Washington, DC – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) today supported H.R. 5822, the FY 2011 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations annual spending bill. The House passed the legislation 411-6.
“This measure goes beyond simply funding war efforts, by providing resources here at home to support our heroes with the benefits they have earned and deserve,” Wittman said. “As they dutifully serve our country, our military men and women and their families must have adequate housing, health care and other services. America’s First District has a rich heritage of military service and dedication to the defense of our nation, and one of my top priorities in Congress is to support our military heroes and veterans. I’m proud to vote for this bill today.”

H.R. 5822 provides funding for military construction and veterans programs administered by the Federal government, and includes $1.2 billion in emergency spending for military construction overseas.  It provides $18.7 billion in funding for military construction projects, improvements, and planning and design for a variety of military facilities including operations, training, barracks, and medical care; $121 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans’ programs, including compensation for veterans and survivors, pension payments for disabled veterans, widows and children, housing credits, training and tuition assistance, and veterans’ medical care and treatment. $50.6 billion is allocated in advance appropriations for VA medical care in FY 2012, $10.4 billion is dedicated for the GI Education Benefits program, and $39.6 million for Arlington National Cemetery.
Photo by Ward Taylor