July 29, 2010

House Approves Buyer Amendments to MilCon/VA Appropriations Bill; Ensures Funding for Paralympics, Renewable Energy, and VocRehab

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence (202) 225-3527

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Ranking Member Steve Buyer successfully added three amendments to the fiscal 2011 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, H.R. 5822, to secure funding for the VA-US Paralympic Sports Program, increase funding for renewable energy projects, and increase Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staffing for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E).

“My first amendment would provide $10 million in VA funding for the VA-US Paralympic Adaptive Sports Grant Program, which establishes partnerships with local adaptive sports programs,” Buyer said. “US Paralympics currently has over 100 of these partnerships in place across the nation to provide one of the most valuable rehabilitative therapies available to our wounded warriors.”

 

“When I had the pleasure of visiting the US Olympic Committee training site in San Diego, California, I saw first-hand how sports strengthen these heroes physically, mentally and emotionally.”

 

“These qualities of the heart and mind translated into other areas of life often lead to great success and accomplishments, and I am pleased this amendment was accepted.”

 

“My second amendment would provide $162.7 million to fund renewable energy projects at VA medical facility campuses. As the second largest federal department operating the largest health care system in the nation, the VA is uniquely positioned to advance the use of alternative sources of energy.”

    

“VA has identified 60 solar, wind, and geothermal projects in sixteen regions nationwide. This amendment would not only ensure that these projects receive the funding they warrant but would also allow VA to move forward with additional solar power initiatives.”

 

“Savings accrued from an increased reliance on alternative energy, would allow additional resources to be devoted to improving the care and services to our veterans, and reducing the rising budget deficit.”

 

 “My third amendment would stipulate that $10 million in VA’s General Operating Expenses account would be used to fund one hundred additional Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program staff members in effort to reduce the waiting time for disabled veterans.”

 

 “The goal of VR&E is to put disabled veterans back to work or for the most severely disabled, to live as independently as possible.”

 

“VA’s counselors currently have an average caseload of over 130 disabled veterans.  This heavy workload involves numerous case management tasks and regular interaction with clients. As a result of the time-consuming nature of this work, it takes about six months just to enter into the program. I am deeply pleased that this amendment has been approved to address this issue.”

  

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:

 

http://republicans.veterans.house.gov/

 

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