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

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4974, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017.

Although I strongly support the bill's funding for programs that support our nation's service members and veterans, the legislation contained too many harmful provisions to earn my vote. Regrettably, the bill included language allowing federal contractors to discriminate against LGBT employees, as well as language to prevent the closing of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. I was also concerned by the adoption of anti-labor amendments that will jeopardize the rights of workers on military construction projects.

Though I oppose the final bill for those reasons, there were several provisions in the legislation that I support, including greater investments in providing care to our veterans, and funding for military housing, infrastructure, and other services to give our men and women in uniform and their families the facilities and care they deserve. I hope to work with my colleagues to improve this legislation as the appropriations process continues.

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