WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced the fiscal year 2009 Military Construction/Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense spending bills include $1.4 billion in defense and military-related spending in Maryland and billions in critical funding for veterans health care and benefits. Both bills passed the Senate today as part of the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act. That legislation now heads to the President to be signed into law.

The Department of Defense (DOD) spending bill provides equipment and funding for the operations of the United States military. This includes tens of thousands of uniformed and civilian employees in Maryland involved in many different activities such as weapons research and development, intelligence gathering and analysis, and military medical care.

“We need to do everything we can to support our troops with the equipment they need on the battlefield, the benefits and services they deserve when they return home, and support for their families on the home front. We know how critical these funds are for our troops to fulfill their mission and return home safely,” said Senator Mikulski. “I will keep fighting to put money in the federal checkbook for our troops.”

“We have no greater obligation as elected officials than our duty to take care of our troops and their families who have sacrificed on our behalf," said Senator Cardin. "I am pleased that this bill sets the right priorities for providing critical equipment and training, strengthening military health care for our troops and their families, and giving our military families the support services and living conditions they deserve."

The $2.4 million in the DOD Appropriations Bill will be used to complete development of a Heavy Duty Hybrid Electric Vehicle for the U.S. Air Force. This project is aimed at reducing dangerous emissions and greatly improving fuel economy. The work will be performed by Volvo Powertrain in Hagerstown.

The Military Construction/Veterans Affairs spending bill also includes $87.9 billion funding for critical Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, including $41 billion in discretionary funding to improve the quality of facilities and care offered by the Veteran’s Health Administration, which is $3.5 billion more than the President’s budget request. This includes $375 million that will allow the VA to enroll thousands of Priority 8 veterans previously not eligible for benefits. The bill also provides $94 million above the President’s budget request to hire at least 1100 additional claims processors to address the backlog of compensation, pension, and disability claims. It also rejects the President’s proposal to cut assistance for homeless veterans.

“I told Maryland’s military leaders I would fight for this funding. My promises made are promises kept,” said Senator Mikulski. “A stronger America begins at home. That’s why I fight every year to make sure our military has the tools it needs to keep us safe. I will keep up my work to make sure Maryland communities have the resources in the federal checkbook to implement BRAC recommendations and sustain our military installations.”

“I am proud that this bill contains the resources necessary to provide Maryland’s installations and communities with the resources needed to implement the BRAC recommendations, care for our veterans, and improve the quality of life for military families,” said Senator Cardin. “This legislation is critical to our country’s current and future military mission.”