Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Berman voted to support our troops and honor our veterans by funding critical veterans health services and the construction of key facilities for training and housing our military.  A strong commitment to our veterans is a hallmark of the current Congress, and this legislation builds on the record of historic funding to provide veterans with the benefits they earned through their brave service.  

This bill strengthens quality health care services so many veterans rely on, and funds the construction of barracks that define our troops’ quality of life.  These are absolute necessities for the brave men and women who serve our nation.

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act will strengthen quality health care for more than six million patients – including 419,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill also provides advance funds for veterans health services in 2011, so that funding for our veterans’ health care is timely and reliable.

The legislation includes improvements in electronic health records and paperless benefits processing to make veterans health care more efficient, additional oversight and auditing of our veterans health care system, and new practices to improve access to care for veterans in rural areas.  The bill also invests in mental health services and critical medical and prosthetic research to serve our wounded warriors returning from battle.  

To support our troops, the bill provides funding to construct key facilities for training and housing, addressing the unfunded backlog of barracks for the young men and women entering the service.  It also includes funding for the guard and reserve initiative, to recognize the critical contribution made by reserve personnel and address urgent unfunded requirements.  It takes additional steps to support the military families who give so much in service to this country – with military child care centers, military family housing, and additional Vets Centers to provide community-based readjustment counseling for veterans and their families.

This legislation gives veterans the services they have earned, showing the nation’s gratitude for their service and immeasurable sacrifice.