Home
RECENT NEWS
I'm honored to present the FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill to the House today.
This bill is special because it supports our troops and their families, and the Nation's veterans.
The bill provides $17.5 billion for military construction and family housing projects. This is less than the FY23 enacted amount. However, it is nearly $800 million above the President's request.
We focus this investment in the Pacific to deter China's aggressive and coercive actions. We also provide significant funding for new barracks and child development centers.
This bill fully funds veterans' programs at the level requested by the President. It keeps our promise to veterans, and we do more to help veterans in the Pacific. But we also ensure taxpayer funds are used appropriately and effectively by increasing oversight of several programs.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. McGovern, and members of the Committee. I want to thank each of you for the opportunity to testify on the FY24 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill.
This is a good bill because it supports our troops and their families and the Nation's veterans.
We provide almost $800 million above the budget request for military construction and family housing.
We focus this funding to deter China's aggression in the Pacific and on barracks and child development centers.
We fully fund veterans' programs at the requested level, while strengthening our oversight of the VA.
In response to VA's actions, this bill includes the Hyde Amendment. This will ensure tax dollars are not used to fund elective abortions.
I know my friend and ranking member, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, opposes this provision and several others.
WASHINGTON – Today, the Full Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2024 bill for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 33 to 27.
I am pleased to be here with my colleagues to present the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior bill.
I'd like to thank the Chairwoman for her strong support and leadership of the Committee. I appreciate the commitment and dedication it has taken to get us to this important step in the appropriations process.
I also want to recognize Ranking Member DeLauro and Ranking Member Pingree for their work on this bill. While we may not agree on some items in this bill, and there might be a little difference of opinion, I appreciate her commitment to the Subcommittee's issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with her over the coming months as we move the bill forward.
