HOUSE APPROVES FINAL VERSION OF MILITARY CONSTRUCTION FUNDING BILL

INCLUDES $11.6 BILLION IN DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR FLORIDA AND OTHER AREAS DAMAGED BY HURRICANES/PROVIDES $12 MILLION SOUGHT BY STEARNS FOR CAMP BLANDING

WASHINGTON, OCT. 9, 2004 - "In addition to funding military construction programs, the final version of this measure includes $11.6 billion in badly needed disaster assistance to help Florida and other states ravaged by the hurricanes," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  "Much of this disaster assistance, $6.5 billion, goes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), that we know so well in Florida for providing direct assistance to individuals and families, offering emergency food and shelter, and paying for debris removal and infrastructure repairs.  In addition, it provides $12 million I sought for a construction program at Camp Blanding."

The House today approved H.R.4837, the Military Construction Appropriations Act, which, in addition to disaster assistance funding, provides $10 billion for military construction programs and military-family housing.  "A 2001 Defense Department (DoD) study found that 60 percent of DoD housing units were substandard," added Stearns.  "The men and women of our military endure hardships and sacrifice in defending our freedoms, and they deserve better housing for themselves and their families.  This bill increases funding over last year's level to $4 billion for family and military-personnel housing." 

H.R. 4837 also includes needed funding for construction programs of the National Guard and reserve forces. "This $12 million for Camp Blanding will support the Regional Training Institute at Blanding, which provides military specialty training, non-commissioned officer training, and the officer candidate school for the South East United States," explained Stearns.  "The Institute's current facilities are World War II vintage and are inadequate to meet the daily needs of the average 800 students per cycle.  The proposed facility is designed to meet training, conferencing, and accreditation requirements."