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WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the House passed the legislation that will ensure continued operations of the federal government into next spring while also providing critically important funding for the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs. Following the passage of the legislation, which funds our warfighters, port security and first responder programs, and includes historic funding for veterans’ programs, Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) made the following statement:
“This important legislation provides historic increases for our nation’s veterans and homeland security programs, while removing restrictions on offshore drilling – a major victory for Americans who have struggled all year with high energy prices. Additionally, it meets the needs of our nation’s warfighters – not only through meeting their equipment needs but also through supporting military families.
I am most proud of the bipartisan commitment to our nation’s veterans contained in this legislation. The funding included in today’s bill will allow for more middle class veterans to access the VA health system while ensuring that returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan have access to the health care they need. Our nation’s ports, including the Port of Charleston, will see more resources to enhance their security under this bill, and the bill specifically provides for enhancements to Project SEAHAWK.”
The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, of 2009 (H.R. 2368) provides $487.7 billion for the Department of Defense, $40 billion for the Department of Homeland Security and $72.9 billion for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. Below are some highlights of the legislation:
• $2 million to complete the installation of a high-energy transmission x-ray system at the Port of Charleston’s Project SEAHAWK. The funding included in this legislation will make Charleston the only port in the US with a mobile “backscatter” x-ray system that allows screeners to see photo-like images of a container’s contents. Congressman Brown also secured language that will require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a plan for the long-term sustainment of Project SEAHAWK.
• Provides a historic $47.6 billion for our nation’s veterans, including major increases to VA health care that will allow more middle class veterans to access the VA health system. The bill also adds 2,000 claims processors to work on the backlog of VA benefits claims. Congressman Brown has worked to more than double VA funding since 2001.
• 3.9% pay increase for military personnel in FY 2009, half a percentage point more than the President's request. The bill also includes some $25.8 billion for military medical care and $2.8 billion for family support programs.
• Continues the bipartisan tradition of rejecting fee increases for our nation’s veterans who receive health care through the VA or TRICARE.
• Provides $4.2 billion for first responder and port security grant programs, a $2 billion increase on the President’s request. Specifically, the bill provides $775 million for programs that help local fire departments address communication, equipment, and staffing problems, $35 million for the construction of emergency operations centers, $400 million to protect critical transit infrastructure, including freight rail and Amtrak, and $400 million for port security programs to implement the port security requirements of the Safe Ports Act.
• Almost $5 billion to fund immigration and customs enforcement efforts, including $1 billion to identify and deport dangerous criminal aliens and $99.7 million to assist state and locals with immigration enforcement efforts.
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