House Passes Delaney Amendment to Increase Funding for Fisher House, Help Veterans and Active Duty Military

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan amendment by Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) to increase federal support for the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit that partners with the military to provide free lodging near Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military hospitals to the families of veterans and service-members receiving care. The Delaney Amendment was considered during floor debate on Wednesday and was adopted by voice vote. In March, Delaney led a bipartisan letter signed by thirty House Members calling for increased federal support for Fisher House in the federal budget.

The Delaney Amendment is cosponsored by Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rep. Walter Jones (NC-3) and Rep. Ted Yoho (FL-3) and increases annual federal funding from $5 million to $10 million, helping Fisher House build new facilities to meet growing demand.  

“No veteran or military member should spend their time in the hospital alone,” said Congressman Delaney. “Fisher House helps families stay together. Our bipartisan amendment is designed to help Fisher House build new facilities and serve more families, because the need is growing each day. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the House for their support and look forward to continuing to work across the aisle to make sure that we keep our sacred promise to support America’s heroes.”  

As a public-private partnership, Fisher House builds facilities and then donates them to the United States government. Fisher House lodging is 100% free and offers families apartment-style accommodations, often within walking distance from hospitals. The increase in federal support for Fisher House is fully offset by a reduction in the DOD Operations & Maintenance Account, an administrative overhead account which is not fully spent.   

Since taking office in 2013, Delaney has offered an amendment to increase funding for Fisher House each year. In 2013, 2014, and 2015 the House has passed amendments offered by Delaney during consideration of Department of Defense Appropriations to increase federal support for Fisher House. Since 1990, over 277,000 families have been served by Fisher House, which has an A+ grade from Charity Watch and a four out of four star rating from Charity Navigator.

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