Jack Reed: “I commend Senator Hutchison for her hard work and that of her staff. She has been a very positive and laudable member of…”

“I commend Senator Hutchison for her hard work and that of her staff. She has been a very positive and laudable member of the committee. She has vast experience, having served on the committee many years, and has made a major contribution to this legislation, and she should be acknowledged for that contribution. Mr. President, this is a critically important piece of legislation, and I hope that the Senate will act on it expeditiously. Both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the veterans service organizations have urged prompt action on this bill, and the President himself has cited the importance of not delaying crucial funding for our Nation's veterans and military forces. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill funds urgently needed investments in the facilities in which our military forces and their families live and work and train for battle. It also provides funding for the benefits and medical care acutely needed by our Nation's veterans. The bill before the Senate today provides a total of $109.2 billion in funding, including $64.7 billion in discretionary funds. In all, the discretionary funding is $4 billion over the President's budget request. As Senator Hutchison said, the President is prepared to sign the legislation as it is.”