Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. I thank the chairman for yielding the time.

Mr. Chair, I rise tonight to support this first bill of the 2017 appropriations cycle. Shepherding through appropriations legislation is the constitutional duty of the Congress, and so here we go.

The passage of these bills in a timely fashion is in the best interest of the Nation. It will help provide for our national security, the stability of our economy, and give certainty to all Americans who count on the Federal Government's programs and services. I believe this bill, in particular, starts off this process on the right foot.

H.R. 4974 is a balanced, bipartisan piece of legislation that provides critical funding for our troops, their families, and our veterans. We have made a commitment to our servicemen and -women that we will care for them during and after their service, and this bill helps fulfill that promise.

In total, as you have heard, the bill provides $81.6 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Defense infrastructure and quality-of-life programs as well as for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This represents a $1.8 billion increase above current levels. This increase is directed to Veterans Affairs programs, which receive a 3 percent bump above fiscal year 2016 levels.

Of the total $73.5 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, $52.5 billion will support the VA's medical services, which is funding that will treat some 7 million patients this year. In particular, I want to highlight funding increases that will address mental health care, suicide prevention, hepatitis C treatment, and homelessness. The increase will also help the VA tackle some of its greatest challenges-- reducing the disability claims backlog and continuing the modernization of the electronic health records system to ensure no gaps in care occur as our current troops become veterans.

This bill also provides funding to support our Active Duty military and their families whether they are at home or abroad. Funding for hospitals, educational facilities, and housing tells our servicemembers that they have the full backing of their government as they lay their lives on the lines for this Nation. Beyond these quality-of-life programs, military construction funding is prioritized to respond to threats around the globe, including Russia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

While overall funding is increased in the bill, the committee took many steps to ensure that every cent of taxpayers' money is spent responsibly and with good purpose. We made difficult decisions to find savings wherever possible. The bill also includes good-government provisions that increase oversight for the VA, helping to stop waste and improve service for our veterans.

Mr. Chair, this is a very good bill, one I am proud to support. I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Congressman Dent, for his leadership. I want to thank the ranking member, Mr. Bishop, and the rest of the subcommittee for their teamwork and their effort in bringing the bill to the floor today.

Lastly, I join the chair and ranking member in thanking the staff for the many hours they put in helping to usher this bill to the floor today. Caring for our troops and veterans is a great responsibility, and the subcommittee and our staff have not taken that responsibility lightly.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill. It is balanced; it is responsible; and it needs to be passed.

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