CONGRESSMAN BISHOP FIGHTS TO PROTECT VETERANS’ PROGRAMS & INVESTMENTS IN MILITARY FACILITIES
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bishop voted against the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (FY24 MilConVA) funding bill which threatened the readiness and safety of U.S. military installations and the well-being of veterans, but it was narrowly approved by the U.S. House on a party-line vote.
“This bill, though it wears the mask of support for our military and veterans, fundamentally threatens the very fabric of the commitment we, as a nation, have made to these heroes. It weakens their safety, dilutes their quality of life, and dishonors the sacred promise we have made to each one of them and their families by slashing domestic investment in education, housing, job opportunities, and food assistance,” said Congressman Bishop. “Furthermore, this bill fails to protect our communities from toxic substances and makes our bases vulnerable to rising sea levels and storms, threatening our military readiness and ability to confront our adversaries across the world.”
Congressman Bishop has also warned his colleagues of the harmful effects on veterans that drastic cuts to education, housing, and healthcare programs – upon which veterans also rely – that are being proposed as part of other Fiscal Year 2024 federal funding bills.
FY24 MilConVA Funding Bill Fails to Safeguard Military Bases, Families, and Veterans
- It cuts $1.5 billion from military construction. Among the widespread affects this has on base facilities, it will reduce the number and quality of barracks, hospitals, and schools used by servicemembers and their families.
- It cuts $90 million needed by U.S. military installations to address climate change and cope with rising sea levels as well as stronger storms which threaten their integrity.
- It effectively cut $200 million, by eliminating dedicated funds, to clean up Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals, which poison drinking water and increase the incidence of cancer, liver damage, birth complications, and high blood pressure in military families and communities surrounding military bases.
- The bill blocks VA full reproductive health services for women and other services for minority veterans, compromising their quality of care and well-being.
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