Military construction-VA package passes Senate subcommittee

The Senate Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved a nearly $134 billion spending package for fiscal 2010 on Monday.

The subcommittee moved the bill by unanimous consent without any amendments. It provides $133.9 billion, including $76.7 billion in discretionary spending. On June 24, the House Appropriations Committee approved a $133 billion total spending package.

Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said the discretionary spending was more than $439.1 million over President Obama's request, and $3.8 billion more than fiscal 2009 enacted spending.

The bill approves $109 billion total for the Veterans' Affairs Department, including $53.2 billion in discretionary funding, $150 million above Obama's request. Total medical care funding for VA is $44.7 billion.

Johnson said the subcommittee has "done our best to address both the needs of the military and our veterans in this legislation."

The bill provides $48.2 billion in advance appropriations for the VA for fiscal 2011, Johnson added. The advance appropriations include $37.1 billion for medical services, $5.3 billion for medical support and compliance and $5.7 billion for medical facilities.

The VA funding includes $2.1 billion for health care for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a $463 million increase over fiscal 2009, and $5.9 billion for long-term care for aging veterans and severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It also includes $1.9 billion for VA hospital and clinic construction.

Subcommittee ranking member Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, praised the bill, and said it was "good that construction needs are met." Hutchison was pleased that $7.5 billion for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure program was included, and said fully funding the program would ensure it would finish on time in 2011.

The bill also provides $1.4 billion for military construction projects in Afghanistan.