Senate leader aims for MilCon-VA passage Tuesday
For the first time, the bill includes pre-approved appropriations for the VA's medical programs.
The Senate on Friday resumed work on the $133.9 billion fiscal 2010 Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill, which Senate Democratic leaders hope to pass before Veterans Day.
That gives the Senate Monday and Tuesday to finish the measure before recessing for the week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he hopes the Senate will be able to begin voting on amendments Monday evening.
"In years past we have finished this bill in a couple of hours," Reid said. He added that wrangling with Republicans has slowed the Senate's progress on annual spending legislation this year.
The measure, which is $7.1 billion more than fiscal 2009 levels, includes $76.7 billion in discretionary spending, which is $439 million more than requested by President Obama.
The bill provides $109 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department, including $53.2 billion in discretionary funding, $150 million above Obama's request. Total medical care funding for the VA is $44.7 billion, $4.2 billion over fiscal 2009.
The legislation also approves $23.2 billion for military construction projects, $286 million more than Obama's request.
For the first time, the bill includes pre-approved appropriations -- $48.2 billion for fiscal 2011 -- for the VA's medical programs, as a way to ensure uninterrupted funding.
Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said on Friday he plans to offer an amendment to add $50 million to VA funding to renovate empty buildings and VA medical campuses to provide housing and services to homeless veterans.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., said he intends to offer an amendment to add $6 million to the VA's Grant and Per Diem program, which provides capital and operational resources to assist homeless veterans. The amendment would boost funding in the program to $150 million.
Johnson said he intends to accept Udall's amendment.