On the recordJuly 27, 2021
I thank Chair DeLauro for her leadership during this process and for yielding. The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies division of the bill highlights our continued commitment to our servicemembers and to their families and to our veterans. Constructing the barracks, bases, and training facilities that our military needs is crucial to our country's military readiness. Properly funding the Department of Veterans Affairs is how we deliver on the promise of medical care and other benefits that our veterans have earned through service to our Nation. The Related Agencies, including the American Battle Monuments Commission and Arlington National Cemetery, demonstrate how we honor the sacrifices of those who served. That is why I am proud that that bill contains $124.5 billion in discretionary funding, an $11.4 billion increase above the enacted funding level, and $1.3 billion above the President's budget request. For Military Construction, we provide $10.9 billion for critical infrastructure on military installations, including for seven new child development centers, and to address issues such as mold, vermin, and lead in military family housing. The bill also invests in climate change and energy resilience at our military bases and provides $150 million for PFAS cleanup at contaminated installations.…





