[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 2, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2055) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes:

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 2055, the fiscal 
year 2012 Military Construction and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
Appropriations Act. This legislation, which provides $129.7 billion in 
funding for the VA, is critical for our veterans returning from 
multiple tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world, and 
all those who have so bravely and honorably served our nation in the 
Armed Forces, including the 46,370 veterans living in the 15th district 
of Michigan.
  There are a number of provisions in this bill with which I am 
pleased. First, it continues the Democratic-initiated effort to provide 
advance appropriations for the Veterans Health Administration so the VA 
may adequately plan for our veterans medical needs. Second, it builds 
on the previous Democratic Congresses' commitment to our veterans by 
providing funding to reduce the VA claims backlog, allow for quality 
medical care, and ensure the promise of a college education.
  I am particularly pleased efforts to weaken workers' rights were 
defeated during consideration of this legislation. Both a proposed ban 
on implementation of Project Labor Agreement requirements as well as a 
proposal to bar VA and the Department of Defense from enforcing the 
Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirement on contracts would have 
unjustly harmed middle class working families and led to poor 
construction on VA and DoD facilities.
  Mr. Chair, this legislation continues the Democrats tradition of 
caring for our veterans. This job is never done and at a time when we 
are engaged in conflicts around the world, it is imperative our current 
and former military men and women know that their government supports 
them.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our veterans by voting 
``yes'' on H.R. 2055.

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