House Passes Record Increases in 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill

House Passes Record Increases in 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) hailed the passage of H.R 2642, the 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. This legislation provides $64.7 billion for America's veterans and armed forces, which is the largest single increase in benefits in the 77 year history of the Veterans Administration.

"Under the new Democratic Leadership, Congress fulfilled its commitment and promise to our nation's veterans and armed forces today by providing historic increases in funding to improve their health care and benefits,... said U.S. Representative Schakowsky. "I am delighted that we were able to pass a bill that is worthy of the service and sacrifice that these brave men and women in uniform have made to our country....

The Military Construction and Veterans Appropriations Bill:

• Increases the VA budget by $6.7 billion above the FY07 level and $3.8 billion above the President's request.
• Ensures quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, which the VA will treat in FY08.
• Significantly reduces the 400,000 claims backlog for veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors.
• Provides increased funding for maintenance of VA health care facilities to prevent a Walter Reed-type scandal from occurring again.
• Provides $2.9 billion in military housing and $2.8 billion to increase the size of the Army by 65,000, the Marine Corps by 27,000, and the Guard and Reserve by 9,200 over the next five years.

This bill was strongly supported by all the major veterans groups, including Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America, Association of the United States Army, National Association for Uniformed Services, and AMVets.