a window of opportunity to restore regular order and do what the American people expect of us: to discuss, debate and pass important legislation in a timely and responsible manner."

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