Granger Remarks at FY23 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Markup

Jun 15, 2022
Statements

Madam Chair, thank you for presenting the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill today. I appreciate the work that you and Ranking Member Carter have done this year to fund many projects important to our Members.

Unfortunately, just like the other bills we marked up earlier today, this bill is based on a funding level that passed the House without Republican support. In addition, we disagree with policy provisions that were dropped from, and added to, this particular bill.

This bill fails to include long-standing language prohibiting the transfer of detainees currently at Guantanamo Bay. These detainees are the worst of the worst, and we need assurance that they will never be moved to the United States.     

The bill also goes well beyond our committee’s jurisdiction with the provisions and language regarding fertility treatments for veterans. This is a complicated issue that should be fully considered by the authorizing committee – the House Veterans Affairs Committee.  

We must move beyond these controversial provisions so that we may:

  • Fund the many important and needed military construction projects in the bill;
  • Improve military family housing and child development centers; and
  • Make certain that our veterans receive the healthcare they deserve and have earned.   

There is nothing more important than funding our nation’s military and veterans. We will work to resolve our differences as this process moves forward so that this important bill can be signed into law.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I yield back.