On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill for the fiscal year of 2024.
According to Congressman Steve Womack, the legislation exceeds the Department of Defense’s Military Construction budget request and secures key defense priorities, including $75.5 million for three Fort Smith Ebbing Air National Guard Base projects, full funding for veterans’ health programs and investments in the Pacific region.
Womack states, “The important Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill is now one step closer to becoming law, which is a win for Fort Smith and veterans across Arkansas and the nation. I ensured critical construction projects for the FMS mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base were included, and I’m proud the bill fully funds veterans’ healthcare and benefits. This legislation reaffirms my commitment to strengthening our national security presence in Fort Smith and my unwavering support for the brave men and women who served this great nation. Now we must turn our focus to finding a way to pass all 11 remaining bills to avert a CR or a government shutdown.”
The legislation is said to honor the commitment to veterans by fully funding the President’s budget request for Veterans Affairs; fully funding veterans’ healthcare programs; and fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs, including the electronic health record modernization initiative.
The legislation also provides $800 million above the President’s budget request for military construction, focusing investments in the Pacific theater, barracks and other projects; maintaining two provisions prohibiting the closure or realignment of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and providing $75.5 million for the three base projects.
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