on Friday, lawmakers Barry Moore (R-AL02) voted yes. 2024 Military Construction, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriation bill. The bill, which aims to fully fund veterans’ health care programs, will support a strong national defense by funding $17 billion in military construction projects. It also includes provisions banning VA funding for abortion, critical racial theories, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
“This bill is a win for the 377,000 veterans who rely on veterans’ care and benefits after serving their country in their home state of Alabama,” Moore said. “Rather than extinguish innocent lives or use tax dollars to support an enlightened effort that prioritizes pronouns over performance, House Republicans are committed to caring for these heroes and investing in the future of the military. I am focusing.”
2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill:
Fully funded VA Healthcare program
Cover all VA benefits
Invest in the Pacific theater and new barracks
• Prohibits closure or restructuring of Guantanamo Bay.
Prohibit funding of abortions through the VA
Prohibit funding of significant race theory and DEI initiatives
“This bill before us will adequately and responsibly fund medical care for veterans,” said the appropriations committee chair. Kay Granger. “This will ensure that veterans receive proper care.”
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes funding totaling $317 billion for the Department of Defense (Military Construction and Family Housing), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and related agencies. Of the total amount, $155 billion will be provided for discretionary funding and $161.74 billion for mandatory programs. Of the total discretionary powers, $17.474 billion is for Defense Department military construction projects, nearly $800 million more than the president’s budget request. The measure also provides $137.755 billion in discretionary funds in addition to the $20.268 billion War Poison Exposure Expenses Fund included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 to help the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2024. will be fully funded by Also included is a total of $471.7 million to four related institutions.
House Democrats opposed the bill.their stated reason My reasons for opposing this bill are:
Worse readiness by reducing military construction by more than $1.5 billion compared to current levels, but does not include dedicated funding for PFAS remediation and cleanup, or climate change and resilience projects for military installations. do not have.
· Women’s access to abortion is further restricted.
• Impairs the quality of life of veterans. Veterans are dependent on programs across the federal government. House Republican proposals to cut critical domestic investment in other bills to levels not seen in years, or even decades, would cut the education, employment, and other benefits that veterans and their families depended on. It robs them of opportunities, housing and food aid.
You cannot claim to support veterans by giving them a roof over their heads without giving them access to education and training at every stage of life while making it difficult for them to support their families.
It included a partisan change to the current law known as “Ryder” that Democrats would never support, instead of making the VA a welcoming and inclusive place for all volunteers who serve the country. Deprive veterans of their rights. We did not make promises to specific service members in exchange for their service and sacrifice.we promised everyone
HR 4366 passed the House as an amendment 219 to 211 in line with a largely partisan vote. The bill is now on its way to the Senate, where a very different bill could be passed. The two versions are ultimately decided by a meeting committee.
Barry Moore is in his second term as a representative of Alabama’s second congressional district. He previously served as Rep. Enterprise in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 until he was 2018.
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