[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 2016

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4974) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes:

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4974, the 
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017.
  Although I strongly support the bill's funding for programs that 
support our nation's service members and veterans, the legislation 
contained too many harmful provisions to earn my vote. Regrettably, the 
bill included language allowing federal contractors to discriminate 
against LGBT employees, as well as language to prevent the closing of 
the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. I was also concerned by the 
adoption of anti-labor amendments that will jeopardize the rights of 
workers on military construction projects.
  Though I oppose the final bill for those reasons, there were several 
provisions in the legislation that I support, including greater 
investments in providing care to our veterans, and funding for military 
housing, infrastructure, and other services to give our men and women 
in uniform and their families the facilities and care they deserve. I 
hope to work with my colleagues to improve this legislation as the 
appropriations process continues.

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