OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3082, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010

Date: July 10, 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Military Personnel Veterans


PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3082, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010 -- (House of Representatives - July 10, 2009)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. POLIS. I rise today in support of H.R. 3082, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriation Act for fiscal year 2010, and the rule. I'd like to thank Chairman Edwards of the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriation Committee as well as Chairman Obey for their hard work and as well the dedicated work of their staff in bringing this bill before us.

This legislation truly reflects our commitment to improving the quality of life for our service men and women as well as our veterans, who have given so much to defend the freedoms that we enjoy every day.

In the midst of an economic crisis and a war on two fronts, fully funding the Veterans Affairs bill is critical to our country's ability to address the needs of our veterans and our military families. This bill authorizes funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund a number of worthy projects, such as building housing for our troops, mental health services and grants for the construction of extended care facilities and veterans' cemeteries.

As a Coloradan, I am particularly pleased to see that the Fitzsimons Veterans Affairs Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, will receive $119 million as part of the Military Construction bill. It is absolutely crucial for the State of Colorado and for the veterans in my district to have access to quality care close to their homes.

I am very grateful to Secretary Shinseki and his staff, who invited those of us from the Colorado delegation to the Department of Veterans Affairs to make this announcement last month. They have truly recognized the urgency of completing a project that has been torn by uncertainty and going back to the drawing board for many, many years and finally moved forward in funding this Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Act. This bill will help ensure that the Obama administration continues to move quickly forward. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule and vote ``yes'' on final passage of H.R. 3082.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward