REP. CASTRO ANNOUNCES $44 MILLION FOR SAN ANTONIO MILITARY PROJECTS

Washington, D.C– Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) announced $44.1 million for two military projects in San Antonio as part of the 2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R 4486). 

$5.8 million will help fund the construction of a fire station at the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC). Currently, fire units stationed in the main base of Fort Sam Houston provide the firefighting and emergency response to the SAMMC complex. Because of the great size of Joint Base San Antonio, however, the current situation does not allow for a consistent and timely emergency response.

$38.3 million will be used to replace the aging Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Reid Trainee Clinic. The Clinic was originally built in 1967 and it no longer has the capacity for its current mission. The Clinic trains 86,000 military personnel annually. 

Importantly for the 1.7 million veterans living in Texas, the bill also funds veterans’ programs, medical services, benefit claims and addresses Veteran Affairs backlog issues.

“San Antonio has a proud tradition as Military City, USA,” said Congressman Castro. “The military men and women who have come to our city over the years have contributed greatly not just in our local community, but also as defenders of our freedoms. That is why I’m proud to support legislation that ensures our soldiers are safe and have the necessary resources to carry out their mission.”

Background:

The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act provides funding for the programs and infrastructure that our military and their families rely on in the U.S. and abroad.

This is the first of the twelve appropriations bills that the House of Representatives will consider for Fiscal Year 2015. 

###