Funding for Veterans Goes to President Trump

Washington, DC – Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, released the following statement after voting to send a bipartisan VA spending bill to President Trump.

“Serving our veterans is one of my priorities. This bill provides funding for critical reforms Republicans and President Trump have enacted, including the new VA Mission Act and claims processing for more than 450,000 veterans.  This bill is a step in the right direction and I will continue to work to improve service quality and efficiency that our veterans need and have earned.

“For the first time in 8 years, Congress is not funding these agencies through what is commonly called a Continuing Resolution – a slush fund that allows the agencies to follow their own path independent of proper congressional oversight. There is more work to be done if Congress is serious about reducing the spigot of spending, which requires returning to the budget process our Founding Fathers envisioned. I am committed to continuing to work with my House colleagues to produce and pass meaningful funding bills that put the United States on the path to restoring the American Dream for our children and grandchildren.”

H.R. 5895, the Conference Report for FY2019 Military Construction and VA Appropriations includes:

• Additional funding for ongoing care, including existing programs and MISSION Act programs like community care, caregivers, and other medical services (such as improved access to organ transplants).
• Funding to modernize the VA's electronic health record system to provide seamless care to veterans as they transition from military service.
• Medical care funding for mental health services, suicide prevention outreach, opioid abuse prevention and rural veteran health initiatives. 
• Upgrades to infrastructure needed for deterrence operations and unique training requirements to counter challenges posed by Russia and threats from the Middle East and Africa.
• Additional funding for family housing and prioritizes funding on construction in the United States for infrastructure and facilities on military bases to support to operations, housing and military families.

In addition to funding Military Construction and the VA, this minibus spending bill includes the Energy and Water Bill and the Legislative Branch Bill. This 3-bill package constitutes a quarter of the 12 spending bills that Congress must pass before September 30 to avoid relying on a Continuing Resolution yet again.

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