Delaney Increases Funding for Military Families with Fisher Houses Amendment

WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has successfully introduced a measure to increase federal funding for Fisher Houses by $16 million. Fisher Houses are designed to be a “home away from home” for the families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Families stay for free while the patient is receiving care.

The Delaney amendment passed by voice vote Wednesday and will be included in the final version of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 4870). The increase in funding for Fisher Houses was fully offset by a $24 million dollar decrease in the $32 billion dollar Operation and Maintenance Defense-wide account, where outlays are usually only 67% of budget authority.

“Recent reports of problems at the VA have underscored the need for us to marshal additional resources in this most critical national area,” said Congressman Delaney. “Fisher Houses are a tremendous resource for veterans and their families; allowing them to avoid financial hardship so that they can be together when one of our heroes is receiving care.  My amendment will allow the Fisher House Foundation to build new homes across the country. I thank my colleagues for supporting my amendment and look forward to building further support for this worthy cause.”

Delaney also successfully introduced an amendment to increase funding for Fisher House last year, but the amendment was not included in the final conference version of Defense Appropriations.

The Fisher House Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that builds these homes and then donates them to the U.S. government. 

Currently, there are 63 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers across the country. Fisher Houses are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or provide transportation for guests.

Since 1990, the Fisher House Foundation has provided more than five million days of lodging to more than 180,000 families.

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