Barbara Mikulski: “we have fully funded the VA including a $1.5 billion increase over the President's request for VA medical care. We have…”

“we have fully funded the VA including a $1.5 billion increase over the President's request for VA medical care. We have provided $28.5 billion for medical care, a 12 percent increase over last year's level. with no deductibles, no co-pays, and no membership fees for veterans. Promises made to our veterans must be promises kept and we have kept our promises to veterans in this bill. In the area of housing and community development, we continue our commitment to core housing programs, including Community Development Block Grants, HOME, HOPE VI, and Section 8. These programs provide flexible funding for local communities for a range of activities, such as new rental housing, rehabilitation of dilapidated properties, and child care centers. Last year, CDBG funds created or retained over 100,000 jobs nationwide. We also keep our commitment to the environment helping local communities protect their citizens' health and their environment. EPA helps communities by cleaning up Brownfields, improving air quality, and fixing water and sewer systems. We provide $8.2 billion to the EPA, $105 million above last year, and $500 million above the President's budget request.”