WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2019 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill on a vote of 47-0. The legislation will continue to rebuild the military, providing funding to house, train, and equip military personnel, and ensure resources for military families. The bill also provides robust funding for veterans’ benefits and programs.

In total, the legislation provides $96.9 billion in discretionary funding – $4.2 billion above the fiscal year enacted 2018 level. This includes $921.4 million in Overseas Contingency Operations funding.

Within this total, discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs is increased by $3.9 billion – 4.8 percent – over the fiscal year 2018 level, including funding to increase access to services for veterans, and to increase oversight and accountability within the department. This includes the advance funding provided for veterans in the fiscal year 2018 appropriations bill.

Military construction is increased by $412 million over the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. This funding will provide needed resources for our service members to face existing and emerging threats, and to care for military families.   

Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on the legislation:

“Providing critical resources for the men and women of our Armed Services and their families is a top priority of the Committee and the White House. We owe it to those who serve and fight for our freedom every day to ensure they have the necessary tools and support to do their jobs, and to give them the peace of mind that their families are well-cared for,” Chairman Frelinghuysen said. “Just as importantly, the bill also funds programs and services for our veterans, continuing our commitment to these brave men and women after they leave active service.”

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Charlie Dent also commented on his bill:

“The members of our subcommittee continue to demonstrate a strong, bipartisan commitment to the men and women in our armed services. We have worked to produce a bill that delivers on our promise to provide for the needs of those who have served our country and for those currently serving,” Chairman Dent said.

The following amendments to the bill were adopted by the full committee today:

Rep. Dent – The manager’s amendment makes technical and noncontroversial changes to the bill and report. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.

For a bill summary, please visit: https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395270

For the draft text of the bill, please visit: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP18/20180426/108246/BILLS-115HR-SC-AP-FY2019-MilCon-SubcommitteeDraft.pdf

For the draft bill report, please visit: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20180508/108282/HRPT-115-HR-FY2019-MilCon.pdf

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