Historic bill increases support for veterans, makes VA funding more predictable

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree opened and led the debate on the floor of the U. S. House of Representatives this morning on the 2010 Military Construction/Veterans Administration Appropriations bill. The bill, which passed the House this afternoon, includes a major change in the way health care in the Veterans Administration is funded. Previously, the VA has relied on year-to-year appropriations from Congress, but the bill passed by the House today provides for two-year advanced funding.

“There is no doubt that the men and women of the armed forces have bravely served our country,” Pingree said on the floor this morning. “They have fought without question and without debate, and in doing so, they have sacrificed time with their families, risked their own well being and—all too often—they have sacrificed their lives.”

“By providing advance appropriations for the health care of our veterans, we can take steps to ensure that these benefits are not subject to ‘politics as usual.’”

With the passage of this bill, Congress has provided a 58% increase in funding for veterans health care and benefits since January, 2007.