SE Kansas News

Washington, D.C. – On June 13, 2023, during a House Appropriations Full Committee Markup, Congressman Jake LaTurner (KS-02) voted to advance the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill out of committee. This legislation increases funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by more than $16 billion from FY23 funding levels.

"As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I promised Kansans that I would do everything in my power to protect veterans' benefits. I'm proud that the bill Republicans passed out of committee today will fully fund veterans’ health care, the PACT Act, and other critical VA programs," said Rep. LaTurner. "It's a tremendous honor to represent thousands of veterans across our state, and I will never stop fighting to ensure America's heroes get the care and benefits they deserve from the federal government."

Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill:

• Honors our commitment to veterans by:
  • Fully funding veterans’ health care programs; and
  • Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs, including the electronic health record modernization initiative.
  • Fully funding the PACT Act and toxic exposure-related needs for FY24.
• Supports a strong national security by:
  • Providing nearly $800 million above the Budget Request for military construction, focusing investments on barracks, child development centers, and family housing.
  • Maintaining two provisions prohibiting the closure or realignment of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Focuses the Executive Branch on its core responsibilities by:
  • Including new provisions prohibiting funds to lobby Congress, promote or advance critical race theory, and carry out divisive Executive Orders.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Original source can be found here.