Ranking Member DeLauro Statement at the Full Committee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Funding Bill
WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the Committee's markup of the fiscal year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill:
Thank you Chairman Cole, and thank you Chairman Carter, and Ranking Member Wasserman-Schultz. As I said in the past, I think you allow us to reflect on how important it is for people to work together to produce a bill that maybe doesn’t get everything you want but really provides the resources that are necessary for the constituents we serve.
It’s not the process were engaged in, but the process gets us to what the resources are that help to make a difference in the lives of the people who put their faith and trust in us to be here.
And to you Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Wasserman-Schultz, thank you for that effort and success at that effort.
I want to thank Farouk Ophaso and Tyler Coe on the minority staff, along with their counterparts Justin Massuci, Jason Wheelock, and Ariana Delgado in the majority as well, for all their hard work on this bill.
We don’t get here, and to stand here on the dais and speak about these bills without the work of the staff of this committee, which is exceptional, on both sides of the aisle. So thank you.
In this bill it is important that we not lose sight of what our responsibility is on this Committee, and with this bill. That is, to take care of our veterans – to return to the men and women who have served this country in uniform the same commitment and dedication that they have showed to all of us through their service.
The bill we are marking up today makes progress to that end in certain regards, while in some areas it falls short.
The bill does not keep our commitment to our NATO allies, falling short of what we promised for NATO’s infrastructure program. There are also several divisive policy riders which remain in this bill which I will oppose.
For example, a rider which would make it more difficult to prevent veterans suffering from mental health crises from acquiring a firearm, despite posing a risk to themselves or others.
However, the bill still represents a marked improvement over years past, I commend the Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee for their bipartisan progress on this measure.
I am glad that we were able to reach an agreement in the manager’s amendment on advance funding for the Toxic Exposure Fund to keep our commitments to our veterans under the PACT Act. This will go a long way to providing support for veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals in the line of duty, and who deserve stable and reliable access to care.
We were also able to reach an agreement on a provision in the manager’s amendment to withhold 25 percent of the budget for the office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs until they testify before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. This is an important provision, it asserts Congress’s power of the purse and reclaim our Constitutional authority over federal spending.
I am glad that this bill increases funding for Suicide Prevention and Treatment Programs, including suicide prevention outreach. Although progress has been made, the veteran suicide rate remains higher than the population at large, and it is clear we must do more to address this tragic situation.
I am also supportive of the increase in funding for Rural Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs, which provide much needed support for veterans across the country.
And I am glad to see that this bill increases funding for women’s healthcare, helping to ensure the women who have served our country, that they are able to get the care that they need.
Overall, the bill increases funding for the VA by more than $4 billion. It boosts funding for Veterans Medical Care by $6.5 billion. These are important resources that will go a long way to supporting the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform.
This is far from a perfect bill, but when have we ever produced a perfect bill. Bu it is undoubtedly better than it has been in years past. I look forward to continuing to work with our colleagues to address some of the remaining issues, with the hope that we can come to an agreement that passes with broad bipartisan support. Thank you and I yield back.
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