WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, applauded committee passage of the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations (MilCon-VA) bill. Murphy secured funding for the construction of a Small Air Terminal at Bradley International Airport to support Connecticut’s Air National Guard’s eight C-130s aircraft. The bill also allocates $75.1 billion in funding for Veterans Affairs – a $3.4 billion increase over last year’s budget. 

The MilCon-VA bill also includes Murphy’s bipartisan amendment to help merchant seamen who served during World World II earn veteran status. Murphy introduced the amendment, which is based on his World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act, with US. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). The amendment passed by a vote of 20-10 after numerous senators on both sides of the aisle debated the issue. 

“I fought for a seat on the Appropriations Committee so I could advocate for Connecticut priorities, and today shows why. This bill will bring money back home to help finalize construction of the Connecticut Air National Guard’s new terminal at Bradley Airport, and to better provide Connecticut’s 200,000 veterans with the timely crisis care and housing support they deserve. 

“I fought to include new recognition for U.S. Merchant Mariners – who supported our troops during World War II, but had trouble proving their service – to finally receive the recognition they deserve. The bottom line is that we have a lot to celebrate in today’s bill. It increases resources for our men and women in uniform across the board. It's an honor to fight every single day for Connecticut's service members and veterans, and I'm proud that our hard work paid off in their benefit today.”

Highlights of the MilCon-VA bill include:

• $6.3 million for the Small Air Terminal at Bradley International Airport – a 17,800 square foot facility for passenger processing, cargo prep, and parachute packing in support of Connecticut’s 103rd “Flying Yankees” Airlift Wing’s C-130 operations, which are based out of Connecticut.
• $113 million in associated military construction projects to support the European Reassurance Initiative that will boost transatlantic security
• An additional $20 million over the President’s request for Supportive Services for Veterans Families to support homeless veterans
• Funding for an additional 100 staffers in the VA Office of Inspector General
• $8.2 million to fully fund the Veterans Crisis Line
• An additional $30 million to increase staffing at the Veterans Benefit Administration
• An additional $20 million for gender specific (female) health concerns