Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today announced that the Appropriation Committee has passed the Emergency Supplemental Bill, which includes millions in funding for Military Construction/VA projects. As Chairman of the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, Johnson played a crucial role in including these projects in the legislation as the bill moved through the committee.
“This legislation will help address the needs of our military personnel and veterans, who all too often were underfunded by the past Administration,” said Johnson, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “With President Obama’s leadership, Congress is working hard to provide for those fighting overseas while also taking care of our returning veterans. I will continue fighting for projects important to our state and all servicemembers across the country.”
The Military Construction title of the Emergency Supplemental Bill totals $2.25 billion, primarily to support combat operations in Afghanistan, and to construct warrior support facilities in the United States.
Military Construction Highlights in the Bill Include:
Afghanistan – The bill fully funds the President’s request of $860.5 million for Army and Air Force military construction projects in Afghanistan to sustain current operations and to provide additional facilities to support the projected surge of U.S. military forces into Afghanistan.
Quality of Life Projects –Includes $765 million, fully funding the President’s request, to construct 9 warrior support facilities in the United States and 25 child development centers at military installations in the United States and overseas. The child care facilities, one of the top priorities for military families, will provide spaces for more than 5,000 children.
Walter Reed Medical Center–Includes $230.9 million to complete construction of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, including a Warrior Transition Center, and the Fort Belvoir, VA, Community Hospital.
Cybersecurity –Includes $181.5 million to begin construction of a National Security Agency data center to support the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative.
NATO Security Investment Program – Includes $100 million requested by the President to backfill a shortfall in funding for the NATO Security Investment Program due to currency exchange losses.
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For more information on Senator Tim Johnson visit his website at http://johnson.senate.gov.
