[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5854) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 5854, the FY13 
Military Construction-VA Appropriations Act. This subcommittee has a 
strong record of bipartisan collaboration and I want to commend 
Subcommittee Chairman Culberson and Ranking Member Bishop for their 
leadership in advancing this important bill.
  However, I remain disappointed that the Republican Majority continues 
to depart from the spending caps agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 
2011, which already mandates deep spending cuts across the Federal 
budget. As we continue passing appropriations bills under the 
constraints of the Republican Budget Resolution, it is crucial that we 
protect our veterans and military families from any deep and harmful 
budget cuts. Members of the Committee were able to do so in this bill 
by providing ample funding for veterans healthcare, education, and 
construction improvements on our military bases. It also takes much 
needed action to improve the VA and Pentagon's health records sharing 
program.
  It is an honor to serve on the subcommittee that ensures that our 
armed forces, their families, and our veterans get the critical 
resources they have earned. After listening to veterans in my District 
and meeting with military families on bases across the country, I 
worked to further strengthen H.R. 5854 to reflect their priorities. I 
am pleased that this bill contains language that helps women veterans 
gain access to important medical needs, including prosthetics for women 
amputees. This bill also contains language that fully supports the 
Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments in their efforts to increase 
their use of clean alternative energy sources. Lastly, it encourages 
our military to continue their strong commitment to providing the best 
quality child care and housing on base.
  Although the Subcommittee reported a ``clean'' bill, I was 
disappointed that a harmful and unnecessary amendment restricting 
project labor agreements was adopted during Full Committee markup. I am 
strongly opposed to the inclusion of the provision and it is my hope 
that members vote to remove it before final passage of the legislation.
  America has a debt to pay for the service and sacrifices our veterans 
have made for all of us. The funding provided in this bill is 
absolutely essential to provide the services and support to all our 
veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We can 
and must meet our commitments to the millions of veterans, service 
members and their families here and across the world.
  Passage of this bill would help accomplish this and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.

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